The History Of Porsche Cayenne

The Porsche Cayenne is a five-seat mid-size luxury sport utility vehicle manufactured by the German automaker Porsche since 2002, with North American sales beginning in 2003. It is the first V8 engined vehicle built by Porsche since 1995, when the Porsche 928 was discontinued.

Porsche intended the Cayenne to be the new benchmark for SUVs[citation needed]. The Cayenne's frame and doors are sourced from Volkswagen, who uses the frames and doors for the Volkswagen Touareg model. All other aspects of vehicle design, tuning, production are done in house at Porsche.

The Cayenne's appearance was criticized on the BBC TV series Top Gear. The presenters concluded that whilst the car was well engineered and was a capable off-roader, it was an extremely ugly vehicle.

All 2008 engines feature direct injection. The charge-cooling effect of direct fuel injection permits a higher compression ratio without the risk of detonation, improving horsepower and torque. There are currently 6 engines available in the Cayenne:

• 3.0L 240PS V6 Turbo Diesel from Volkswagen
• 3.6L 290PS (273ft·lbf) VR6 from Volkswagen (Based on the unit offered in the VW & Audi but with modifications made to the intake, exhaust, timing systems and head)
• 4.8L 385hp (283kW) 369ft·lbf (500N·m) V8 (S)
• 4.8L 405hp (298kW) 369ft·lbf (500N·m) V8 (GTS)
• 4.8L 500hp (368kW) 516ft·lbf (700N·m) twin-turbocharged V8 (Turbo)
• 4.8L 550hp (404kW) 553ft·lbf (750N·m) twin-turbocharged V8 (Turbo S)

Cayenne (Base Model)

The Base model is powered by a 3.6-liter VR6 engine producing 290hp (220kW); modifications in the exhaust manifold allow power to peak at 6700 rpm. The Cayenne V6 pricing starts at $45,000, making it the lowest priced Porsche available.

Starting in February 2009, the Base model is also offered with a 3.0-liter V6 Turbo Diesel.

Cayenne S

The S is powered by a naturally aspirated 8-cylinder engine with a compression ratio of 12.5:1. A dry-sump lubrication system improves efficiency, while Porsche's VarioCam Plus variable timing extends the power band. The Cayenne S' 4.8-liter V8 produces 385hp (287kW) and 369ft·lbf (500N·m) of torque. Acceleration from 0-62 mph is 6.4 seconds and the top speed is 155 miles per hour.

Cayenne GTS

The GTS is powered with a 405 hp 4.8 liter V8 and features a new sport suspension and 21-inch (530mm) wheels. It slots between the Cayenne S and Cayenne Turbo, is lighter than the Cayenne S, and has an aerodynamic body kit. Its unique feature is a second row of bucket seats instead of the Cayenne's standard bench. The Porsche Cayenne GTS has a 0 to 60mph (97km/ h) time of 5.7 seconds. A six-speed manual transmission is also offered.

Cayenne Turbo

Cayenne Turbo S

The 1st generation Cayenne Turbo had 450horsepower (340kW), and it completed the 0 to 60mph (97km/ h) run in just 5.3 seconds. A Turbo S version was built in 2006 to compete with the Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG. The Cayenne Turbo S included a low-range case, a locking differential, and the height-adjustable, off-road suspension also standard on the regular Turbo model. It was powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.8-liter V8 that produces 500bhp (370kW) and 700 NM of torque. Acceleration from 0-60 mph (96km/ h) was 5.0 seconds and the top speed was 171 miles per hour. It featured a 6-speed automatic Tiptronic transmission as standard.

A new Turbo was revealed at the 2008 Beijing auto show. For 2008, it got 50hp (37kW) more power, and instead of a 5.3 second 0-60mph time, the new Cayenne Turbo gets from 0-60mph (96km/ h) in just 4.9 seconds. A new Turbo S also was revealed at the 2008 Beijing auto show. It gains power to 550horsepower (410kW) and accelerates from 0-60 mph in 4.7 seconds or from 0-62mph (100km/ h) in 5.1 seconds. It features 21-inch (530mm) alloy wheels and has optional ceramic composite brakes.

Hybrid

At the IAA 2005, Porsche announced it will produce a hybrid version of the Cayenne before 2010 (Porsche Cayenne Hybrid). Two years later, at the IAA 2007, Porsche presented a functioning Cayenne Hybrid and demonstration model of the drivetrain.

Notable modifications to this car include an electric vacuum pump and hydraulic steering pump, allowing the car to function even when the engine is deactivated. A 288-volt nickel metal hydride battery is placed under the boot floor, occupying the space normally used for a spare tire.

There will be two versions of the Cayenne Hybrid - Regular, S, and Turbo. The regular will have a 236horsepower (176kW) V6 engine, getting the car to 60mph (97km/ h) in 8.1 seconds. The Cayenne S Hybrid will have a 328horsepower (245kW) V6 engine, and it will reach 60mph (97km/ h) in 6.9 seconds. The Cayenne Turbo Hybrid will have a 383horsepower (286kW) V8 engine, powering the car to 60mph (97km/ h) in 6.0 seconds.

The Cayenne Hybrid will be lighter than the Cayenne, the Hybrid will be getting an EPA estimated 21 city, 28 highway. The Cayenne S Hybrid will get 20 city, 26 highway. The Cayenne Turbo Hybrid will get 18 city, 24 highway. A cylinder deactivation system will be in all Hybrid models. A Cayenne GTR concept is currently being planned for those who want Hybrid technology but would like more power and higher performance than the Turbo Hybrid. If the GTR were to ever be in production, it would reach 60mph in 5.4 seconds and get about 16 city, 21 highway.

The hybrid Cayenne will be available in 2009. . It is expected to achieve 11.1km/ L under tougher European standards.

Diesel

Porsche will be selling a diesel version of the Cayenne powered by Volkswagen's 3.0L V6 TDI engine from February 2009 onwards. The engine produces 240horsepower (180kW) and 550Nm of torque.

Cayenne S Transsyberia

It was originally a racing vehicle for Transsyberia rally. At least 26 had been built.

The street version was later built to commemorate Porsche's victory in Transsyberia rally. It is a variant with 405-hp (20 over original Transsyberia) direct-inject 4.8L V8 from the Cayenne GTS with optional 6-speed Tiptronic S automatic transmission with a final drive ratio shortened 15% to 4.1:1.

It began on sale on January 2009.

The next generation Porsche Cayenne is expected to arrive in mid-late 2010. First spy photos of the car were posted on the internet on the 5th of June 2008 . The Cayenne will again be the first of the three new SUVs from the VW group. The new Touareg will be 6-12 months behind.