2007 Porsche Cayenne: First Look

Motoring Channel Staff - 5/Dec/2006

Stuttgart, Germany — Porsche's largest model, the Cayenne performance SUV, has just been given it's first ever make-over, with the launch of the 2007 model Cayenne. 

Though the German sports car company is quick to concede that this is not an entirely new model (it uses the same platform and much of the mechanicals and running gear) the second generation Cayenne benefits from new look front and rear ends, revised engines and other new safety and comfort features, all of which help make this German vehicle well worth another look.

The major visual differences between the new models, apart from alloy wheel design, is that the Porsche Cayenne Turbo model gets a larger central air dam which is flanked by horizontal fog lights, where the non-turbo models get vertical front fog lights. The Cayenne turbo also has quad exhaust pipes at the rear.

It's been four years since the SUV model’s initial launch, and as Porsche AG is presenting the second generation of its sporty SUV, it was only fitting that it benefit from the latest advances in engine technology.

Audi has been doing it for quite some time now, and Porsche has developed it's own direct injection petrol engines for the new Cayenne, Cayenne S and Cayenne Turbo models. These new direct injection engines improve overall power generation while reducing fuel consumption and emissions.

Porsche has coined the phrase Direct Fuel Injection (DFI). So while Audi has FSI (fuel stratified injection - different name, same thing), Porsche now has DFI, and it claims that the new fuel delivery systems lower the fuel consumption of individual models by over eight percent, and that in real-world driving conditions, savings of up to 15 percent are possible. 

The basic, entry-level version of this sporty SUV has a 29kW (40hp) power enhancement thanks to the DFI system, and is now driven by a 213kW (290hp) 6-cylinder engine, of which the displacement has increased from 3.2- to 3.6-liters. Even more impressive is the torque characteristics of the 6-cylinder Cayenne, which has climbed from 310 to 385Nm. 

With 213kW of power and 385Nm of torque, the base model Porsche Cayenne can accelerate from zero to 100km/h in 8.1 seconds, and has a claimed top speed of 227km/h (previously 9.1 seconds and 214km/h).

However, it's the 8-cylinder engines that have really been boosted, thanks to a number of new features. First and foremost, the old 4.5-litre V8 engines have had their capacity increased to 4.8-litres, and together with Porsche's new DFI magic, and combined with the VarioCam Plus valve control (variable valve timing system), the Cayenne S develops a serious 500Nm of torque. 

Previously, the Cayenne S's 4.5-litre V8 engine managed to deploy 420Nm of torque, but the larger capacity of 4.8-litres, and the inclusion of DFI and VarioCam Plus boosts this to 500Nm, while power output is now 283kW (385hp), which is an increase of 33kW (45hp). 

These improved engine outputs for the non-turbo V8-powered Cayenne S translate into a zero to 100km/h time of 6.6 seconds and a top speed of 252km/h (previously 6.8 seconds and 242km/h). 

And finally we have the fire-breathing Cayenne Turbo - arguably the king of the performance SUV arena, one of the quickest and most powerful 4x4s that money can buy. Like it's precursor, the new Cayenne Turbo gets a V8 engine which is boosted by what Porsche calls a "twin exhaust-gas turbocharger". We're not quite sure whether this was a typo and the company is referring to a pair of turbochargers, like in the previous model, or that it actually uses a larger single 'twin-entry' exhaust gas-driven turbine.

Either way, the new Cayenne Turbo is quicker and more powerful, with an engine output 37kW (50hp) higher than that of its predecessor. The new 8-cylinder engine, with forced induction, produces 368kW, which is a clean 500 horsepower, and peak torque has risen by 80Nm from 620Nm to 700Nm. In terms of real world performance, this large vehicle can race from zero to 100km/h in just 5.1 seconds (quicker than some 911 Porsche coupes!) and has a maximum speed of 275km/h (the preceding model managed 5.6 seconds and 266 km/h).

Like the first generation models, the new 2007 model Cayenne range features full-time 4WD transmissions, which is enabled by Porsche Traction Management (PTM). The German company explains that in standard operating mode, PTM distributes engine power between the rear and front wheels in a ratio of 62:38, and that a multi-disk clutch can direct up to 100 percent of drive traction to the front or rear as required.

Being the flagship model of the range, the Cayenne Turbo gets all the fancy extras, most of which will be available as cost options on the Cayenne and Cayenne S models. Fitted as standard with Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) and air suspension, the Cayenne Turbo's suspension is highly adjustable and can also be augmented with the new Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) roll stabiliser system. 

Porsche explains that this constant roll control system limits vehicle roll on corners and counterbalances it completely in almost all driving situations. The Cayenne thus offers significant improvements in terms of handling, directional stability and ride comfort and even when heading off-road, the system enables maximum axle articulation and improves traction.

Porsche Stability Management (PSM) with its brake assist function, advanced trailer stabilisation system, and off-road ABS, comes as standard on all Cayenne models in 2007. The German sports car maker claims these functions improve the brakes' reaction speed, markedly reduce the yawing which can affect vehicles when towing, and optimise braking performance on loose surfaces. Finally, and for the first time, dynamic corner lighting via the bi-xenon headlamps (fitted as standard to the Cayenne Turbo) help to increase active safety in the second generation SUV.

The Euro-base price for the Cayenne is €43,300, while for the Cayenne S it is €55,800. The Cayenne Turbo is priced at €91,100. 

Porsche has stated the new Cayenne will be in Porsche showrooms from February 24, 2007, in Germany and some European regions, while an Australian launch is expected later in 2007.

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