2018 Porsche Cayenne: first details 30 | 08 | 2017
PORSCHE HAS RELEASED first images and details of the third generation of the car which many believed saved the company, and turned it into the most profitable in the world: the Porsche Cayenne. It’s on-sale now at Scottish dealerships price from £56,000, though first deliveries aren’t expected until April 2018
Launched first in 2003, the original Cayenne drew criticism from Porsche purists, not only the fact it was an SUV, but — how shall I put it? — it wasn’t really a looker.
The second-gen addressed much of the aesthetics, and now this latest Cayenne (watch our video of the 2018 Cayenne undergoing testing) which is around 65kg lighter, builds on the sporty lines of the Macan. There are also styling cues from the latest Panamera saloon.
But despite what appears to be only mild exterior design changes, the bulk of the Cayenne’s improvements — including an aluminium body structure, a 48V electrical system and added connectivity options — lie under the skin. (Related: New £5m Porsche Centre for Scotland)
Set to be officially unveiled at next month’s Frankfurt Motor Show, Porsche’s latest large SUV — which sits on the same MLB architecture as the Audi Q7 and Bentley Bentayga — is now 63mm longer and 9mm lower.
That, combined with increased use of horizontal lines at the front, give the latest model a more squat stance. The newcomer’s wheelbase remains the same as its predecessor.
Viewed from the side, the profile is pretty much unchanged from the previous model, though the newcomer does have a marginally longer rear overhang. This helps boost boot capacity by 100 litres, to 770 litres.
The interior of the Cayenne — which has always been a pretty sumptuous cabin in which to travel — has been given an update. The fascia has been overhauled and now closely resembles that of the Panamera.
Porsche has continued with its dominant large centre console, though a number of the buttons have disappeared as their functions have been incorporated into the new 12.3-inch touchscreen. Thankfully the Cayenne’s distinctive grab-handles remain.
Two petrol engines are available from launch. The ‘entry-level’ £55,965 Cayenne gets a 335bhp 3.0-litre turbocharged V6, and is capable of 0-62mph in 6.2secs. It’ll carry on to a max of 152mph. (Related: Roadtest — Audi Q7 3.0TDI quattro)
The Cayenne S — which starts at £68,330 — is powered by a 434bhp and 550Nm twin-turbo 2.9-litre V6. The 0-62mph time drops to 5.2secs — and improves further to 4.9 seconds if Porsche’s Sport Chrono option is fitted — and tops out at 165mph.
The Sport Chrono Package, which is available as an option across the Porsche range, gives drivers the choice of four modes: Normal, Sport, Sport Plus and an individually configurable setting. A Sport Response function sets the mapping for the engine and transmission to their most performance-orientated settings. Air suspension and rear-wheel sterering are also on the comprehensive options list.
The first half of 2018 will see the arrival of a new 416bhp turbo 4.0-litre V8 diesel, plus the range-topping, 540bhp Turbo petrol. A pair of plug-in hybrids — running the same petrol-electric driveline combinations introduced to the 455bhp Panamera E-Hybrid and 666bhp Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid — are also on the cards.
Related: Roadtest — Porsche Macan S
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Jim McGill