Porsche_Cayenne

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Porsche Cayenne

The Porsche Cayenne is a five-seat mid-size 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.

Design

Porsche intended the Cayenne to be the new benchmark for SUVs . The Cayenne's frame and doors are sourced from Volkswagen, who also use 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 criticised 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.

2008 model range

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. Fuel consumption has been reduced approximately 0.4 to 0.8 km/L across the range, even though the official window stickers say otherwise - the EPA changed its testing methodology in 2008. Fuel consumption is 6 km/L city, 8.5 km/L Motorway for the base model. The drag coefficient is 0.35 Cd and all models get a power lift gate and a tire pressure monitoring system. There are currently 5 engines available in the Cayenne:

3.6 L 290 PS (273 ft·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)
4.8 L 385 hp (283 kW) 369 ft·lbf (500 N·m) V8 (S)
4.8 L 405 hp (298 kW) 369 ft·lbf (500 N·m) V8 (GTS)
4.8 L 500 hp (368 kW) 516 ft·lbf (700 N·m) twin-turbocharged V8 (Turbo)
4.8 L 550 hp (404 kW) 553 ft·lbf (750 N·m) twin-turbocharged V8 (Turbo S) (August 08)

Variants

Cayenne (Base Model)

Its Volkswagen-sourced 3.6-liter VR6 is massaged by Porsche to create more power for use in their base model Cayenne. The engine delivers and modifications in the exhaust manifold allow it to peak at 6700 rpm. The 2008 Cayenne V6 will start at about $45,000, making it the lowest priced Porsche available.

Cayenne S

This has a normally aspirated 8-cylinder engine with an unusually high 12.5:1 compression ratio. 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 some and of torque, good for a 6.4 second time from 0-100 km/h and a top speed of 249 km/h.

Cayenne GTS

Comes with a revised 4.8-liter V8 good for a 0-60 mph time of less than 6 seconds, a new sport suspension and wheels. It slots between the Cayenne S and Cayenne Turbo, will also be lighter than the Cayenne S, and wear a new aerodynamic body kit. Its unique feature is a second row of bucket seats instead of the Cayenne's standard bench. This will also be the first V-8 Cayenne to offer a six-speed manual transmission in addition to the standard Tiptronic.

Cayenne Turbo

Cayenne Turbo S

Porsche built a Turbo S version only for the 2006 model year, partly to compete with the Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG, which produces , and accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds, and partly as a last "hoorah". But unlike the Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG, the Cayenne Turbo S includes a low-range case, a locking differential, and the height-adjustable, off-road suspension also standard on the regular Turbo model. The Cayenne Turbo S Has got a 4.8-litre, twin-turbocharged V8, that produces 500 bhp, and 700 nm of torque. It's able to accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 5.1 seconds, and has got a top speed of 275 km/h. It features a 6-speed automatic Tiptronic transmission as standard, and consumes 14.9 litres of petrol per 100 km.

Porsche has just released the details of the new Cayenne Turbo S (EUR 111,400 starting price) at the 2008 Beijing auto show. It will have an extra 50 hp, raising the total horsepower to 550, which lowers its 0-100 km/h time to a mere 4.7 seconds. It's distinguished by standard 21 inch Sport Plus alloy wheels and, for the first time in the Cayenne line, optional Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes that measure a whopping 40.64 cm in front and 36.83 cm in back. The new Cayenne Turbo S is expected to be introduced to the market in August 2008.

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.

Recently, Michael Winkler, managing director of Porsche Australia, revealed that a hybrid Cayenne would be available in 2009.. Winkler also said that the system is designed to work with all of the engines in the Cayenne lineup, including turbocharged versions.

The Cayenne Hybrid is expected to achieve 11.1km/L under tougher European standards.

Cayenne S Transsyberia

It was originally a racing vechicle 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.

The final vehicle cost €77,558. It began on sale on January 2009.

Next generation

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.