Vehicle Overview
The all-wheel-drive Porsche Cayenne was redesigned for the 2011 model year. Along with new exterior and interior styling, the Cayenne came with a sliding backseat, increased power and better mileage in all versions. A Cayenne S Hybrid is claimed to deliver the acceleration of a V-8 with the mileage of a V-6. A new Cayenne Diesel debuts for 2013. The five-seat crossover competes with the Infiniti FX, BMW X5 and Land Rover Range Rover Sport.
(Skip to details on the: Cayenne S Hybrid)
New for 2013
Porsche’s first diesel engine for the U.S. makes its debut in the 2013 Cayenne SUV. With an estimated 20/28 mpg city/highway, the Cayenne Diesel should get 21 percent better fuel economy than a base Cayenne with a gas V-6 and an automatic transmission. It hits dealerships in fall 2012 with a starting price of $55,750 plus a destination charge.
Power comes from a 240-horsepower, turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 diesel engine that makes 406 pounds-feet of torque at 1,750 rpm. The engine works with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. Porsche cites a zero-to-60-mph time of 7.2 seconds, a top speed of 135 mph and a driving range of 740 miles, longer than most of your passengers will be willing to tolerate in one sitting.
In addition to the Cayenne Diesel, a new Cayenne GTS also debuts. The GTS is based on the Cayenne S but makes 20 hp more from its V-8 engine for a total of 420 hp, and it features a 20-millimeter lower ride height and a lower final-drive ratio. The V-8 drives an eight-speed automatic that sends power to each of the wheels through an all-wheel-drive system. Its zero-to-60-mph time is 5.4 seconds, according to Porsche, with a top speed of 162 mph.
Special GTS styling cues include gloss-black trim, wider wheel arches, a hood and front end shared with the Cayenne Turbo and 20-inch wheels. Unique cabin features include sport seats with Alcantara simulated suede accents and a system that directs engine intake sounds into the passenger compartment. The Cayenne GTS arrives in August 2012 priced at $82,050 plus a destination charge.
A new Cayenne Turbo S trim gets a tuned version of the Cayenne Turbo’s 4.8-liter V-8, making a powerful 550 hp and 553 pounds-feet of torque. With a zero-to-60-mph acceleration time of 4.3-seconds, the 2013 Cayenne Turbo S is Porsche’s quickest SUV. Standard features include unique 21-inch wheels, advanced adaptive handling and chassis control systems, gloss-black exterior accents and an exclusive two-tone leather interior.
Exterior
The 2011 restyling produced a streamlined crossover that looks more like Porsche’s cars, especially in the headlight design. Even the Turbo, which has the boldest front end with the largest air intakes, looks less exaggerated than the previous generation. The Cayenne is both lighter and longer compared with the prior generation. Exterior features include:
- Available skid plates and underbody protection for off-roading
- Available panoramic glass roof or tilt/sliding moonroof
- LED taillamps
- Standard rear spoiler
- Standard 18-inch wheels; 19-, 20- or 21-inch wheels available
Interior
With the Cayenne’s redesign, the interior was as extensively upgraded as the exterior. Rich materials, including convincing faux metals, replace surfaces that had been substandard since the model’s debut. The crossover combines the previous version’s signature center-mounted grab handles with a high center console that rises upward to meet the dashboard.
Backseat roominess was increased, thanks in part to seats that slide forward and back 6.3 inches, allowing passengers to choose copious legroom with less cargo volume behind the backseat or less legroom with more cargo volume than was available in the previous generation (23.7 cubic feet, up from 19.1). The 60/40-split backrests also recline in three increments. Interior features include:
- Touch-screen dash display
- Optional Bose or Burmester stereos
- Optional six-CD changer
Under the Hood
A 300-hp, 3.6-liter V-6 engine powers the base Cayenne. The new Cayenne Diesel has a 240-hp, turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 diesel engine. The S version has a 400-hp, 4.8-liter V-8 (420 hp in the GTS). The turbocharged version of this engine produces 500 hp. The high-performance Turbo S makes 550 hp. Mechanical features include:
- Base Cayenne comes with six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission
- Diesel and V-8 models are only available with an automatic transmission
- Automatic-transmission models feature fuel-saving stop/start technology (except Cayenne Diesel)
- Left-right torque vectoring and a locking differential are optional on the rear axle
- Optional adaptive suspension
- Optional active suspension
Safety
The Cayenne’s front occupants get frontal, driver’s knee and seat-mounted side-impact airbags. There are also side curtain airbags for both rows of seats. Additional safety features include:
- Antilock brakes
- Electronic stability system
- Traction control
- Optional blind spot warning system
- Optional adaptive cruise control
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Cayenne S Hybrid
The Cayenne S Hybrid combines acceleration comparable to that of the V-8-powered Cayenne S with the efficiency of a V-6, according to Porsche. It teams a 333-hp, supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 with two electric motors and a 288-volt battery pack for a combined 380 hp and 428 pounds-feet of torque.
Unlike some hybrids, the Cayenne S Hybrid uses a step-gear automatic transmission, a version of the eight-speed automatic in the other Cayennes. The hybrid can accelerate up to 40 mph in electric mode, which compares to other hybrids, but it also utilizes a “sailing” mode that shuts the engine off, allowing coasting at speeds as high as 97 mph. The Cayenne S Hybrid also features stop/start technology that’s found in other Cayennes. Porsche claims the Cayenne S Hybrid will go from zero to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds and achieve a top speed of 150 mph. Back to top
