Porsche Cayenne Turbo Review [w/video]

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Obsession with fuel efficiency for India is legendary. With Porsche Cayenne Turbo, improved thermal management on the engine and transmission cooling circuit, standard start-stop, variable engine cut-off, lightweight construction, 8-speed automatic gearbox, all these contributing to a 23 percent drop in fuel consumption compared to its preceding model. The old cayenne, the first generation was a bit too horror for little kids to fear from, but this one is a handsome appealing one. Has an aggressive look, all business and no kid thing.


Image Source: FotoSleuth

The hood is heavily sculpted and tapers down into the front grille, so reducing gaping nostrils of the air dam that was possibly a big problem in the old cayenne. The rear roofline and tailgate also slopes even more giving a sleek appearance. Characteristic 911 cues are present particularly around the headlights, but this is possibly the best execution of those classic cues on a bigger vehicle, say better than the Panamera. LED running lamps are standard, integrated into the headlamps on Turbo.




Specifications 


Type Twin Turbo V8, 4806cc
LxWxH (mm) 4846 x 1939 x 1702
Max Power 505PS @ 6000rpm
Max Torque 700Nm @ 2250-4500rpm
Price Rs.1.2 Crore (US $220,000)

Inside there's been a major upheaval with design inspiration taken from the Panamera's wonderful cabin. The dashboard is heavily sculpted with a technical feel to it and it comforts the driver in a sporty way. Like the Panamera, and unlike BMW's iDrive, there are separate buttons for different functions intuitive to operate. Touch screen navigation and either a 14-speaker 585W Bose system or a 16-speaker 1000W Burmester system.

The increased cabin space is due to the new shared platform for the Porsche Cayenne with the VW Touareg and the next Audi Q7. With extensive use of Aluminium indoors, front fenders, hood and suspension components, weight has a significant drop on Turbo by a huge 185 kilos and that's one of the big factors for low fuel consumption. Another factor for reduced fuel consumption is the low weight of the all-wheel drive hardware which eliminates the low ratio gearbox in favour of a new 8-speed automatic transmission.

Porsche cites the smoothness of conventional torque converter automatic and also that a twin clutch wouldn't have been as suitable for the big torque on tap. In terms of power units, the Cayenne starts with a 3.0 litre V6 petrol with 300PS of power and a claimed 0-100kmph time of just 7.5 seconds and a top speed of 230kmph. It claimed a fuel efficiency of 13.5 kmpl on the European cycle. The most interesting powertrain on offer is the hybrid - the first hybrid Porsche in the lineup. It mates a supercharged 3.0 litre V6 direct-injection petrol making 333PS of power to a 47PS electric motor. The full parallel hybrid can run on electric power alone at 60kmph and by activating the e-power button on dash prevents the IC engine from cutting in automatically provided the battery has enough juice. Working together with IC engine and electric motor, it has a total of 380PS at 5500rpm while the 440Nm of engine torque is supplemented by the electric motor's 300Nm. Combined torque of 580Nm cuts in just at 1000rpm performance of an eight cylinder engine with low fuel consumption and lesser emissions.

This SUV is no doubt the best handling off-roader till now and it competes the BMW X6 for it in road tests. Check out which SUV beats the opposite in lap times.
Check out: Porsche Cayenne Turbo Vs. BMW X6 XDrive50I Comparison Road Test [w/video]

Cayenne Turbo takes 6.5 seconds to reach 0-100kmph with the top speed of 242kmph. It is the cleanest Porsche with just 193g/km of CO2 emissions. As Cayenne S gets a 400PS 4.8 litre direct injection V8 that does 100kmph in 5.9 seconds and has a top speed of 258kmph and the Cayenne Turbo which gets twin turbos on 4.8 litre V8 making out 500PS power and big torque of 700Nm. Unlike the Panamera Turbo or 911 Turbo, there is no launch control in the options but performance is still staggering with 100kmph coming up in just 4.7 seconds and the 2.2 tonne SUV topping off at 278kmph.

All Cayenne models get steel springs as standard which can be optioned with PASM allowing the driver to choose between comfort, sport and normal settings. The Cayenne Turbo has air suspension and in comfort mode the SUV does ride rather well, even with the 21-inch rims. A toggle switch increases ground clearance.

Porsche gets credit on the Cayenne's off-road abilities and even though the new Cayenne doesn't have a low ratio gearbox, the 1st two ratios are geared low to ensure there's enough torque going to the wheels to make it out of the world capable off road. Selecting off-road mode raises the air suspension and switches the gearbox into an off-road program that concentrates on getting smoothness and maximum traction.

Porsche Cayenne Turbo Review Video by Motor Redaktion




Author and Founder of Automobiles Base, who is a great car enthusiast. He loves to write reviews for latest cars and for big brands in the blog. Follow this blog via social media and email newsletter to follow up the updates.