RE: Porsche Cayenne Turbo - Frankfurt 2017
Tuesday 12th September 2017
You know that little box you can tick when you book a flight, the one that says you'll pay a little extra to plant some trees and offset your carbon footprint? Performance SUVs should be like that box. For every Giulia Quadrifoglio we must plant 10 Stelvios, every Continental GT3-R takes 20 Bentaygas, and every 4.0-litre, manual GT3 requires offsetting with a few dozen Cayennes and Macans. Balance is maintained, and those of us who want to continue spending money on objectively frivolous, but subjectively wonderful, experiences can do so. So rather than bemoaning the existence of the new Cayenne Turbo, as many petrolheads are wont to do, we should embrace it as the Yin to the 918's Yang, without which we would be deprived of seeing cars like this.
Those windows really are tinted, aren't they?So, let's get down to it. This is the all-new Cayenne Turbo. It's powered by a 4.0-litre, 'hot-V' twin-turbo V8 (not the AMG one, but using similar tech), putting out 550hp and 570lb ft (versus 530hp and 555lb ft previously). 0-62mph is taken care of in 4.1 seconds - down from 4.5 - but that figure can be reduced further still, the addition of the Sport Chrono Package taking it as low as 3.9 seconds. Top speed is 177mph.
Wonder what it will do at the 'ring?Externally the styling is caught up to the rest of Porsche's current line up, most noticeably at the rear where the somewhat bulbous form of the old car is sharpened up with that now familiar design. It's joined by 21-inch wheels, twin exhausts and a double row of DRLs at the front, all of which are unique to the Turbo. Inside, an all-new interior features 18-way power adjusted seats, a multi-function steering wheel and a 710 watt Bose Surround sound system.
Porsche Cayenne Turbo - Frankfurt 2017
Well if you want manual GT3s then Porsche needs to sell Cayennes - here's the latest
Those windows really are tinted, aren't they?
That hot-V design is important here too; it not only allows for improved throttle response but also for a smaller engine unit, positioned lower in the car than before. Probably why everyone is doing it now... Combined with the new 'lightweight' chassis, three chamber adaptive air suspension, and Porsche's Torque Vectoring Plus technology, that lower centre of gravity ought to have a noticeable effect on how the Cayenne Turbo handles - which is no bad thing. Optional automatic body roll stabilisation and rear-wheel steering taking things further still.
Monstrous acceleration and "the driving dynamics of a sports car" are all well and good, but no matter how lightweight that chassis is, you still fancy it'll take some stopping. Luckily there are high performance, tungsten carbide coated, brakes as standard with ceramic discs optional. And that's not all, the Cayenne Turbo now comes equipped with an active roof spoiler - think of those manual GT3s and don't mock - which, when in the airbrake position, shortens the stopping distance from 155mph by two whole metres. Likely as frequent an occurrence on the Autobahn as slowing from 30 to 25mph on the M3...
Wonder what it will do at the 'ring?
So, should you be interested, the new Cayenne Turbo is available to order from today with prices starting at £99,291. And thank you, if you do buy one, on behalf of everyone who'll love the next Cayman GT4.
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Discussion
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Exactly. It's not like the Cayennes were free to develop either. Every model will have to butter it's own bread, so to speak.But Porsche is a business that wants to make as much money as possible, like anyone, so they expanded the range to include Cayennes, Macans etc a while back.
I think this 'the SUVs pay for the 911' nonsense is probably something lost in translation from a Porsche exec more than a decade ago. More likely it was meant that they help Porsche be more profitable or something.
varsas said:
I wonder how desirable the Cayenne would be if the Porsche name wasn't associated with the 911 and other sports cars...I reckon the Cayenne needs the 911 more than the 911 needs the Cayenne...
Blimey, not all SUV buyers are that shallow.I wanted a SUV, the Cayenne had the best performance and handling, I bought one.
(Also, I owned a Cayenne before I owned a 911 - go figure).
breadvan said:
varsas said:
I wonder how desirable the Cayenne would be if the Porsche name wasn't associated with the 911 and other sports cars...I reckon the Cayenne needs the 911 more than the 911 needs the Cayenne...
Blimey, not all SUV buyers are that shallow.I wanted a SUV, the Cayenne had the best performance and handling, I bought one.
(Also, I owned a Cayenne before I owned a 911 - go figure).
Like you my first Porsche was an SUV (Macan Turbo) and I loved it. Much to the dismay no doubt of the " genuine Porsche owners"
varsas said:
I wonder how desirable the Cayenne would be if the Porsche name wasn't associated with the 911 and other sports cars...I reckon the Cayenne needs the 911 more than the 911 needs the Cayenne...
A rather simplistic view unfortunately....lots of tech shared across all platforms. Things like PCM, safety systems etc etc That stuff is expensive to develop and much easier to invest in when you're selling a few hundred thousand cars rather than 60,000 or 70,000 sports cars Porsche make. And Porsche can do a lot better deals with suppliers beacsuse it builds so many cars across all platforms. breadvan said:
Blimey, not all SUV buyers are that shallow.
I wanted a SUV, the Cayenne had the best performance and handling, I bought one.
(Also, I owned a Cayenne before I owned a 911 - go figure).
Brace yourself for a patronising education of why you should have bought a dull estate car for its lower weight and centre of gravityI wanted a SUV, the Cayenne had the best performance and handling, I bought one.
(Also, I owned a Cayenne before I owned a 911 - go figure).
rockin said:
Base Cayman at £42,900 looks like a loss leader to me. No way can you engineer and build a quality sportscar at that price and make any kind of profit.
Compare - new TVR "from £90,000" or Lotus Evora "from £73,500".
Base Cayman will still be very profitable. You can't compare what is (comparatively speaking) a volume production car vs low volume specialist cars like the TVR or Lotus. There's a massive amount of parts sharing with Boxsters and 911s which also enables savings to be made.Compare - new TVR "from £90,000" or Lotus Evora "from £73,500".
This is why it is so difficult for a new manufacturer to come along and compete- they have no economy of scale and will end up competing on price with Ferrari for an inferior product and no brand cache- think of Noble for example. Not doubting the way it drives but they would never get close on overall quality/reliability etc. of a major marque
If I recall correctly from a few years ago, the 911 turbo was the most profitable Porsche being built (essentially a standard 911 with many go faster bits and most of the options list)- cost to build was in the region of 25K I believe)
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Correct. The argument that Porsche SE needs to sell large numbers of diesel vans in order to be able to sell a 911 is 15 years out of date and complete tosh. First of all, as you say, the sports cars sell with enough raw, net margin to deliver a huge profit. They are wholly self sufficient. Secondly, as part of a larger automotive group that most specialises in selling middlenof the road utility vehicles there is absolutely no need for the Porsche sub brand to do likewise. And thirdly, the Group could finance Porsche sports cars from VW and Audi SUV sales if needed.
The mass production of non performance vehicles with Porsche badges on them is nothing more than brand whoring profiteering. It is about selling the Porsche history and brand to people who cannot afford Porsche performance.
Now, that said, I fervently believe that this particular SUV has a true and legitimate place in Porsche's line up. I don't believe that Porsche should only make rear engined sports cars. Personally, I see the Porsche brand as standing for solid engineering and class leading performance. I don't see any issue with Porsche building SUVs, jetskis, tables, spoons, tampons or anything but each and every product must represent key Porsche values. That means it has to be well engineered and high performance.
The Cayenne Turbo has this in spades. It is a truly phenomenal product. It is true Porsche ethics and standards applied to a very relevant market segment. Likewise the Panamera Turbo. It is a tremendous product wholly worthy of the Porsche brand.
The Cayenne Turbo is a Porsche through and through. The non performance model which is what almost everyone buys is an affront to the brand, an insult to everyone who worked to create and maintain Porsche's delicate and well earned place in history. It is a turd which has no right to exist and they have turned the Porsche brand into the Starbucks of the car world with one in every street. All in the name of corporate greed and the lining of a few pockets.
Cheib said:
A rather simplistic view unfortunately....lots of tech shared across all platforms. Things like PCM, safety systems etc etc That stuff is expensive to develop and much easier to invest in when you're selling a few hundred thousand cars rather than 60,000 or 70,000 sports cars Porsche make. And Porsche can do a lot better deals with suppliers beacsuse it builds so many cars across all platforms.
Valid if Porsche were an independent. But it has the buying might of VW behind it to ensure competitive costs. It's a bit like Mike Tyson's kid. If he asked for your lunch money you're going to hand it over with a big smile. 
DonkeyApple said:
Cheib said:
A rather simplistic view unfortunately....lots of tech shared across all platforms. Things like PCM, safety systems etc etc That stuff is expensive to develop and much easier to invest in when you're selling a few hundred thousand cars rather than 60,000 or 70,000 sports cars Porsche make. And Porsche can do a lot better deals with suppliers beacsuse it builds so many cars across all platforms.
Valid if Porsche were an independent. But it has the buying might of VW behind it to ensure competitive costs. It's a bit like Mike Tyson's kid. If he asked for your lunch money you're going to hand it over with a big smile. 
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