Three new engines
The 2008 Cayennes are powered by three new, more powerful engines: the standard V6 goes from 250 to 290 hp, the naturally-aspirated V8 increases to 385 hp and the turbocharged V8 now boasts 500 hp. These engines are not only more potent but also up to 12 % more fuel-efficient. How is that possible? Engineers have developed a new direct injection system.
Here's a side note to environmentalists: one of the engineers candidly confessed to me that German automakers have been slow to react and that they let Toyota receive all the credit for the development of green technologies. That said, don't expect a diesel option with the Cayenne. I would not be surprised, however, to see a hybrid V6-based powertrain find its way under the base model's hood. It could happen soon, although not soon enough. The current V6, even at 290 hp, still takes too much time to sprint from 80 to 120 kph. The gearbox is too slow to downshift, even in Sport mode, and once the passing maneuver is completed, it does not upshift smoothly.
New brakes
Porsche engineers have designed new brake callipers for S and Turbo models. These lighter, aluminium-cast monobloc callipers use six pistons up front to push the high-performance pads against the discs. Porsche has always recognized the importance of a great braking system for the safety of passengers. You can easily spot the callipers with their bright red paint. This 2,495-kilo SUV should take less than 43 meters to come to a full stop from 100 kph, depending on road and tire conditions.
The fantastic PDCC
What is exactly this new dynamic chassis control? Basically, it's a valve system capable of producing a high hydraulic pressure to maintain the vehicle's stability. Controlled by computer, it takes into account the vehicle speed, the steering input, the weight transfer and the initial torque delivered by the engine. The goal is to keep the Cayenne in the straightest line possible, no matter what the road conditions are.
The PDCC also works with the vehicle's stability program and antilock braking system. During a turn, the unit analyzes the weight transfer and, through a hydraulic pressure, keeps the SUV upright. This means that all four tires remain in constant contact with the tarmac. We put the system to the test on a tight slalom course. In normal mode, the PDCC holds the Cayenne, while in Sport mode, it allows the vehicle to behave just like a sports car.
The 2008 Cayennes are powered by three new, more powerful engines: the standard V6 goes from 250 to 290 hp, the naturally-aspirated V8 increases to 385 hp and the turbocharged V8 now boasts 500 hp. These engines are not only more potent but also up to 12 % more fuel-efficient. How is that possible? Engineers have developed a new direct injection system.
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| From left to right: Porsche Cayenne (3.6L V6), Cayenne S (4.8L V8) and Cayenne Turbo (4.8L Turbo V8). |
Here's a side note to environmentalists: one of the engineers candidly confessed to me that German automakers have been slow to react and that they let Toyota receive all the credit for the development of green technologies. That said, don't expect a diesel option with the Cayenne. I would not be surprised, however, to see a hybrid V6-based powertrain find its way under the base model's hood. It could happen soon, although not soon enough. The current V6, even at 290 hp, still takes too much time to sprint from 80 to 120 kph. The gearbox is too slow to downshift, even in Sport mode, and once the passing maneuver is completed, it does not upshift smoothly.
New brakes
Porsche engineers have designed new brake callipers for S and Turbo models. These lighter, aluminium-cast monobloc callipers use six pistons up front to push the high-performance pads against the discs. Porsche has always recognized the importance of a great braking system for the safety of passengers. You can easily spot the callipers with their bright red paint. This 2,495-kilo SUV should take less than 43 meters to come to a full stop from 100 kph, depending on road and tire conditions.
The fantastic PDCC
What is exactly this new dynamic chassis control? Basically, it's a valve system capable of producing a high hydraulic pressure to maintain the vehicle's stability. Controlled by computer, it takes into account the vehicle speed, the steering input, the weight transfer and the initial torque delivered by the engine. The goal is to keep the Cayenne in the straightest line possible, no matter what the road conditions are.
The PDCC also works with the vehicle's stability program and antilock braking system. During a turn, the unit analyzes the weight transfer and, through a hydraulic pressure, keeps the SUV upright. This means that all four tires remain in constant contact with the tarmac. We put the system to the test on a tight slalom course. In normal mode, the PDCC holds the Cayenne, while in Sport mode, it allows the vehicle to behave just like a sports car.
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| Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC). |