The FINANCIAL — A sharper design, boosted efficiency and extensive set of standard features: Those are the key characteristics of the new Porsche Cayenne. As a sports car among sport utility vehicles (SUVs), besides offering five seats and extensive high-end features, it primarily offers a lot of room for a lot of driving fun. With high performance and typical Porsche design DNA, according to Porsche Cars North America, Inc.
The new generation of the Cayenne will launch on the market in five versions: Cay-enne S, Cayenne Turbo, Cayenne Diesel, Cayenne S Diesel and – in a world premiere – the Cayenne S E-Hybrid2), which is the first plug-in hybrid in the premium SUV segment. This model, together with the Panamera S E-Hybrid and the 918 Spyder, make Porsche the world’s only carmaker to offer three plug-in hybrid models. All Cayenne engine versions show improved performance figures as well as better fuel economy than comparable previous versions. A new engine is the 3.6-litre V6 biturbo of the Cayenne S that was fully developed by Porsche, according to Porsche Cars North America, Inc.
The Cayenne is a unique success story at Porsche. The company introduced the first generation in 2002. This vehicle made the idea of a sports car in the SUV segment a reality – and it set standards right from the start. Sales have exceeded all expectations: Over 276,000 first generation vehicles were produced (2002 to 2010), and around 303,000 units of the second generation, which was introduced in 2010, have already been produced so far. So the Cayenne is not only boosting profitable growth at Porsche, it is also creating a solid economic foundation for investments in future generations of sports cars.
Sharpened exterior design
In its latest version, Porsche designers have given the Cayenne an even sharper design with precise lines and purposefully placed light refracting edges. Entirely new are the design of the front body, the front wings and the bonnet. Also new are the airblades: These air fins on the right and left of the vehicle’s front end efficiently guide cooling air to the intercoolers and also make a strong visual statement, according to Porsche Cars North America, Inc.
At first glance, the new Cayenne can be clearly made out as a Porsche by its bi-xenon headlights, which are standard in the base and S models, with “hovering” four-point LED daytime running lights that are typical of Porsche. The high performance standard of the top model, the Cayenne Turbo, is emphasised by standard LED headlights with the Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS).
The rear section of the new Cayenne was also thoroughly updated: the layout of the rear lights creates a three-dimensional effect; the brake lights – like the LED daytime running lights in front – are designed in four elements. The license plate recess, boot handle and lights are now integrated more elegantly into the boot lid. Designers also re-designed the car’s horizontal lines, giving the vehicle an even fuller stance on the road. The newly designed exhaust tailpipes are now integrated in the lower rear section. An automatically activating boot lid is a standard feature.
In the interior, designers devoted much of their effort to the driver’s space – the driver now gets a new multifunction sport steering wheel with shift paddles as standard; its look and functions are based on the steering wheel of the 918 Spyder. They also made the rear seating system even more comfortable, and seat ventilation can now be ordered as an option for the rear seats, according to Porsche Cars North America, Inc.
Better efficiency
Power and torque were boosted while improving fuel economy, enabled by numerous individual modifications to the entire drivetrain: for Porsche these are not incompatible or contradictory goals. For instance, all new Cayenne models consume significantly less fuel, because of a coasting function, the further advanced “auto stop-start function plus” and optimised thermal management. Active cooling air flaps are now being used for the first time in the Cayenne models. They are located behind the middle air inlet and are controlled by engine management. They are opened or closed according to the specific driving situation and cooling needs; this way they adjust the air volume that is available for cooling. When they are closed they improve aerodynamics, which reduces air drag and thereby improves fuel economy, according to Porsche Cars North America, Inc.
The Cayenne Turbo is characterised by a high level of performance readiness, uninterrupted forward thrust and an ability to handle any driving situation. 4.8-litre engine displacement, eight-cylinders and biturbo boost result in engine power of 520 hp (382 kW) at 6,000 rpm, its torque is 750 Newton metres from 2,250 to 4,000 rpm. This lets the Cayenne Turbo accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in just 4.5 seconds (4.4 seconds with the optional Sport Chrono package). Its top speed is 279 km/h. Fuel consumption is 11.5 to 11.2 l/100 km (267-261 g/km CO2).
Chassis tuning of the new Cayenne was optimised for even greater comfort, naturally without compromising its dynamic pace. This makes the spread between comfort and sportiness even greater than before – and it validates the Cayenne claim to being the sports car in the SUV segment.
The new Cayenne models will launch on the market starting October 11, 2014. In Germany, the Cayenne Diesel will cost € 66,260, the Cayenne S € 80,183, the Cay-enne S Diesel € 82,087 and the Cayenne Turbo € 128,378. The Cayenne S E-Hybrid will cost € 82,087, which is exactly the price of a Cayenne S Diesel – and is around € 1,000 less than the price of the previous Cayenne S Hybrid. This was made possible by synergistic effects realised by Porsche in the area of hybrid technology. Therefore, effective immediately the price of the Panamera S E-Hybrid is being lowered by over € 6,000 to € 104,221. Cited prices include VAT and country-specific features, according to Porsche Cars North America, Inc.
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