The SUV that feels like a sports car

[rooster59]

The SUV that feels like a sports car

By Kingsley Wijayasinha 
The Nation

 

 

Redesigned Porsche Cayenne Coupe boasts a more dynamic design as well as improved driving dynamics – and three choices for engine power

 

Porsche has been highly successful in the global market, including Thailand, with its Cayenne SUV model.

 

While many may have wondered why on earth a famous sportscar manufacturer like Porsche would build an SUV with five seats, the strategy did what it was designed to do when the first Cayenne was launched two decades ago. The model introduced Porsche to a new market and was able to open up a much larger group of buyers, generating huge profits for the company.

 

In Thailand today the Cayenne is probably the most popular Porsche – you can see them every day on our roads. The German sportscar brand has become a household name for those who want a luxury SUV fit for the family (which is definitely more likely to get a spouse’s approval than a two-seater sports car like the 911).

 

Now in its third generation, the Cayenne offers a sportier look much improved over the standard version. Porsche calls it the Cayenne Coupe – it still has five doors, though, and competes against similar models from Audi (the Cayenne shares the same platform as the Q8), BMW (the X6 was the first model of this sort) and Mercedes-Benz (GLE).

 

To my eyes and those of many others, the Cayenne Coupe looks spectacular, boasting a more dynamic design as well as improved driving dynamics, along with a bunch of updated features compared to the standard model.

 

To begin with, the Cayenne Coupe’s sportier design comes from a steeper roofline and shallower windscreen/A-pillar. Porsche says that the roof edge has been lowered by 20 millimetres while the redesigned rear doors and wings broaden the shoulder of the vehicle by 18mm, giving it a muscular appearance.

 

Apart from the fixed roof spoiler, there is also an additional adaptive rear spoiler that pops up at 90km/h and above to increase the downforce on the rear axle. A huge panoramic fixed-glass roof is standard, but a contoured carbon roof (21kg lighter) like the 911 GT3 RS can be ordered along with the Lightweight package.

 

The lightweight and sport packages feature glossy black, carbon (or vehicle colour) exterior parts such as air intakes, wheel arch mouldings, side skirts and a rear apron. Inside, you get classic checkered fabric for the seat centres, Alcantara roof lining and steering wheel.

 

The interior is similar to the standard Cayenne and comes with a large number of features you’d expect from a premium manufacturer, including Burmester or BOSE sound systems.

 

The front seats are comfortable and allow for long journeys without back pain, but given the grip offered by the suspension, more side support would be welcome.

 

Customers can specify whether they want the individual two-seat layout or regular three-seat layout at the rear, plus lots of upholstery choices. The rear seats can be folded to increase luggage space from 625 litres to 1,540 litres (a foot-activated comfort access is offered).

 

The dashboard features a rev counter in the middle and 7-inch full HD screens on each side, while above the centre console is a 12.3-inch full HD touchscreen that offers tablet features.

 

Despite the lower roof height, the seats in the Cayenne Coupe are 30mm lower than the standard model, so there is still plenty of headroom, although rear passengers will feel somewhat limited for headroom due to the design (which also happens with the BMW X6 or Mercedes GLE). In general, there is no problem regarding space – in fact the Coupe is longer than the standard model, although it doesn’t appear as bulky thanks to the clever design. However this is not an SUV you want to use for maximum loading capacity, but rather for style and performance.

 

The Cayenne is available with three engine choices ranging from a 340hp turbocharged V6 for the Cayenne, 440hp V6 twin turbo for the Cayenne S (newly developed) and the 550hp V8 twin turbo for the Cayenne Turbo.

 

While the standard Cayenne Coupe does 0-100km/h in six seconds, the S cuts it down to five seconds while the Turbo does it in 3.9 seconds (which sounds more like a 911’s performance). Top speeds are claimed at 243km/h, 263km/h and 286km/h.

 

I had a chance to drive all three during a media event in Austria last week, and although there weren’t any autobahns to get the speed up, the winding roads offered an opportunity for the Cayenne Coupe to display its roadholding prowess.

 

Despite its size, the Cayenne Coupe gets through tight corners with more authority and speed than regular large SUVs. The steering is the sharpest in class and despite the 2-tonne body weight, the Cayenne Coupe glides through corners like a much lighter vehicle, with minimal body roll.

 

There are loads of drive programmes to fiddle with, including off-road, even though the Cayenne Coupe doesn’t look like a vehicle you want to get dirty in at all. Maybe some light off-roading perhaps, but nothing serious that could scratch the beautiful paint! With the country roads we were driving on, I didn’t even bother using sport modes. There was plenty of power on tap, especially with the Turbo, which breathes fire and is ridiculously fast.

 

Personally I was never a fan of the Cayenne, which is bulky, fuel-thirsty and totally fills up the road. But the Coupe version somehow takes away that spell with its dynamic profile and performance – because it still feels like a sports car. Unfortunately, pricing will be higher than for the Cayenne when it is officially launched here later this year, but at this price range, people are willing to spend more to get what suits them best.

 

Porsche Cayenne Coupe specs

 

Displacement: 2,995cc

 

Bore and stroke: 84.5x89.0

 

Compression ratio: 11.2:1

 

Max power: 340ps/5,300-6,400rpm

 

Max torque: 450Nm/1,340-5,300rpm

 

Transmission: 8-speed automatic

 

Ratios: 5.00/3.20/2.14/1.72/1.31/1.00/0.82/0.64

 

Final drive ratio: 3.21

 

0-100kmh: 6.0 secs

 

Top speed: 243km/h

 

Average fuel economy: 10.6km/litre

 

Average CO2: 212-215g/km

 

Suspension (f/r): multi-link/multi-link

 

Steering: powered rack-and-pinion

 

Turning circle: 12.1 metres

 

Brakes (f/r): vented disc/vented disc

 

Dimensions (mm)

 

Length: 4,931

 

Width: 1,983

 

Height: 1,676

 

Wheelbase: 2,895

 

Track (f/r): 1,674/1,671

 

Weight: 2,030kg

 

Wheels: 20-inch alloys

 

Tyres: 275/45 ZR20 (front)/305/40 ZR 20 (rear)

 

Fuel tank capacity: 75 litres

 

Distributor: AAS Auto Service Co Ltd (Porsche Thailand)

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/Auto_ADO/30370755

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2019-06-09

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[johng]

How many millions of baht ?

[mickyr55]

11 minutes ago, johng said:

How many millions of baht ?

If you need to ask you can't afford it ????

[johng]

If you need to ask you can't afford it [emoji3]

Ha-ha yes certainly correct...I can't afford it. [emoji106]

[Kwasaki]

What about BMW 3L i140 .

[Denim]

No good for rural Thailand. No basket on the front and nowhere to put a buffalo.

[1130bobs]

don't forget the new Bentley & Lamborgini SUV's.  I think they put the porsche in the ho-hum BMW / MB market, for only another 15 - 20 mil THB.  dream on

[Cheops]

3 hours ago, johng said:

Ha-ha yes certainly correct...I can't afford it.

They start to get affordable now on the 2nd hand market. But I prefer a Boxter.

[johng]

They start to get affordable now on the 2nd hand market. But I prefer a Boxter.

Affordable is subjective....Affordable and acceptable (not 30 years on finance) to me for a car would be about 200,000 baht...I'm sure that would get me at least the 4 wheels...maybe even the spare wheel..obviously I'm not rich ! [emoji30]

[Cheops]

11 minutes ago, johng said:

Affordable is subjective....Affordable and acceptable (not 30 years on finance) to me for a car would be about 200,000 baht...I'm sure that would get me at least the 4 wheels...maybe even the spare wheel..obviously I'm not rich !

About 2 to 3 million baht for a 2nd hand Cayenne from 2010-2012.

 

Yes, affordable is relative. I bought a new fortuner in 2005 which is still going strong driving on LPG. Our latest car is a 130k baht 2nd hand Vios for my wife who got her driver's license and she want more practice to improve her driving. I'm starting to look for a new car, since the fortuner is aging, but I'm not in a hurry. Looking at an Everest or maybe the new Terra (Nissan). The current fortuner has got very expensive. 

 

In the Netherlands I drove a MX5 and really miss that car. Very fun car to drive, but with 2 kids no option now 555

Edited June 9, 2019 by Cheops
Correcting the f...ing autocorrect 555

[Isaanbiker]

Trying to find a mechanic who knows how to change the spark plugs is as easy as flying to Neptune, IMO. 

 

   But it's a damn nice ride!!!! 

[Isaanbiker]

15 minutes ago, Cheops said:

About 2 to 3 million baht for a 2nd hand Cayenne from 2010-2012.

 

Yes, affordable is relative. I bought a new fortuner in 2005 which is still going strong driving on LPG. Our latest car is a 130k baht 2nd hand Vios for my wife who got her driver's license and she want more practice to improve her driving. I'm starting to look for a new car, since the fortuner is aging, but I'm not in a hurry. Looking at an Everest or maybe the new Terra (Nissan). The current fortuner has got very expensive. 

 

In the Netherlands I drove a MX5 and really miss that car. Very fun car to drive, but with 2 kids no option now 555

Perhaps have a test drive in a Mitsubishi, quite a few interesting models for an affordable price. 

[Isaanbiker]

5 hours ago, Denim said:

No good for rural Thailand. No basket on the front and nowhere to put a buffalo.

You're wrong. The buffalo fits in the trunk and can be used to pull the car when out of gasoline. Instead of a basket, you can order the beer version. Always fresh beer beats all other extras, Innit? 

Beer from BMW.jfif

[Humpy]

This really does look like an SUV ..... NOT !

[AgMech Cowboy]

If it looks like a car, hard for me to call it a SUV. Just saying...

[CGW]

15 minutes ago, Humpy said:

This really does look like an SUV ..... NOT !

Sports Utility Vehicle, certainly looks Sporty, Utilitarian - yes & its definitely a Vehicle ???? 

I would swap for the wifes SUV.

[Pedrogaz]

I have only seen two in ten years in Thailand, one of whom tried to run me off the road. Although it is not a very distinctive design, say like the 911. Maybe some of the SUVs I thought were Fortuners were Porsches?

[nahkit]

On 6/9/2019 at 7:18 AM, rooster59 said:

In Thailand today the Cayenne is probably the most popular Porsche – you can see them every day on our roads.

Yeah, Isaan is full of them, locals in our village wont drive anything else which is why I haven't got one, I hate following the herd.

[billd766]

On 6/9/2019 at 10:49 AM, Matzzon said:

Is there more people than me, that can´t grasp where the SUV-factor is regarding this model?

It fits 2 of 3. It is Sports and it is a Vehicle, but Utility, no way.

 

My 18 year old Ford Ranger also fits 2 of 3.

 

It is Utility and a Vehicle, but Sports? 

 

Never in a hundred years.

 

Plenty of room in the truck bed for a sick buffalo.

Edited June 10, 2019 by billd766
Edited for bad spelling after I had posted it

[RJRS1301]

Maserati SUV I think out performs the Porche