Porsche’s ultra sporty SUV

The GTS sits between regular Cayenne models and the Turbo - so is it a great blend of both? Jack Evans finds out.

Though the motoring world is pushing each day for more electrification, Porsche believes there’s still a place for the ultra-sporty SUV. Yes, it makes the Taycan - the electric, face-bending plug-in supercar, as well as a series of hybrids - but the rest of its range is largely made up of big, powerful, expensive vehicles. And here’s another one - the Cayenne GTS Coupe - a sportier version of the firm’s high-end SUV, designed to slot neatly between the standard car and the full-fat Turbo version.

WHAT’S NEW?

The GTS moniker has been a long-standing feature in the Porsche line-up. It brings enhancements designed to make the driving experience even more involving and even more exciting. The Cayenne Coupe GTS is no different, as it gains a revised suspension setup as well as a powerful V8 engine. It’s all about the small tweaks here, which add up to make quite the difference.

WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE? HOW DOES IT LOOK?

If you want understated, played-down looks, go elsewhere. The Cayenne GTS Coupe isn’t for shrinking violets - but it does have a certain appeal in its brashness. The central-fit exhaust at the back is a divisive styling touch, as it appears to split the rear bumper in half. The Coupe styling itself is a real conversation starter, but those who would rather the GTS as a conventional SUV can have that in the standard Cayenne GTS. The front of the car is big and imposing, while the sheer bulk of it gives the GTS a fair degree of presence out on the road.

WHAT’S IT LIKE INSIDE?

The cabin is beautifully finished. It helps give an instant sense of occasion, while the frequent use of Alcantara throughout the interior adds to the car’s sporty, go-faster feel. Even the thin-rimmed steering wheel appears fresh from a racing model. Practicality-wise, it ticks the boxes too - there’s plenty of legroom in the back, while 625 litres of seats-up boot space and 1,540 litres of seats-down room means there’s more than enough area for luggage.

WHAT’S THE SPEC LIKE?

There’s a huge 12.3-inch infotainment screen set into the middle of the dash, and it’s both superbly clear to view and operate. It features Apple Carplay and Android Auto. There’s also Porsche’s Advanced Cockpit, which brings two seven-inch screens either side of the central rev counter. They’re intuitive and remarkably helpful; you can display the sat nav on the right-hand screen, meaning you can quickly see your upcoming turn without having to look down from the road.

THE VERDICT

It could be said that the world doesn’t really need the Cayenne GTS Coupe. It’s heavy, over-thetop and relatively thirsty. But the way Porsche executes cars like this makes you pleased they exist, even if it could be said that cars like this have their days very much numbered. But it’s here for now, and whoever wants to choose an SUV that’ll gladly out-pace most sports cars, while delivering enough room for four people and their luggage, will be rightly pleased with the Cayenne GTS Coupe.

WHAT’S UNDER THE BONNET?

The old Cayenne GTS utilised a V6 engine, but this has been dropped for the latest model in favour of a red-blooded 4.0-litre V8. As a result, both power and torque are up on the predecessor’s figure, with the new GTS now producing a healthy 454bhp and 620Nm, sent to all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic gearbox. 0-60mph takes just four seconds while flat-out it’ll do 168mph. Of course, an engine of this size and power in a car as weighty as the GTS means it’s not going to be the most efficient of vehicles. Claimed fuel economy is 24.8mpg (which will drop considerably when you drive the GTS as it’s meant to be driven), while CO2 emissions stand at 260g/km. That said, Porsche has fitted the Cayenne Coupe with a stop-start system that tries to chime in at every opportunity - no matter how small the pause in motion is.