RED HOT RIDE
The Porsche Cayenne Coupe marries the agility and performance of the 911 with the luxury spacing of an SUV
The Porsche Cayenne Coupe Turbo promises thrills minus the spills
There’s this switch that’s flicked on, each time you step into a Porsche. It’s this silent adrenaline surge that courses through your veins as you hear the engine grunt. And when it’s a Cayenne Coupe with a phenomenally angry Turbo addition to it, there’s no containing the exuberance of stepping on the gas. The Coupe Turbo appears to be exactly what you’d expect in a Cayenne and then some. With a stylish roof that arches across before dropping down at the rear and a twin-spoiler configuration, it’s clear that Porsche means. And then there’s the Twin Turbocharged V8 engine that puts money where its mouth is. With the ability to go from still to 100 kmph in just 3.7 seconds, this is clearly the swiftest Coupe on Indian roads. With 541 ponies to power it through, one would think it would do poorly on sharp turns and slopes. So, I took the car for a spin along the tricky terrain of Nice’s countryside, complete with blind turns and rude ascensions, which would be a perfect test; it more than just thrived. After a tepid start, I was taking on the bends and turns with ease and speed. I almost forgot I was driving a 2 ton SUV and not a 911. The Turbo trim of the Cayenne, like the base model, comes with an 8-speed automatic gearbox. The steering is highly cooperative with intelligent adaptive responses based on the speed of the vehicle and improved aerodynamics to keep you glued to the road and well in control. The anti-roll bars in the suspension and the advanced torque-vectoring only improve the driving experience. To have the Turbo truly express itself, take on the flats and watch it leave behind nimble, self-proclaimed sports sedans to bite the dust. Given its 4-door configuration, it’s great for an Indian family. You may have a thing or two to deal with as you tame the beast with a family seated inside, but luxury and space are ample. Even with the sloping roof, I could accommodate my 6’1 frame in the rear seat, without feeling claustrophobic. The boot is fairly large and if you’re just two people driving you can alter the rear seat config to create enough room for a bicycle. Needless to say, the Cayenne Coupe Turbo comes with the sporty allure of a 911 while offering a lot more room. Call it an SUV, a hatch or a coupe, it doesn’t make any concessions in performance, style or staying true to a Turbo-injected Porsche.