The Porsche Cayenne is a five-seat mid-size luxury sport utility vehicle produced by the German automaker Porsche since 2002, with North American sales beginning in 2003. It is the first V8 engined vehicle built by Porsche since 1995, when the Porsche 928 was discontinued. Worldwide sales of the Cayenne are running at double the rate of 20,000 units per year that was originally forecast. Sixty percent more Porsches were sold in 2006 than were sold in 2002 thanks to the Cayenne model.

Porsche calls the 2008 model the 'second generation', however it is more of a technology transfusion, with many aspects including the interior and 4wd system remaining virtually identical.

All 2008 engines feature direct injection. The charge-cooling effect of direct fuel injection permits a higher compression ratio without the risk of detonation, which significantly improves horsepower and torque. Fuel consumption has been reduced approximately 1-2mpg across the range, even though the official window stickers say otherwise - the EPA changed its testing methodology in 2008. MPG is 14/20 for the base model. The drag coefficient is 0.35 Cd and all models get a power lift gate and a tire pressure monitoring system.

Design

Porsche intended the Cayenne to be the new benchmark for SUVs. The Cayenne's frame and doors are sourced from Volkswagen, who also use the frames and doors for the Volkswagen Touareg model. All other aspects of vehicle design, tuning, production are done in house at Porsche. VW also supplies this 'E platform' to Audi to underpin their Q7 model. The Cayenne shares only its V6 engine with the Touareg and Porsche's version is substantially modified.

2008 model range

There are currently 4 engines available in the Cayenne:

3.6 L 290 PS (273 ft•lbf) V6 from Volkswagen (Based on the unit offered in the VW & Audi but with modifications made to the intake, exhaust, timing systems and head)
4.8 L 385 hp (283 kW) 369 ft•lbf (500 N•m) V8 (S)
4.8 L 405 hp (298 kW) 369 ft•lbf (500 N•m) V8 (GTS)
4.8 L 500 hp (368 kW) 516 ft•lbf (700 N•m) twin-turbocharged V8 (Turbo)

Performance

On-road: The turbocharged model has extremely high performance for a sport utility vehicle. It will go from 0-60mph in 4.9 seconds, according to Car and Driver Magazine, which makes it faster than Porsche's own Cayman S. It's top speed is 171mph, making it the fastest production SUV in the world.

Car and Driver noted, "On-road, it's demonstrably better than BMW's X5." Car and Driver said, "The steering is 911 heavy, quick with only 2.7 turns and a tight turning circle, and has even more precision than the X5's. The Cayenne denies its mass by feeling quite maneuverable, even agile, but it's the ride comfort and body control that are most remarkable.

Off-road: The Cayenne Turbo come standard with low-range gearing, variable and locking center differential w/optional variable and locking rear differential, plus a traction computer which can distribute torque optimally. An enhanced off-road package is optional, which includes high-strength rock rails with integrated skid plates, a reinforced engine-bay guard, enhanced protection for the fuel tank and rear axle, and a second towing lug. For additional off-road protection, all models can be equipped with optional wheel-arch extensions with stylish black finish, and running boards with integrated skid plates.

Technology: Ride comfort is one area that usually suffers in a high performance vehicle. Porsche addresses this with their optional Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC). A system that originally just decoupled the stabilizer bars when the transfer case was in low range to allow for extra articulation when off-roading. From 2008 PDCC can still do this, but now it also helps comfort and control during on-road driving by continuously adjusting the influence of both stabilizer bars to suit any driving condition.

In corners, both bars firm up to limit body roll, holding it to virtually zero degrees in most situations. When the Cayenne is driven aggressively, the rear bar firms up more than the front one, improving the sport-ute's turn-in and reducing understeer. To forestall a loss of control in panic situations when the rear end loses grip, the front bar stiffens fully while the rear one decouples, helping to stabilize the vehicle.

PDCC pays dividends in the Cayenne's ride quality, too. On lumpy lanes, computer logic decides when to soften one or both bars to help the wheels respond to the pavement without tossing the passengers around. The computer can even generate forces in the suspension to neutralize external disturbances. The character of the PDCC's response is tied into the PASM's adaptive damping, which has three modes.

Edmunds.com was amazed at the ability of PDCC and PASM to cope with the narrow, bumpy mountain roads of Andalucía, "All three Cayenne variants went through the corners without a hint of body roll, while generating impressive grip."

All models feature Porsche Stability Management (PSM), with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Anti Slip Regulation (ASR), Automatic Brake Differential (ABD) and Engine Drag Torque Control (EDTC).

Variants

Cayenne (Base Model)
Its Volkswagen-sourced 3.6-liter V6 is massaged by Porsche to create more power for use in their base model Cayenne. The engine delivers 290 hp (220 kW) and modifications in the exhaust manifold allow it to peak at 6700 rpm. The 2008 Cayenne V6 will start at $44,295, making it the lowest price Porsche available.

Cayenne S
This has a normally aspirated 8-cylinder engine with an unusually high 12.5:1 compression ratio. A dry-sump lubrication system improves efficiency, while Porsche's VarioCam Plus variable timing extends the power band. The Cayenne S's 4.8-liter V8 produces some 385 hp (287 kW) and 369 ft•lbf (500 N•m) of torque, good for a 6.4 second time from 0-60mph and a top speed of 155 mph (249 km/h).

Cayenne GTS
Comes with a revised 405 horsepower (302 kW) 4.8-liter V8 good for a 0-60mph time of less than 6 seconds, a new sport suspension and 21-inch (530 mm) wheels. It slots between the Cayenne S and Cayenne Turbo, will also be lighter than the Cayenne S, and wear a new aerodynamic body kit. Its unique feature is a second row of bucket seats instead of the Cayenne's standard bench. This will also be the first V-8 Cayenne to offer a six-speed manual transmission in addition to the standard Tiptronic. The Cayenne GTS will be available in GTS Red and Nordic Gold Metallic with a sticker price of $69,300.

Cayenne Turbo & Cayenne Turbo S
Porsche built a Turbo S version only for the 2006 model year, partly to compete with the Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG, which produces 503 hp (375 kW), and accelerates from 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.8 seconds, and partly as a last "hoorah". But unlike the Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG, the Cayenne Turbo also includes a low-range case, a locking differential, and an off-road height adjustable suspension, which is also standard on the turbo model.

Hybrid
At the IAA 2005, Porsche announced it will produce a hybrid version of the Cayenne before 2010 (Porsche Cayenne Hybrid). Two years later, at the IAA 2007, Porsche presented a demonstration car of the Cayenne Hybrid and demonstration model of the Cayenne Hybrid's drivetrain (including all engines and batteries). Currently Porsche AG is preparing to introduce its Cayenne Hybrid to North American audiences at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

Recently, Michael Winkler, managing director of Porsche Australia, revealed that a hybrid Cayenne would be available in 2009.. 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. The Cayenne Hybrid is expected to achieve 9 L/100 km (26 mpg–U.S. / 31 mpg–imp) under tougher European standards.

Competition