Porsche CAYENNE TURBO S
Despite denials to the contrary by their manufacturers, there is something vaguely ludicrous about outrageously powerful luxury 4x4s. Try as you might, a vehicle like this doesnt make a whole lot of sense. That said, the motoring world would be a far less interesting place without these tributes to excess and Porsche have built one of the most extreme to date in the hard to overlook shape of the Cayenne Turbo S.
This is a car that benefits from some sort of frame of reference. Its 521bhp power output makes it second only to the Carrera GT as the most powerful Porsche sanctioned for road use. Its way more powerful than any production 911, the eight cylinder twin turbo engine generating significantly more than double that of Porsches first V8, the engine fitted to the 928 coupe. A maximum torque figure of 531lb/ft is also something rather special.
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With an automatic gearbox, all-wheel drive and one of the cleverest traction control systems known to man, it isnt just factory trained test drivers who can achieve these sorts of figures either. Thats part of what makes the Cayenne Turbo S such a devastating performer. It wasnt hard to see a vehicle like this being announced. Chrysler Jeep had ruffled a few feathers in the super 4x4 class by announcing their Grand Cherokee SRT-8, a model that could call upon 420bhp of American iron.
This relatively inexpensive upstart was putting the moves on the likes of the Cayenne Turbo, not to mention the top end BMW and Mercedes models, and a manufacturer such as Porsche isnt about to stand idly by and have sand kicked in its face by Uncle Sam. Hence we get this Turbo S model which adds another 70bhp onto the standard Cayenne Turbos power output and adds a few other goodies to boot.
"The Cayenne Turbo S more closely resembles a force of nature than a piece of precision engineering"
Although the price swells by around £10,000 to £81,565, thats small change to the target Cayenne Turbo S demographic, many of whom will be buying the Porsche as a third or fourth car. Likewise, these customers wont be overly perturbed by a thirst for fuel that will regularly see the Porsche dip into single figures when the throttle is used in anger. The power boost to the Cayenne comes courtesy of modified intercoolers which allow Porsches engineers to up the boost pressure of the turbos to a maximum of 1.9bar.
Whats most remarkable is that due to the improved efficiency of these aluminium intercoolers, the Turbo S doesnt consume any more fuel than the turbo in the same speed range. With this increase in engine power comes a commensurate beefing up of braking power. The diameter of the front brake discs rises from 250 to 280mm, while the rears get 358 rather than 330mm rotors. Better cooling also reduces fade during repeated applications.
Theres plenty of room for big brakes behind a set of 20-inch SportTechno design alloy wheels wrapped in 275/40 low profile rubber. Dont even think about off roading. The Cayenne, dubbed The Third Line by insiders at Porsche, is critical to the companys revenue stream. In order to retain their independence, Porsche must have the clout to be able to compete with companies such as Ferrari, Jaguar, Maserati and Lamborghini all manufacturers who have accepted the coin of big parent companies.
Porsche doesnt have that luxury and with the escalating cost of developing new cars, it needed a cash cow called the Cayenne. Klaus-Gerhard Wolpert is the man responsible for overseeing the Cayennes development. As Porsches director of SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle) Operations, Wolpert realised early on in the product planning cycle that the Cayenne had to deal a mortal blow not only to the ubiquitous BMW X5 but also to more entrenched rivals like the Range Rover. Despite sharing many parts with Volkswagens Touareg 4x4, Porsches focus on uncompromising engineering has seen the Cayenne open up a new front in the luxury 4x4 arena.
Get in expecting it to replicate a 911 and youll come away disappointed. Theres a degree of roll when you enter a corner, Porsches talented chassis engineers having to contend with the laws of physics. Such a tall, heavy vehicle is never going to handle like a low-slung sports car but the Cayenne Turbo S is nevertheless an impressive showing. You need to feel your way to its limits, overcoming every instinct that tells you to back off as you enter the corner, trusting the Cayennes chassis and gumball tyres to deliver you safely at the other end.
Failing that, the Turbo S is fitted with Porsches PSM stability management. Put your confidence in the Cayenne and youll discover it has a surprising degree of handling subtlety. That and some sledgehammer brakes. If you are intent on getting to the ski slopes in time for the first chairlift on a powder day, the Cayenne Turbo S would be your weapon of choice.
Drive is normally split between the front and rear wheels on a 38:62 ratio, although Porsche Traction Management (PTM) has the capability to direct 100% of the drive to either the front or rear wheels when challenged. The air suspension system thats standard on the Turbo allows the car to be lowered at high speed, aiding stability. If I could afford to run one, the Cayenne Turbo S would be a car that could really grow on you. Unfortunately Im not in that bracket and wince every time I see the fuel gauge visibly lurch south.
The target buyer wont care too much about that sort of thing and will instead just want the fastest and most capable SUV on the market. Well here it is. If you dont like it, there are plenty more who will.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Porsche Cayenne Turbo S
PRICE: £81,565 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 20
CO2 EMISSIONS: tba g/km
PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 5.0s / Max Speed 166mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: 12.9(urban) / 23.7(combined) /18mpg(combined) [est]
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags, ABS, PSM
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height, 4786/1928/1699mm
