The Porsche Cayenne is the best selling model from a company not traditionally known for building SUVs. Now in its second generation since its introduction in 2002, it has been one of several successful game changers from the boutique sporting arm of Volkswagen Group.
The Porsche faithful scoffed at the idea of an off-road capable SUV, and later at the idea of a four-door sedan ( Porsche Panamera, in case you aren't paying attention). But, hey, who ever thought the two vehicles would become the best selling in the lineup from"¦ a sports car builder?
To find out, we spent some time behind the wheel of the range-topping Cayenne Turbo model, the one you'll want if Porsche performance, room for five and go-anywhere ability are all on your checklist.   Â
What is it?
A five passenger SUV, the Porsche Cayenne Turbo is the hot rod of the line. As previously mentioned, the original design was done in cooperation with Audi AG and Volkswagen Group for their Audi Q7 and Porsche Touareg, respectively.
The second generation debuted last year as a 2011 model, and while it looks rather like a smoothed-out version of its predecessor, there are some pretty big changes under the skin.
What's it up against?
This is almost like the case of a parent attempting to devour its young.
In this case, we have the aforementioned Volkswagen Touareg and the Audi Q7. Beyond that we have the Land Rover Range Rover Sport Supercharged, the now-departed Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8, BMW X5M and the Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG. And that does not even take into consideration the lesser versions like the six-cylinder, Cayenne and the Hybrid Cayenne, the regular Jeep Grand Cherokee or the less powerful Range Rover models.
Really, though, if it's maximum performance in an SUV, it's hard to top this one.
Any breakthroughs?
This Porsche is a great example of compact design and packaging. With the 2011 Cayenne, less is clearly more. The designers in Stuttgart have managed to make the 2011 model appear smaller than it really is, when in reality, it is larger than the model it replaces. Interior design cues borrow from the interior found in the new Porsche Panamera four-door sedan.
Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus is now part of the drivetrain that can be optionally added to work in conjunction with the active all-wheel-drive system. It uses variable torque distribution on the rear wheels to keep things stiff and upright through challenging turns. On second thought, that sounds like it belongs in an erotic thriller.
Other breakthroughs include a Burmester Audio system as an available option in place of an already good Bose system.
How does it look?
Porsche's new design standards have yielded a new SUV that is more organic in shape than the previous model. Gone are the rigid Teutonic flavorings of the past. In their place, is a new more rounded shape that smoothes off any rough edges.
Our Cayenne Turbo example featured the "Billy Big Mouth Bass" gaping grille work under the bumper but just above the stylized skid plates. The headlights resemble those found on other Porsche models, and LED lights are now combined with the Porsche Dynamic Lighting system for a completely new light show. The Cayenne's hips, or shoulders as they like to call them, are not as pronounced as before which lends a new, more handsome look.
Anymore, it looks like the only sharp lines on the Cayenne are the two creases in the hood. The overall length has increased 1.9 inches with 1.6 of those going to stretch the wheelbase. Hey, an inch-and-a-half is an inch-and-a-half.
And on the inside?
Our Cayenne Turbo featured a black-on-black look to the interior, although Porsche offers these digs in every shade under the sun - for a price. Except for the blingy trim on the doors and dashboard, a so-equipped Cayenne Turbo interior is almost like looking for a raven in a coal mine, so we might recommend opting for something with a bit more spice to it.
The dashboard features a traditional five-gauge layout that reminds Porschephiles of the earliest 911 models. A no-nonsense three-spoke sport wheel occupies the driver's attention zone, but we were curious why there were no redundant Bluetooth controls.
The center console has been vaguely influenced by designs found in the Porsche Panamera. A seven-inch diagonal infotainment touchscreen controls navigation, Bluetooth phone controls (there they are!), and audio settings. Climate controls are on the console's outside wings and can operate in unison or as separate zones. Below the gated shift lever are controls for the Porsche Active Suspension Management system, which provides the driver with active damper controls to select comfort, normal or sport settings. Beneath these controls are buttons for traction control, and the engine Auto Start/Stop function - a feature common overseas but unusual in anything but a Porsche here.
The Cayenne's front seats feature a multitude of adjustments including bolster support for under thigh and back. The rear bench seat is movable forward and aft up to 6 inches with the seatback reclining up to six-degrees. With the rear seat upright, behind-seat cargo space is 23.7-cubic ft. Fold the rear seat forward, and the space increases to 60.2-cubic ft.
Materials and execution are top notch, as we would expect at these prices.
But does it go?
Well, with "go" being a relative term, it depends on your perspective. Our perspective says that 500 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 516 lb-ft. of torque in the range of 2,250 to 4,500 rpm, is downright monstrous for any sort of SUV, much less any other type of vehicle. Power is transmitted from the 4.8-liter twin-turbo V8 to a full-time all-wheel-drive system, by an eight-speed Tiptronic S transmission with auto start/stop function. We remember the days when commercials for oil additives used to warn us about how bad it was every time we started and stopped the engines. We've come a long way.
The suspension setup is a double wishbone in front with power assisted rack and pinion steering, There is an independent MultiLink setup in the rear. Overall, it uses spring struts and airbags with self-leveling and height management, through the Porsche Active Suspension Management system.
Our Cayenne Turbo was equipped with 21-inch 911 Turbo II wheels with arch extenders, and the Porsche carbon ceramic brake package, which combined will set you back about $13-large, or the price of a decent Hyundai. With 15.3-inch discs in front and 14-inch platters in the rear, the brakes were as effective as a brick wall in stopping the vehicle. This is now combined with Porsche PTV Plus, which is that torque vectoring system that applies braking to an inner rear wheel when the traction management system senses slippage on less than ideal surfaces. We could feel the subtle inward tug from the right rear axle while rounding a right hand turn.
With a curb weight of 4,784 lbs., and a towing payload of 7,716 lbs., the Cayenne is definitely no featherweight.
Porsche says this lead sled achieves 0 to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds, and does so with a 23-percent increase in fuel economy. Our times were nearly a half second slower, although it's still plenty fast. The EPA says this one's good for 15-city/22-highway in the mpg department, but again with our moderately heavy size 11.5 shoe, the best we saw was 14 city/20 highway.
With the price as tested of $128,610, ownership presumes that fuel prices are a moot point anyway. Regardless, where else will you see an SUV that is capable of 172 mph?
Why you would buy it:
Your other car was a 911, and you got tired of poking behind big, boxy SUVs. So in a fit of "if you can't beat them, join them" rage, you decided you were going to lead them.
Why you wouldn't:
You have lived under a rock since 2002 and didn't know Porsche made an SUV.
Leftlane's bottom line:
Porsche. There is no substitute, no matter the class.
The Cayenne Turbo is an expensive way to get your jollies, but it delivers performance, handling and an impressive sense of all-around darn-near-perfection that makes it seem like a bargain at any price.
2011 Porsche Cayenne Turbo base price, $106,000. As tested, $128,610.
Words and photos by Mark Elias.
Premium Package Plus, $5,320; Sport Package, $3,500; Exterior High Gloss Black Package, $150; Ceramic Brakes, $3,965; Destination, $975.
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