Porsche reveals the most potent Cayenne yet: the Turbo GT
So, what does 640hp gives you? Well, a time of 7min 38.9sec at the 'Ring to become the fastest production-based SUV, for starters.
Porsche first manufactured the Cayenne SUV in 2002 with the range increasing to 13 different models as I type this. It was the Cayenne that brought Porsche into the SUV game and safe to say, it has been the money-maker for many, many years. So, as thanks to its customers, the Stuttgart carmaker has just unveiled the top-of-the-line Cayenne Turbo GT.
Of course, the Turbo GT is based on the Coupe Turbo variant, but it does promise new levels of performance, dynamic ability, and driver engagement with a high degree of everyday usability. The range-topper offers several changes in its styling, mainly to help cool the brakes better and keep the engine efficiency for a longer period while also looking out for stability and downforce.
What’s new, then? A new lip spoiler with enlarged cooling ducts at the base of the redesigned front bumper, a modified roof spoiler with new carbon fiber wing elements, and a 25mm wider rear spoiler to provide the mean-machine with 40kg of added downforce when fully deployed from the top of the tailgate which looks great, by the way.
Further, you get the door mirror caps and lower part of the rear diffuser finished in carbon with the twin tailpipes positioned at the center to improve the airflow underneath the SUV. The new variant in the Cayenne range gets 22inchers, 10.5-inch wide at the front and 11.5-inch wide at the rear, wrapped in the tarmac-tasty Pirelli P Zero Corsa performance tyres that Porsche claims were designed specifically for the new model.
The Turbo GT will be sitting about an inch lower than the standard Cayenne Turbo Coupe while Porsche says the suspension and the electronically controlled chassis systems were specifically tuned for this model. The three-chamber air suspension is 15% stiffer and the dampers have been retuned as well with the power steering and rear-axle steering along with the Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control system to reduce body roll and improve turn-in also undergoing some improvements.
On the power front, you can enjoy 640hp and 850Nm of torque, an increase of 90hp and 80Nm over the standard Cayenne Coupe, from the 4.0L, twin-turbo, V8 petrol motor, the same unit found in the rivals Lamborghini Urus and Audi RS Q8. However, in the Lambo, the power figures stand at 650hp and 850Nm whereas the Urus has 600hp and 800Nm.
Porsche has been able to improve performance by working on a modified crankshaft, additional turbocharger boost pressure, and subtle tweaks to the fuel injection, induction, and intercooler all of which resulted in a 0-100kph time of 3.3sec for the Turbo GT when fitted with the optional Sport Chrono package, a reduction of 0.6sec over the Cayenne Coupe Turbo and 0.3sec quicker than the Urus. The engine comes mated to a reworked 8-speed Torque Convertor which features new software that’s claimed to shorten response times.
On the inside, you get a new Sports Steering Wheel that has a Sports Response button as well as electronically adjustable sports seats up front and two individual seats in the rear. Stitching and seatbelts are available in gold or grey, with the same ‘ol Alcantara doing its trick in the Porsche. For the customers in the US, the Cayenne Turbo GT is available for $182,150 including destination and delivery with the UK customers being charged from £143,910.
