Porsche PH unleashes Nürburgring-conquering Cayenne Turbo GT

MANILA: With the introduction of the original Porsche Cayenne, a luxury off-road vehicle that was also a highly emotive sports car, Porsche successfully launched a completely new market segment in 2002. This winning formula lives on in the current, third-generation Porsche Cayenne exactly 20 years later.

 

The new Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT arrives as the sportiest version of the brand's flagship SUV range, celebrating two decades of success. The latest model is designed for maximum performance and handling, combining outstanding driving dynamics with daily usability.

To demonstrate this, Porsche took the new Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT to the legendary 20.832-kilometer Nürburgring Nordschleife, where the model lapped the legendary course in 7:38.9 minutes — the fastest lap time officially recorded by a production SUV.

Sports car performance

A 4.0-liter bi-turbo V8 producing 640hp and 850Nm powers the new Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT, allowing it to sprint from rest to 100kph in 3.3 seconds and reach a top speed of 300kph. A faster-shifting eight-speed Tiptronic S transmission is paired with the engine.

The Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT comes standard with all available chassis systems, as well as performance tires designed specifically for the model. Its powertrain and chassis are also unique, resulting in exceptional racetrack performance.

The Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT rides lower than any other Cayenne, thanks to re-engineered and optimized passive chassis components and active control systems for handling and performance. It has a more rigid three-chamber air suspension, and the damper settings of the Porsche Active Suspension Management, as well as the application of the Power Steering Plus and rear-axle steering, have been adjusted accordingly. Porsche Traction Management (PTM) and Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) active roll stabilization systems now use performance-oriented control software. All of this contributes to better roll stability and road holding, as well as more precise turn-in behavior at higher cornering speeds.

New 22-inch Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires and the standard-fit Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB) unit improve handling even further.

Progressive Coupe design

The new Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT emphasizes its exceptional athleticism with innovative design elements. The latest model has even sportier lines and is only available in a four-seater Coupe configuration. It is distinguished by a unique front apron, enlarged side cooling air intakes, a contoured carbon roof, black wheel arch extensions, and 22-inch GT Design wheels in Neodyme. The GT model has carbon side plates that are fitted lengthwise to the roof spoiler. The adaptively extendable rear spoiler lip, which increases downforce by up to 40 kilograms, is also unique to the GT. The rear of the model is finished with a striking carbon diffuser panel.

Premium standard equipment complements the Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT's sporty character. Front 18-way Adaptive Sports Seats, a sport rear seat system, and a multifunction sports steering wheel are among the features. The latest Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system, with a new user interface and operating logic, is also installed on the model. It is fully compatible with Apple CarPlay and offers extensive integration with Apple Music and Apple Podcasts. Furthermore, the infotainment system now includes Android Auto.

Two decades of sportiness

Porsche began work on the original Cayenne in the late 1990s under the codename "Colorado." Engineers created a new V8 engine for the Cayenne to meet the brand's exacting performance standards and translate them into the SUV segment. This engine would deliver benchmark power and torque figures. The 4.5-liter V8 engine in the Cayenne S produced 340hp and 420Nm, while the Cayenne Turbo produced an even more impressive 450hp and 620Nm. As a result, the Cayenne S and Cayenne Turbo achieve top speeds of 242 and 266kph, respectively.

Porsche introduced the Cayenne Turbo S in 2006, making it the second most powerful road-approved Porsche at the time, trailing only the Carrera GT super sports car. The then-new flagship model appeared reserved on the outside — a discreet badge hinted at its enormous performance potential — but its V8 delivered an astounding 521hp and 720Nm.

In terms of driving dynamics, the Cayenne Turbo S redefined the segment. The SUV reached 100kph in 5.2 seconds, nearly half a second faster than the Turbo, on its way to a top speed of 270kph.

Porsche offered the Cayenne in four variants, six engine options, and eight equipment lines between 2002 and 2010. A total of 276,652 vehicles were produced, with the Cayenne S accounting for 38.9% of sales. With only 5,455 units sold, the Turbo S remained the exclusive super sports flagship.

Porsche unveiled the second-generation Cayenne at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, which went on sale months later as a 2011 model. It was larger, with sleeker lines, a sloping roofline, door-mounted mirrors, headlights inspired by the iconic Porsche Carrera GT, new LED daytime running lights, and taillights that extended onto the tailgate. The interior of the model was vastly improved and designed similarly to that of the Porsche Panamera.

The lighter weight of the second-generation Porsche Cayenne matched its sportier design and optimized its performance. The previous model's low-range transfer box was replaced by an on-demand all-wheel drive system with an actively controlled multi-plate clutch. The system is lighter and has been carried over to the current model.

Porsche also introduced hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains for the second-generation Cayenne, which also featured Torsen center differentials. Porsche introduced a significantly revised version of the Cayenne in 2014.

When the current-generation Cayenne was introduced in 2017, Porsche focused on further developing its plug-in hybrid technology and expanding the model's capabilities. Through a specially developed three-chamber air suspension and rear-axle steering, the new Cayenne became sportier and more comfortable while maintaining its off-road capabilities. A new aluminum body shell made the model lighter, making it more efficient and agile.

The current-generation Porsche Cayenne also expanded its range of driver-assistance capabilities with numerous new assistance systems that are now integrated into a central control unit. Furthermore, the flagship SUV received connectivity updates via smartphone integration, WiFi, and Bluetooth.

Another significant event for the Cayenne was the introduction of the even sportier Cayenne Coupe in the middle of 2019. The new model is distinguished by a sharply sloping roofline inspired by the 911.

The new Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT "Supersport Utility Vehicle" raises the bar for production SUVs, much like the first-generation Porsche Cayenne Turbo S did two decades ago.

Photos by Roy Robles

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