Porsche’s Cayenne gets a comprehensive makeover
S MUCH as the purists threw up their hands in horror when it was first introduced in 2002, the Cayenne has been a huge success for Porsche with more than 303 000 sold to date.
Now Zuffenhausen has given its big SUV a general makeover, released last week in Europe and due in South Africa in time for Christmas in a five-model line-up: Cayenne S, Cayenne Diesel, Cayenne S Diesel, Cayenne Turbo and the Cayenne S EHybrid, which Porsche says is the first plug-in hybrid in the premium SUV segment.
A new power unit in the line up is a 3.6-litre biturbo petrol V6 (the same unit introduced in the new Macan – see story alongside). Powering the Cayenne S, it’s rated for 309kW – 15kW better than the baseline V8 it replaces – and 550Nm (+50Nm). With its standard eight-speed Tiptronic S transmission, the Cayenne S accelerates from 0100 in a claimed 5.5 seconds (5.4 with the optional Sport Chrono package) and hits 257km/h flat out, while sip-
Aping petrol at a claimed rate of less than 10 litres per 100km. The Cayenne S E-Hybrid is also a big improvement on the previous S Hybrid. The power of the electric motor has more than doubled from 34kW to 70kW, which combines with the 245kW supercharged three-litre V6 to deliver a total of 306kW and 590Nm. Performance is 123km/h on battery power alone, 0-100 in less than six seconds and 242km/h flat out on both, and a remarkably low 3.4 litres per 100km claimed for the combined cycle.
The Cayenne Turbo’s proven 4.8-litre twin-turbo petrol V8 has been tweaked to produce 382kW and 750Nm, taking the new Cayenne from 0-100 in 4.4 seconds (with the optional Sport Chrono package) and on to 277km/h, and burning 11.6 litres per 100km when driving a lot more sedately than that.
The Cayenne Diesel’s three-litre V6 is upped to 193kW and 580Nm, 0-100km/h in 7.3 seconds and 219km/h flat out, and 6.85 l/100km.
The 4.2-litre V8 engine in the Cayenne S Diesel raises those numbers to 283kW and 850Nm, 0-100 in 5.4 seconds and 250km/h, at a quoted cost of just more than eight litres per 100km.
A facelift gives the Cayenne’s front end more definition with a new bonnet and front wheel arches, while distinctive new airblades on the right and left of the front end guide air to the intercoolers. Cayenne and S models light the way with bi-xenon headlights and LED daytime running lights, while the Turbo boasts adaptive LED headlights as standard. Inside, there’s a new multi-function sports steering wheel with gear shift paddles as standard.
The new Cayenne models can be ordered now for delivery in November. Basic retail prices include a three-year Drive Plan. Cayenne S – R986 000 Cayenne Diesel – R921 000 Cayenne S Diesel – R1 151 000 Cayenne Turbo – R1 760 000 Cayenne S E-Hybrid – TBA - www.motoring.co.za