Porsche Cayenne
The Cayenne was co-developed with Volkswagen , who was also looking to add an SUV to their lineup, as a cost-sharing initiative. Volkswagen shares this chassis to underpin their Touareg sports utility vehicle, and Audi uses an extended version for their Q7 . There are numerous styling, equipment and technical differences between the three vehicles. The Cayenne shares only its base engine with the Touareg, and Porsche's version is substantially modified. There are currently 4 engines available in the Cayenne.
The turbocharged model has extremely high performance for an SUV. It is roughly as fast to 60 miles per hour as the company's Boxster S (about 5.2 seconds), and the new Tequipment special version will be faster still. Reviews indicate that the Cayenne handles remarkably well for a heavy SUV — better than the BMW X5 — whilst having a comfortable ride and, by some sources better off-road ability than BMW X5 , Mercedes and Infiniti . Those cars are unlike native off-road vehicles not meant to climb rock mountains and pass deep rivers (due to the price and comfort they offer) but are fully capable to drive "where man need". Many users of 4x4 cars reporting that car's ability to reach any skying or recreational center and being comfortable during general winter drive is all they need. Other ones buying such cars for increased safety, street overview and independancy on "planed route"
Porsche Cayenne
| Cayenne - Wheelbase (mm): 2855 Significant Developments: Introduced in 2003 with choice of normally-aspirated or twin-turbocharged 4.5-litre V8. Six-speed manual gearbox for S and six-speed Tiptronic S for Turbo (optional on S). Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), adjustable ride height, electronic damper control, differential locks, six-pot callipers, 18" alloys standard, 19" and 20" optional. Porsche Traction Management, PSM, ABS, ABD and ASR are all available. 2004: Introduced at the '03 Stuttgart Motor Show, the entry-level Cayenne is the first Porsche to sport V6 power. A reworked version of VW's Toureg unit, the 24-valve engine produces 250bhp and 288lb ft, transmitted through a six speedmanual transmission - the Cayenne is the only model to be offered without Tiptronic as standard. Steel springsare standard with PASM and air suspension an optional extra. The Cayenne is also fitted with smaller brake discs - 330mm compared to 350mm for the S and Turbo.
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CAYENNE: 2003 - TO DATE
A Porsche SUV? Yes, Stuttgart's finest leaps off-road with the V8 engined Cayenne. Entry-level 4.5-litre S is more than a match for BMW's range topping X54.6iS, while the 450bhp, twin turbo charged Cayenne Turbo is plain silly.
Six-speed manual and six-speed Tiptronic S gearboxes available. Sophisticated air suspension is standard fitment on Turbo, optional on S, and allows driver to control ride height and damper settings. Off -road ability is impressive, but not as impressive as how the Cayenne manages to hide its near 2.5-tonne bulk and drive like a well-sorted saloon car. Porsche set out to build the best SUV on the market, which the Cayenne undoubtedly is - once you've got past it's challenging looks, that is.
