Porsche SUV handles like a sports car
Porsche has a new addition to the 2014 Cayenne SUV lineup, and it fits in right at the top. It’s the Cayenne Turbo S, for those with the money to drive only the best.
The “S” designation on the existing Cayenne Turbo adds 50 more horsepower to the 4.8-litre twin turbocharged and intercooled engine, giving it a total of 550 ponies to get you moving. Along with that comes 553 ft lbs. of torque starting at just 2,250 rpm, so pulling power is strong too. The Cayenne Turbo S is built for drivers that want high end sports car-like power and handling but the utility and off-road capability of an SUV.
I tested the Cayenne Turbo S during some of Saskatoon’s coldest weather and slipperiest road conditions. With 550 horsepower, I predicted I would be all over the road at the lightest touch of the throttle but I was completely wrong. The advanced traction and chassis control systems kept the SUV under control even when I knew I was stepping too hard on the throttle. In fact the Turbo S was so easy and comfortable to drive, that Grandma, who isn’t a great winter driver, would have no problem with this vehicle on any road surface.
Pulling away from an icy intersection was smooth, with no wheel spin or sudden vehicle reactions, even when driven aggressively. Would I want to turn off the stability management systems and try that? Not on your life. Even on dry pavement, there is more than enough power to lose control by spinning all four tires of this all-wheel drive vehicle when the electronics are not turned on to help you.
Porsche uses a combination of systems to provide control, traction and ride comfort in the Turbo S. Air suspension and active suspension management can raise or lower the vehicle and adjust shock damping for various road conditions.
Going off-road or over rutted streets? You can raise the body height with the touch of a button on the centre console. The vehicle automatically lowers when speeds increase so the vehicle retains its stability. A “Load” position lowers the vehicle for easier entry or loading cargo and it returns to the normal height as the vehicle drives away. Porsche’s Dynamic Chassis Control almost eliminates body roll in corners, giving it that sports car-like feel, while Torque Vectoring Plus varies the torque to each rear wheel to give it steering agility you would find hard to believe in a 4,784 pound vehicle.
This may be a five-passenger SUV but it really does handle like a sports car. Getting the power from the engine to the road is accomplished through an eightspeed PDK transmission. This transmission uses computer-controlled dual clutches and solenoids to shift the manual transmission through the gears. It drives like a very quick shifting automatic gearbox but has the economy and performance of a standard transmission. Paddle shifters behind the sports steering wheel allow instant gear selections at any time.
The active transfer case directs the power to the rear wheels for that sports-car feel, but uses a multi-plate clutch to send power to the front axle to maintain traction and stability when needed. Large 295/35R, 21-inch tires connect with the ground and the winter tires on our test vehicle did an exceptional job. A few distinctive exterior touches identify the Turbo S from other Cayenne models, such as the gloss black air intake grilles, headlight housings and mirrors, but it remains a subtle difference.
Inside, the two-tone black and red leather interior provides a wow factor while being comfortable and functional. Memory, power front seats have both heating and cooling, while the rear seats are heated. A huge panoramic sunroof provides a wonderful view of the sky and power-operated shades block the sun on the sunroof and rear seat windows.
As a top-end, luxury vehicle, you would expect a full load of features and the Cayenne complies, with Navigation, auto climate control, hill descent control, Sport driving mode and touch unlock/lock feature on the door handles.
Pricey — yes. Capable — extremely so. Desirable — clean styling, a wonderful interior, great comfort and performance would make this a Yes as well.