What Is It?
2003 Porsche Cayenne
What's Special About It?
The hype on this one has been high, and Porsche has been milking every last drop of media coverage. Though brief details about the Cayenne SUV were released at the 2002 Geneva Auto Show, it wasn't until Paris that actual vehicles were displayed.
Going up against vehicles like the BMW X5 4.6is and Mercedes-Benz ML55, the Cayenne will be Porsche's first SUV ever. There is plenty of buzz about this vehicle, mostly pertaining to whether the buying public will embrace it. The last Porsche with a front-mounted V8 engine — the 928 — is certainly not held in nearly high regard as the 911.
Time will tell on that one. But here's what you get. There are two versions: the Cayenne S and Cayenne Turbo. An all-new, normally aspirated 340-horsepower 4.5-liter V8 will power all four permanently driven wheels in the S model, accelerating the vehicle from rest to 60 mph in little more than 7 seconds. The Turbo (like the 911 Turbo, it has twin intercooled turbochargers) version makes 450 horsepower and 457 pound-feet of torque. Porsche says this is good enough to propel the SUV to 60 mph in about 5.5 seconds. Both will have a six-speed Tiptronic S automanual transmission, though the S should have a manual transmission as standard equipment later in the year.
As this is a luxury SUV, Porsche has added a full complement of features. It seats five, leather is standard and the backseats fold down to reveal a decent amount of cargo space. The four-wheel-drive system is electronically controlled, and the division of power between the front and rear wheels is not determined by the lack of traction alone, but rather by sensors measuring road speed and driver inputs. Should the owner actually want to take his Cayenne off pavement, the transmission offers a reduction gear for improved ascent and decent performance and a 100-percent front-to-rear differential lock for maximum traction.
Turbo models also come with an air suspension that can raise and lower the ride height for better low- and high-speed performance. As for safety, both versions come with a full complement of airbags and standard Porsche Stability Management. And, for those of you who remember Tucker, you'll be pleased to know that the Turbo comes with a bi-HID headlight system that can aim its light into a bend, thereby improving illumination when cornering.
Why Should You Care?
Maybe you just want to have the latest toy and want something to complement your 911 C4S. Or perhaps your golden retriever gets no pleasure from sticking his head out the window unless you're going more than 100 mph. Whatever the reason, there is now a Porsche SUV, and it looks to be pretty dang fast. Expect it to be in U.S. dealerships by springtime 2003. — Brent Romans
2003 Porsche Cayenne
What's Special About It?
The hype on this one has been high, and Porsche has been milking every last drop of media coverage. Though brief details about the Cayenne SUV were released at the 2002 Geneva Auto Show, it wasn't until Paris that actual vehicles were displayed.
Going up against vehicles like the BMW X5 4.6is and Mercedes-Benz ML55, the Cayenne will be Porsche's first SUV ever. There is plenty of buzz about this vehicle, mostly pertaining to whether the buying public will embrace it. The last Porsche with a front-mounted V8 engine — the 928 — is certainly not held in nearly high regard as the 911.
Time will tell on that one. But here's what you get. There are two versions: the Cayenne S and Cayenne Turbo. An all-new, normally aspirated 340-horsepower 4.5-liter V8 will power all four permanently driven wheels in the S model, accelerating the vehicle from rest to 60 mph in little more than 7 seconds. The Turbo (like the 911 Turbo, it has twin intercooled turbochargers) version makes 450 horsepower and 457 pound-feet of torque. Porsche says this is good enough to propel the SUV to 60 mph in about 5.5 seconds. Both will have a six-speed Tiptronic S automanual transmission, though the S should have a manual transmission as standard equipment later in the year.
As this is a luxury SUV, Porsche has added a full complement of features. It seats five, leather is standard and the backseats fold down to reveal a decent amount of cargo space. The four-wheel-drive system is electronically controlled, and the division of power between the front and rear wheels is not determined by the lack of traction alone, but rather by sensors measuring road speed and driver inputs. Should the owner actually want to take his Cayenne off pavement, the transmission offers a reduction gear for improved ascent and decent performance and a 100-percent front-to-rear differential lock for maximum traction.
Turbo models also come with an air suspension that can raise and lower the ride height for better low- and high-speed performance. As for safety, both versions come with a full complement of airbags and standard Porsche Stability Management. And, for those of you who remember Tucker, you'll be pleased to know that the Turbo comes with a bi-HID headlight system that can aim its light into a bend, thereby improving illumination when cornering.
Why Should You Care?
Maybe you just want to have the latest toy and want something to complement your 911 C4S. Or perhaps your golden retriever gets no pleasure from sticking his head out the window unless you're going more than 100 mph. Whatever the reason, there is now a Porsche SUV, and it looks to be pretty dang fast. Expect it to be in U.S. dealerships by springtime 2003. — Brent Romans
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