Part of the perk of being an invited guest of the prestigious Stuggart-based brand is the ability to drive some of their latest, if not all or nearly, of their current product line. Having been fortunate enough to spend some considerable amount of time (although it's never enough) at the wheel of many of their most recent creations, such as the Panamera and 911 Turbo S, I concentrated on the new Cayenne.
The New Cayenne is unmistakingly the new Cayenne. When parked alongside the previous truck or worse, the first generation Cayenne, the 2011 comes out as a clearly distinctive evolution of the vehicle that could be considered the one that saved the company. The new Cayenne looks tidier, sexier and, impressively, smaller. The Panamera-inspired front fascia and racier, tauter bodyline give the SUV a far more appealing demeanor. The proportions have never been more perfect.
In order to save time and get to drive as many vehicles as possible, I paired up with three other drivers (and Laurance) and took off from the Porsche Zentrum in the Cayenne and one 911 Turbo S. Given that the S was the faster car, it took the lead. That may have done but the Cayenne Turbo, in our skilled hands (mine being the better of the lot...), always kept the S in its sights.
The selected route consisted in many switchbacks, blind corners, changing road surfaces and serious uphill climbs and downhill stretches. At times, where posted speeds were of 25 mph (40 km/h), we were challenging the crests and 160 degree corners at a considerably quicker rate of speed.
The Cayenne's monster turbocharged 4.8L V8 and its 500 hp were none too impressed by the S' failed attempts (when I was piloting the 4,800 lb behemoth) at increasing the distance between the two fast German machines. Quite honestly, I knew the Cayenne was able-bodied and well versed in the handling department but I was thoroughly impressed. Given the girth, the Cayenne never fully wished to go wide in a corner, a testament to the vehicle's balance and poise.
The V8 growled and clawed at the road and the 8-speed Tiptronic S automatic transmission managed power sweet spots with aplomb. Especially in Sport mode. It's a given that the box has a manual function however, I was not too happy to find the dual action buttons working the gears. Gracefully, Porsche does offer proper paddles, as in the Turbo S, as a no fee option.
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| The new Cayenne looks tidier, sexier and, impressively, smaller. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre/Auto123.com) |
The New Cayenne is unmistakingly the new Cayenne. When parked alongside the previous truck or worse, the first generation Cayenne, the 2011 comes out as a clearly distinctive evolution of the vehicle that could be considered the one that saved the company. The new Cayenne looks tidier, sexier and, impressively, smaller. The Panamera-inspired front fascia and racier, tauter bodyline give the SUV a far more appealing demeanor. The proportions have never been more perfect.
In order to save time and get to drive as many vehicles as possible, I paired up with three other drivers (and Laurance) and took off from the Porsche Zentrum in the Cayenne and one 911 Turbo S. Given that the S was the faster car, it took the lead. That may have done but the Cayenne Turbo, in our skilled hands (mine being the better of the lot...), always kept the S in its sights.
The selected route consisted in many switchbacks, blind corners, changing road surfaces and serious uphill climbs and downhill stretches. At times, where posted speeds were of 25 mph (40 km/h), we were challenging the crests and 160 degree corners at a considerably quicker rate of speed.
The Cayenne's monster turbocharged 4.8L V8 and its 500 hp were none too impressed by the S' failed attempts (when I was piloting the 4,800 lb behemoth) at increasing the distance between the two fast German machines. Quite honestly, I knew the Cayenne was able-bodied and well versed in the handling department but I was thoroughly impressed. Given the girth, the Cayenne never fully wished to go wide in a corner, a testament to the vehicle's balance and poise.
The V8 growled and clawed at the road and the 8-speed Tiptronic S automatic transmission managed power sweet spots with aplomb. Especially in Sport mode. It's a given that the box has a manual function however, I was not too happy to find the dual action buttons working the gears. Gracefully, Porsche does offer proper paddles, as in the Turbo S, as a no fee option.
 |
| The V8 growled and clawed at the road and the 8-speed Tiptronic S automatic transmission managed power sweet spots with aplomb. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre/Auto123.com) |