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The Porsche Cayenne is an SUV automobile made by 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 bestselling vehicle in North America. 40% of Cayenne sales are in North America.
Design
The Cayenne was co-developed with Volkswagen, who were also looking to add an SUV to their lineup, as a cost-sharing initiative. Volkswagen share this 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 (247 hp/184 kW) VR6 from Volkswagen (Based on the unit offered in the VW but with modifications made to the intake, exhaust and timing systems and heads)
- 4.5 L 340 PS (335 hp/250 kW) V8
- 4.5 L 450 hp (340 kW) 460 ft·lbf (624 N·m) twin-turbocharged V8
- 4.5 L 500 hp (370 kW) 515 ft·lbf (698 N·m) Tequipment twin-turbocharged V8 (Turbo)
- 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 an SUV. It is roughly as fast 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 — better than the BMW X5 — whilst having a comfortable ride and, by some sources better off-road ability than BMW X5, 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 SUV/SAV cars reporting 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 for increased safety, street overview and independency on "planned route" - which is why many US based SUVs and pickups lack even 4-wheel drive or self-locking differentials.
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 $90,200 USD before adding options, about as much as a fully equipped, V8 powered Mercedes-Benz S-Class. The Cayenne's closest rivals in terms of cost and prestige are the Land Rover Range Rover and Mercedes-Benz M-Class. The success of the Cayenne has prompted Land Rover to develop the smaller, sportier, and less 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 vareity 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 wheels are standard for wheels above 19". These wheels would not be suitable for off-road/snow use. Porsche/Volkswagen jointly did extensive off-road testing with the Cayenne and Touraeg and both are in actuality extremely capable off-road. Both vehicles are 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 (272mm) of ground clearence.
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. It 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 4.8 seconds (mfg. claim).
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.
Controversy
Some 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.
In May 2004, Porsche issued a recall on the Cayennes for seatbelts that do not function properly during a collison.
At the IAA 2005, Porsche announced it will produce a hybrid version of the Cayenne before 2010.
It is also rumored that Porsche could produce a second SUV, a mini-Cayenne based on the Audi Q5.
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