Porsche adds more power to Cayenne

STUTTGART -- Porsche is polishing the sporty credentials of its third-generation Cayenne by reducing weight, adding horsepower and introducing new steering and suspension features to improve the SUV's cornering and boost acceleration.

The Cayenne's 3.0-liter engine has its power increased by 40 hp to 335 hp while the 2.9-liter V-6 boosts output by 20 hp to 434 hp. The fastest version will accelerate from 0 to 100 kph (62 mph) in 4.9 seconds and has a maximum speed of 265 kph (165 mph).

Porsche’s flagship SUV was unveiled here on Tuesday ahead of its debut at the upcoming Frankfurt auto show. It will come with rear-axle steering already available in the 911 and Panamera, which gives the vehicle a tighter turning radius and helps with high-speed maneuvering. A new eight-speed Tiptronic S transmission offers shorter response times and sportier gear ratios.

To save weight, the sheet metal of the Cayenne is made out of aluminum, the second Porsche model whose exterior is entirely stamped out of the lightweight material after the Panamera. A lightweight lithium ion polymer starter battery also helps cut weight. At 1,985 kg (4,376 pounds), the Cayenne weighs up to 65 kg less than the outgoing model.

The Cayenne is longer and lower which helps to give it a more streamlined look and boost interior space. At 4918 mm (194 inches), its length has grown 63 mm while the wheelbase is unchanged at 2895 mm and roof height is reduced by 9 mm. The luggage compartment volume increases by 100 liters to 770 liters.

Bigger wheels

The SUV's driving dynamics are improved with standard active all-wheel drive. The Cayenne's wheel sizes are an inch bigger at 19 inches with wider tires on the rear axle for the first time to improve driving dynamics in corners. Optional cast-iron brake discs are available, coated with a tungsten-carbide layer to increase fiction while reducing wear.

The Cayenne gets Porsche's 12.3-inch high-definition touchscreen, launched last year with the new-generation Panamera. Safety equipment includes night-vision assistance with a thermal imaging camera, along with lane changing and lane-keeping assistance.

Porsche is expected to add a plug-in hybrid variant of the Cayenne, as in the current generation. Porsche CEO Oliver Blume told Reuters in July that the automaker will decide at the end of the decade whether its latest generation of diesel engines could be its last, although the third-generation Cayenne will still offer a diesel, he said. German Transport Minister Alexander Dobrindt last month ordered a recall of Cayenne models equipped with 3.0-liter diesel engines developed by sister brand Audi after finding potentially illegal emissions controlling software in the vehicles.

The Cayenne is Porsche’s second most successful model with more than 760,000 sold since 2002. The SUV helped the brand to make inroads into key emerging markets such as China in which it previously played a negligible role.

The first-generation Cayenne was controversial at the time of its launch because it tested the limits of Porsche’s image, which rested on two-door sports cars. When it first went on sale there were few premium SUVs and no true performance off-roaders. Die-hard Porsche fans hated the thought of the brand selling a heavy luxury SUV.

The segment has grown since the Cayenne proved luxury sports car brands can move into the SUV range. Within Porsche's parent, the Volkswagen Group, Bentley has already launched the faster Bentayga, while Lamborghini will offer next year the Urus. Fiat Chrysler has added the Maserati Levante and Alfa Romeo Stelvio with its high-performance Quadrifoglio version.

The Cayenne is moving to a version of Volkswagen Group's MLB platform as part of the latest redesign. The MLB platform also underpins the smaller Porsche Macan and various Audi models including the Audi Q7. The Cayenne will be fully manufactured alongside the Q7 and VW Touareg sister models at VW Group's low-cost plant in Bratislava, Slovakia. Currently painted bodies are shipped to Porsche's plant in Leipzig, Germany, for final assembly.

The Cayenne will start in Germany at 74,828 euros, rising to 91,964 euros for the Cayenne S. U.S. prices will start at $66,750 for the Cayenne and $83,950 for the Cayenne S.