The Cayenne Reloaded

More efficient and dynamic than ever, the Cayenne is ready for battle says Arvind Kumar.

Twelve years ago, one car revolutionised the term Sports Utility Vehicle. Twelve years ago one car silenced critics that said an SUV package will never handle like a sports car. And twelve years ago, one car aided a flailing yet iconic sports car maker from a critical recession onto profitable growth until it was dubbed, a car that can tow an automaker. The car: Porsche Cayenne.

Now in its second generation, the Cayenne has gone through a mid-life facelift with updated engines, an all-new hybrid variant and exciting visual updates. You can wager, now that the Macan’s introduction is done and dusted, Porsche is dead serious about the Cayenne’s onslaught.

The Cayenne is available in five variants. The range starts out with the Cayenne diesel, Cayenne S available in petrol and diesel versions, and lastly the Cayenne Turbo which wraps up the revamp of the current model line-up. The Cayenne S E-Hybrid now joins this company as the world’s first plug-in hybrid in the premium SUV market.

Visual upgrades for the current model first launched in 2010 include a revitalised design of the frontal and rear sections. The front body which include the front wings and bonnet have all been redesigned with sharper light refracting edges. Neat airblades on the front bumper spiffy up the Cayenne to look more like the gutsy Macan, while funnelling air into the intercoolers.

Four point LED daytime running lights and bi-xenon headlights will be standard fare on base and S models. While the Turbo variant will have LED headlights managed by Porsche’s Dynamic Light System (PDLS).

Rear sections now sport a revamped bootlid, handles and license plate recess. The tail-lights have also been redesigned and the whole combo now contributes to a cleaner look at the rear quarters. The horizontal lines have also been reworked to create a fuller stance when approaching the rear haunches.

Additional fuel saving technology has been employed throughout the Cayenne range. The start/stop programs have been revised and thermal management has been improved with use of active cooling flaps in the front of the car.

The Cayenne Diesel employs a 3.0-litre V6 engine which produces 262bhp at 4,000rpm, while a peak torque of 580Nm between 1,750rpm to 2,500rpm. The Cayenne S Diesel houses a 4.2-litre V8 engine capable of 385bhp at 3,750rpm, while 850Nm is delivered between 2,000rpm and 2,750rpm.

A Cayenne Diesel will complete the century sprint in 7.3s while the Cayenne S Diesel only requires 5.4s. Spec the Sport Chrono Package to cut 0.1s off both cars respectively. Top speed is rated at 221kph for the Cayenne Diesel and 252kph for the S Diesel.

The Cayenne S petrol variant has gone through a downsizing in the engine department. Porsche have developed a new 3.6-litre biturbo V6. The powerplant churns out 420bhp at 6,000rpm while 550Nm of torque is fed from as low as 1,350rpm.

Performance figures are a healthy 5.5s (5.4s with Sport Chrono) to 100kph all the way to maximum velocity of 259kph. The new engine delivers 20bhp more than the outgoing V8, while consuming a litre less fuel on the NEDC cycle. The Cayenne S will be fitted with an eight speed Tiptronic S transmission as standard.

Need more power? The Cayenne Turbo 4.8-litre biturbo V8 will blow the century sprint in 4.5s (4.4s with…you get it right) onto a top speed of 279kph. 520bhp is on tap while a monstrous 750Nm of torque is available from 2,250rpm.

The all-new Cayenne S E-Hybrid with plug-in capability relies primarily on a 3.0-litre supercharged V6 engine capable of 333bhp, assisted by a 95bhp electric motor. Combined, the unit delivers 416bhp and 590Nm of torque at a smidge over 1,250rpm all the way to 4,000rpm.

The 10.9kWh lithium-ion battery pack enables an electric-only range of 18-36km at speeds of up to 125kph. 0-100kph is despatched within 5.9s while top speed is rated at 243kph. All this happens while consuming a combined 3.4l/100km. The battery can either be recharged by grid or seamlessly when you drive.