Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT Coupé; Ineos Grenadier; Lotus Emira; Ferrari 296 GTB; BMW 2 Series Coupé; Lamborghini Aventador LP 780-4 Ultimae; E-legend EL1; Upcoming models

The fastest production SUV around the Green Hell, Porsche’s most peppery Cayenne – the Turbo GT Coupé – adds some serious spice

Equipped with the most powerful V8 in Porsche’s portfolio (the S E-hybrid’s petrol engine produces 500 kw with the assistance of an electric motor), the 471 kw Cayenne Turbo GT Coupé is the fastest production SUV to ever lap the treacherous Nürburgring Nordschleife. With Porsche test driver and ‘ring expert Lars Kern behind the wheel, the Turbo Gtbadged Cayenne recorded a time of 7 minutes 38,9 seconds around the Green Hell, besting the previous record-holder – the Audi RS Q8 – by 3,328 seconds.

However, to achieve this feat, Porsche not only increased the power output of the twinturbopetrol 4,0-litre unit, but the firm also re-engineered the passive chassis components and active control systems for optimal handling. There’s increased body rigidity, an evolution of the threechamber air-suspension setup, new rear-axle steering, uprated software for Porsche’s dynamic chassis control, modified traction management and a faster-shifting eight-speed gearbox. For improved aerodynamics, the Turbo GT’S adaptive rear spoiler is 25 mm larger than that of the Turbo Coupé.

Available exclusively in fourseater coupé guise, it is 17 mm lower to the ground than the non-gt Cayenne Turbo Coupé. As standard, it wears a set of 22-inch alloy wheels, shod in Pirelli P Zero Corsa rubber, specially developed for this application. Stopping power is provided by standard-fitment carbon-ceramic composite brakes. Various weight-saving measures have been applied, too, such as a carbon-fibre roof, side plates and rear diffuser. Ironically, despite all this, the Turbo GT tips the scales at 20 kg more than the Turbo.