Porsche Cayenne

The Porsche Cayenne is a mid-size luxury SUV produced by the German automaker Porsche since 2002. It is the first V8 engined vehicle built by Porsche since 1995, when the Porsche 928 was discontinued. Sales of the Cayenne have been strong, with 100,000 sold as of June 2005, becoming Porsche's best-selling vehicle in North America. 40% of Cayenne sales are in North America. Sales slowed by 2006. The Cayenne was skipped for the 2007 model year, but has been redesigned for 2008.



Design

The Cayenne was co-developed with Volkswagen, who were also looking to add a sports utility vehicle to their lineup, as a cost-sharing initiative. Volkswagen share this chassis (the E chassis) to underpin their Touareg sports utility vehicle, and Audi use an extended version for their Q7, although there are numerous styling, equipment and technical differences between the three vehicles. The Cayenne shares only its base engine with the Touareg, and Porsche's version is substantially modified. There are currently 4 engines available in the Cayenne:

* 3.2 L 240 PS (237 hp/177 kW) VR6 from Volkswagen (Based on the unit offered in the VW but with modifications made to the intake, exhaust, timing systems and head)
* 4.5 L 340 PS (335 hp/250 kW) V8 (S)
* 4.5 L 450 hp (340 kW) 460 ft·lbf (624 N·m) twin-turbocharged V8 (Turbo)
* 4.5 L 500 hp (370 kW) 515 ft·lbf (698 N·m) Tequipment twin-turbocharged V8
* 4.5 L 521 hp (389 kW) 531 ft·lbf (720 N·m) twin-turbocharged V8 (Turbo S)


Performance

The turbocharged model has extremely high performance for a sport utility vehicle. It is roughly as quick to 60 miles per hour as the company's Boxster S (about 5.2 seconds), and the new Tequipment special version will be faster still. Reviews indicate that the Cayenne handles remarkably well for a heavy SUV — much better than the BMW X5, which is saying something — whilst having a comfortable ride, and, by some sources, better off-road ability than BMW, Mercedes, and Infiniti. Those cars are, unlike native off-road vehicles, not meant to climb rock mountains and pass deep rivers (due to the price and comfort they offer) but are fully capable to drive "where man need". Many users of SUVs report that car's ability to reach any skiing or recreational center and being comfortable during general winter drive is all they need. Other reasons for buying such cars are increased safety, street overview, and independence on "planned route" - which is why many US-based SUVs and pickups lack even 4-wheel drive or self-locking differentials. The Cayenne does not therefore offer the level of off-road capability of Land Rover products.

The competence, however, comes at a cost, with the "S" V8 model being more expensive than a comparably-specified BMW X5, and the turbocharged model costing nearly US$90,200 before adding options, about as much as a fully equipped, V8 powered Mercedes-Benz S-Class. The Cayenne's rival in terms of cost and prestige is the Land Rover Range Rover, and to a lesser extent the BMW X5. The Mercedes-Benz M-Class and Audi Q7 regrettably fall short of this distinction. The success of the Cayenne has prompted Land Rover to develop the smaller, sportier, and but fully off-road capable Range Rover Sport as well as to offer a supercharged version of their top-range model.

The Cayenne comes standard with alloy rims from 17"-20" sizes and a variety of styles. The least-expensive Cayenne model comes standard with the 17" rims, but has the cability to upgrade to any of the four 18"-20" rims. An all-season tire is standard on the 17" rim, and available as a no-cost option for 18" rims. These are the wheels that are most suitable for off-road/snow use. Lower-profile, high performance tires are standard for wheels above 19". These tires would not be suitable for off-road/snow use. Porsche/Volkswagen jointly did extensive off-road testing with the Cayenne and Touareg and actually both are not so capable off-road even though. Both vehicles come standard with 4-wheel drive, a manually lockable center differential and a "low range" setting. Options to make the vehicles more capable off-road include an available air suspension system which can raise the car's ride height on command and an interior switch allowing the rear differential to be manually locked along with the center unit. At maximum ride height, the air suspension system gives the Cayenne 10.7 inches (272 mm) of ground clearance.


Cayenne Turbo S

Porsche introduced a higher-output Turbo S version at the 2006 Los Angeles Auto Show to compete with the Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG, which produces 510 hp (375 kW) and accelerates from 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.8 seconds. The Turbo S produces 520 hp (389 kW) and 531 ft·lbf (720 N·m), making it the second most powerful vehicle Porsche has ever built for the road, after the Carrera GT. It is able to accelerate to 60 mph quicker than the Cayman S at 5.1 seconds (mfg. claim). It releases 378 gCO2/km.

The Turbo S also has a recalibrated suspension, 20 inch wheels, and larger brake discs. It lowers 27 mm above 125 km/h and 11 mm more above 210 km/h.


Hybrid

At the IAA 2005, Porsche announced it will produce a hybrid version of the Cayenne before 2010.

Recently, Michael Winkler, managing director of Porsche Australia, revealed that a hybrid Cayenne would be available in Australia in 2009.[1]. Winkler also said that the system is designed to work with all of the engines in the Cayenne lineup. This means a hybrid Cayenne Turbo could be possible. The hybrid will only be mated to the all wheel drive system and won't be offered in any other models.


Controversy

Many Porsche enthusiasts are unhappy with the company for producing an SUV, seeing it as diluting the meaning of the brand. According to Wheels, a well-regarded Australian car magazine, the decision to develop the Cayenne was a contentious one for the company for this reason. Management reportedly felt, however, that the company needed a more dependable source of revenue than the fickle sports car market. Much of the disapproval from Porsche owners come from the joint development of the car with Volkswagen. Although both the Cayenne and Touareg are solid SUVs in the market today, many believe the Cayenne would be superior in many departments if developed solely by Porsche. Some believe the Touareg is a better executed car available for significantly less money. British motoring journalist Jeremy Clarkson put it: "It's not a bad car and in many respects it's a very good one, but just as no-alcohol lager defeats the objective, so does a Porsche off-roader. Can you imagine Land Rover producing a rear engined sports car? Exactly".

In May 2004, Porsche issued a recall on the Cayennes for seatbelts that do not function properly during a collision.

It is also rumored that Porsche could produce a second SUV, smaller, shorter, less powerful and based on the Audi Q5.


Engines:
3.6-liter V-6, 290-hp, 273-lb-ft
4.8-liter V-8, 385-hp, 369-lb-ft
4.8-liter turbo V-8, 500-hp, 516-lb-ft
All engines require premium fuel

Transmission:
Six-speed manual, six-speed automatic with clutch less shifting available.

EPA mileage:
3.6-liter: 14 mph city / 20 mpg highway
4.8-liter : 13mpg / 19 mpg
4.8-liter turbo: 12 mpg / 19 mpg

Notes:
An exceptional SUV with excellent performance but price rises sharply for fully loaded models.