Every now and then, keys land on my desk that manages to get my heart racing before I even sit behind the wheel. The 2013 Cayenne GTS’ fantastically Panamera-shaped key did just that.
And my heart rate only increased exponentially when I placed said fob in the left-hand keyhole and turned, ever so gently, to the right. Barking to life with a severity that had the neighbours complaining and passersby snapping their heads to see what savage creature made such a visceral, glorious exhaust note; the 2013 Porsche Cayenne GTS might not be the top-tier Cayenne in the lineup (that spot is reserved for the Turbo S), but the experience had behind the wheel of this SUV was enough to make it my No. 1 choice.
Purpose-built
If there’s one thing I absolutely love it’s a carmaker that builds a vehicle with a purpose, a true “this is what it’s meant for, take it or leave it” approach. Many waffle around the issue, but a select few nail it, every time. Porsche is one such carmaker and the 2013 Cayenne GTS is one such vehicle, built to perform.
And perform it does thanks to a 4.8L V8 engine that pushes out 420 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque along with offering up that guttural, knee-weakening aural explosion out the matte black quad sport exhaust tailpipes. I never tired of hearing the Cayenne GTS start, and made sure to keep the door open each time I did, just so I got a good dose of V8 snarl.
Sitting 24mm lower than any other Cayenne in the lineup and with Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) as standard, this SUV was built to perform on the road (or track, as the case may be). With a lower centre of gravity, 20” RS Spyder Design wheels (as standard) and red-painted brake calipers, the 2013 Porsche Cayenne GTS sits low and pretty; just the way I like it.
Oh, that colour
Alright, Peridot Metallic might not be for everyone, but OMG, I adore it. Few cars can pull of a colour as eye-catching, in-your-face and balls-out as this, but the 2013 Porsche Cayenne GTS does it and it does it well. The vibrant green color made searching for the Cayenne in a parking lot that much easier. But it was more than just the colour.
From the massive central air intake to the lower front and rear apron elements, side skirts, flared wheel arches, and stretched out rear spoiler, everything about this 2013 Porsche Cayenne is athletic, poised to perform. Aggressive, masculine, taut, sculpted; I could go on and on, but you get the idea.
And the performance-driven look continues inside too. Typical Porsche fair ensues: familiar multi-pod gauge cluster featuring a 4.8” TFT colour display screen, centre stack that rises up to meet the dash and cocoon the driver in a perfectly positioned pod of buttons, knobs and a SportDesign steering wheel that’s blissfully free of any buttons (rejoice!), but does feature paddle shifters (rejoice again!).
Decked out in black Alcantara and leather with Peridot green stitching -- with the GTS logo and seat belts in the same green to match -- the sport seats and dash are both luxurious and performance-driven.
It just wants to be driven
It didn’t matter what the temperature or state of the world around me; when I was driving the 2013 Porsche Cayenne GTS it was just me and the car. Unleashing the power of the V8 became a daily obsession, something I felt like I needed to do or everything would be lost. And I could see how easily intoxicating a vehicle like the GTS could be if owned.
With “Sport” mode selected all around, the already sure-footed, quick-witted Cayenne GTS tightens up even more and sticks to the road better than peas on a peanut-butter knife. I just wanted to corner and power out of the apex all day long.
The 8-speed Tiptronic S automatic transmission is so seamless, it’s almost too good. Shifts are razor-sharp, and the throttle-induced downshifts are the absolute best (flick the throttle with your right foot while driving and watch the Porsche choose just the right gear… Every. Single. Time). And while I appreciated the Porsche Stability Management (PSM) in our snowy conditions, I also appreciated turning it off to have a bit of fun.
And have fun I did; even if it was just a quick trip to the grocery store (suddenly we needed lots of little random things at all hours of the day/night). And that’s the beauty of the 2013 Porsche Cayenne GTS: Owning one would mean daily satisfaction. The moment you spot it parked in your garage/driveway, you’re bound to smile. Turn it on and that smile becomes a giddy grin -- guaranteed.
Pay to play
And pay I would, if only I could. Sitting just shy of $100k, the 2013 Porsche Cayenne GTS isn’t exactly cheap. But it’s such a well-rounded, capable vehicle (that’s also a great family car with plenty of space in the trunk and room for a baby seat in the back where my son spent the week grinning too), that if you could scrounge up the change needed to purchase one I’d recommend it over, and over and over again.
And my heart rate only increased exponentially when I placed said fob in the left-hand keyhole and turned, ever so gently, to the right. Barking to life with a severity that had the neighbours complaining and passersby snapping their heads to see what savage creature made such a visceral, glorious exhaust note; the 2013 Porsche Cayenne GTS might not be the top-tier Cayenne in the lineup (that spot is reserved for the Turbo S), but the experience had behind the wheel of this SUV was enough to make it my No. 1 choice.
Purpose-built
If there’s one thing I absolutely love it’s a carmaker that builds a vehicle with a purpose, a true “this is what it’s meant for, take it or leave it” approach. Many waffle around the issue, but a select few nail it, every time. Porsche is one such carmaker and the 2013 Cayenne GTS is one such vehicle, built to perform.
And perform it does thanks to a 4.8L V8 engine that pushes out 420 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque along with offering up that guttural, knee-weakening aural explosion out the matte black quad sport exhaust tailpipes. I never tired of hearing the Cayenne GTS start, and made sure to keep the door open each time I did, just so I got a good dose of V8 snarl.
Sitting 24mm lower than any other Cayenne in the lineup and with Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) as standard, this SUV was built to perform on the road (or track, as the case may be). With a lower centre of gravity, 20” RS Spyder Design wheels (as standard) and red-painted brake calipers, the 2013 Porsche Cayenne GTS sits low and pretty; just the way I like it.
Oh, that colour
Alright, Peridot Metallic might not be for everyone, but OMG, I adore it. Few cars can pull of a colour as eye-catching, in-your-face and balls-out as this, but the 2013 Porsche Cayenne GTS does it and it does it well. The vibrant green color made searching for the Cayenne in a parking lot that much easier. But it was more than just the colour.
From the massive central air intake to the lower front and rear apron elements, side skirts, flared wheel arches, and stretched out rear spoiler, everything about this 2013 Porsche Cayenne is athletic, poised to perform. Aggressive, masculine, taut, sculpted; I could go on and on, but you get the idea.
And the performance-driven look continues inside too. Typical Porsche fair ensues: familiar multi-pod gauge cluster featuring a 4.8” TFT colour display screen, centre stack that rises up to meet the dash and cocoon the driver in a perfectly positioned pod of buttons, knobs and a SportDesign steering wheel that’s blissfully free of any buttons (rejoice!), but does feature paddle shifters (rejoice again!).
Decked out in black Alcantara and leather with Peridot green stitching -- with the GTS logo and seat belts in the same green to match -- the sport seats and dash are both luxurious and performance-driven.
It just wants to be driven
It didn’t matter what the temperature or state of the world around me; when I was driving the 2013 Porsche Cayenne GTS it was just me and the car. Unleashing the power of the V8 became a daily obsession, something I felt like I needed to do or everything would be lost. And I could see how easily intoxicating a vehicle like the GTS could be if owned.
With “Sport” mode selected all around, the already sure-footed, quick-witted Cayenne GTS tightens up even more and sticks to the road better than peas on a peanut-butter knife. I just wanted to corner and power out of the apex all day long.
The 8-speed Tiptronic S automatic transmission is so seamless, it’s almost too good. Shifts are razor-sharp, and the throttle-induced downshifts are the absolute best (flick the throttle with your right foot while driving and watch the Porsche choose just the right gear… Every. Single. Time). And while I appreciated the Porsche Stability Management (PSM) in our snowy conditions, I also appreciated turning it off to have a bit of fun.
And have fun I did; even if it was just a quick trip to the grocery store (suddenly we needed lots of little random things at all hours of the day/night). And that’s the beauty of the 2013 Porsche Cayenne GTS: Owning one would mean daily satisfaction. The moment you spot it parked in your garage/driveway, you’re bound to smile. Turn it on and that smile becomes a giddy grin -- guaranteed.
Pay to play
And pay I would, if only I could. Sitting just shy of $100k, the 2013 Porsche Cayenne GTS isn’t exactly cheap. But it’s such a well-rounded, capable vehicle (that’s also a great family car with plenty of space in the trunk and room for a baby seat in the back where my son spent the week grinning too), that if you could scrounge up the change needed to purchase one I’d recommend it over, and over and over again.
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