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Porsche Cayenne: more powerful, more fuel efficient for ‘08
The Porsche Cayenne is now in its second generation entering the 2008 model year. The Cayenne combines both the utility of a wagon and the heart of a sports car with three model choices, including a 500 hp turbo version.
Leisure
Dec 13, 2007 10:37 PM
2008 Porsche Cayenne
By: Lorne Drury
By now, most Porsche fans have resigned themselves to the fact that their beloved sports car maker has surrendered to the masses and entered the sport utility marketplace.
Of course, we're talking here about the Porsche Cayenne, which believe it or not is entering its second generation with the 2008 model year.
Many thought the people at Porsche had lost their minds in 2003 when the Cayenne model was first introduced. A sport utility? How could they?
Well, they could and they did and they've done it quite successfully I might add.
Sales figures up to the end of November in Canada show the Cayenne now makes up the largest-selling segment in the Porsche lineup, ahead of the iconic 911 and even the Boxster/Cayman models.
In fact, the Cayenne, Cayenne S and Cayenne Turbo has accounted for about 40 per cent of overall sales in Canada with 761 units hitting the streets year-to-date. That compares with 631 911s and 485 Boxster/Caymans.
What is most impressive is that even though sport utility sales are starting to slip industry wide due to changing consumer demands and higher fuel costs, Cayenne sales have actually increased. In Canada, sales are up considerably from 541 sold last year at this time.
So what's new with the Cayenne for 2008?
For starters there's a new face with dramatic new headlight design and a wide, muscular body with broad wheel arches. In short, this is a vehicle that stands out in a crowd- just like all Porsches.
However, it's what's under the hood that really matters and probably even more so in a Porsche.
For 2008, the Cayennes boast engines that are larger, more powerful and Porsche says more fuel-efficient than their predecessors thanks to direct fuel injection.
The base Porsche Cayenne has a 3.6L V6 with 290 hp and 283 lb/ft of torque. The mid-level Cayenne S gets a 4.8L V8, generating 385 hp and 369 lb/ft of torque.
At the top of the heap is the Cayenne Turbo, a twin-turbocharged 4.8L V8 with a neck-snapping 500 hp and 516 lb/ft of torque.
For techies in the crowd, direct fuel injection isn't the only thing new for 2008. The Cayenne can now be equipped with the Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control that includes active anti-roll bars to improve handling and offset body roll in turns.
Other new features include Dynamic Curve Lights (standard on the Cayenne Turbo and optional on other models) that are designed to enhance a driver's view at night on winding roads.
Porsche Stability Management is standard on all models and includes new functions such as pre-loading of the braking system when needed, new Trailer Stability control and off-road ABS.
On the safety front, Cayennes now have a rollover sensor, which, in an emergency, triggers both the belt latch tensioners and curtain airbags to reduce the risk of injury for all occupants in a rollover. Also standard this year is a push-button Sport mode for all engines, a standard power rear lift gate and optional 21-inch wheels, a rail-mounted cargo management system and XM Satellite Radio.
I haven't yet had a chance to sample the Turbo version, but I recently spent a week with both the Cayenne and Cayenne S models.
With the S you basically get a more powerful and upscale version of the base model. Porsche figures show an almost equal sales mix of these models year-to-date in Canada.
The Cayenne is way beyond my price range, but personally, I'd opt for the base model because the power is adequate for my needs. However, I imagine some who go for the S model are looking for that extra power to tow a boat or travel trailer. The Cayenne has a towing capacity rating of 3,500 kg (7,716 lb).
Competing in a growing segment of the market against the likes of the Cadillac SRX, BMW X5, Audi Q7, Mercedes-Benz M Class and the new Buick Enclave, luxury does come at a price. The base Cayenne starts at $55,200 but options add up quickly as my tester topped out at $72,845. Likewise, the Cayenne S starts at a base $72,200, but was $91,655 as tested. The Cayenne Turbo starts at $115,300.
The cabin contains all the bells and whistles one would expect from a vehicle in this class, but with a bit less of a luxurious look than many of its competitors. There's also no third-row seating, which could throw off some potential purchasers.
Nevertheless, it's a pleasant and comfortable interior and the Cayenne, despite its size, is equally at home in city or highway driving.
Both testers had the steering wheel-mounted six-speed Tiptronic paddle shifters. You can also manually work the centre-console mounted shift lever.
Of course, performance is where it's at with any Porsche and the Cayenne doesn't disappoint.
I can only imagine what the Turbo is like, but the Cayenne S has acceleration that Porsche claims will take it from 0-100 km/h in 6.4 seconds (the turbo does it in 4.9 seconds). Pretty impressive for a vehicle that weighs 2,250 kg (4,950 lb).
So although the Cayenne does have its drawbacks, Porsche sales figures show there are growing numbers of buyers who want a luxury SUV that handles and performs like a sports car.
The Cayenne delivers on both accounts. As Porsche boasts in its press material, the Cayenne puts the "sport in sport utility."
2008 PORSCHE CAYENNE AT A GLANCE
BODY STYLE: mid-size luxury sport utility vehicle
DRIVE METHOD: front-engine, all-wheel drive
ENGINE: Cayenne 3.6L V6 (290 hp, 283 lb/ft); Cayenne S 4.8L V8 (385 hp, 369 lb/ft); Cayenne Turbo, 4.8L twin-turbocharged V8 (500 hp, 516 lb/ft)
PRICE: Cayenne $55,200, Cayenne S $72,200, Cayenne Turbo $115,300.
WEBSITE: www.porsche.com