Porsche Cayenne

KOMPAS.com - Porsche says its new Cayenne feels more like a Porsche than the previous model. Richard Blackburn tests the claim. Porsche says its new Cayenne off-roader is “more Porsche than ever before”. It’s a claim that is more of an admission than a boast.

The original Cayenne, launched in 2003, met with howls of derision from Porsche purists, who believed the sports car maker should stick to making sports cars. It also drew criticism from the motoring media, who thought the off-roader was too slow, awkward-looking and cumbersome to wear a Porsche badge.

The new model goes a long way to addressing those concerns. It looks sleeker and smaller, despite being slightly wider and longer than the previous model; it uses up to 23 per cent less fuel, courtesy of a new eight-speed automatic transmission and a hefty weight loss of almost 200kg; and it is quicker in the 0-100km/h sprint.

The new range will also include a hybrid model for the first time; an attempt to reduce the company’s carbon footprint, and at the same time increase sales in the United States, which is yet to warm to diesel-powered four-wheel-drives.

The Cayenne range is also more bitumen focused than before, with the petrol V8 and V6 models doing away with the traditional permanent all-wheel-drive system and low-range gearbox designed for serious off-roading.

The diesel V6 version, which will make up the bulk of sales in Australia, will retain the traditional system. In the metal, the new Cayenne looks a more agile beast than its predecessor, with sleeker, sportier lines and more muscular haunches.

That first impression is reinforced when you get behind the wheel. The new Cayenne’s lighter kerb weight translates to more nimble road manners. It remains a heavy vehicle (more than 2 tonnes) so the body still leans through corners, but it has plenty of grip and feels stable, secure and eager to change direction. The accurate, meaty steering and strong brakes add to the confident feel on the open road.

For the first time, Porsche is offering its active suspension management system as an option on the Cayenne. The system adjusts suspension settings to match the road conditions and allows the driver to choose between three settings: comfort, for a more supple ride; normal; and sport for a firmer ride and better road holding.

The system will cost $3790 on V6 models and will be standard on V8s. Our test car was fitted with the system and it proved reasonably effective, although the ride did feel a little sharp and fidgety at lower speeds.

We’ll reserve final judgement until we’ve drive it on local roads, but the idea of being able to choose your comfort level is a good one. Porsche says 95 per cent of its V6 Cayenne buyers choose the diesel engine over the petrol V6 and, after a drive in both variants, we believe buyers are choosing wisely.

The 175kW diesel hesitates a little off the mark as the turbo spools up, but once you’re moving it feels punchy, with plenty of mid-range response for overtaking.

It’s also quiet and refined for a diesel, only betraying its oil-burning roots when it’s idling, which isn’t very often because it uses Porsche’s stop-start technology, where the engine shuts down when you’re stopped at the lights to save fuel. The feature is reasonably unobtrusive, although there is a small shudder and clatter when the engine fires up again.

The V6 petrol engine doesn’t have the urge of the diesel and seems louder and more raucous under full power. The Porsche’s eight-speed transmission isn’t a standout, either; it can be a little jerky on take-off and hesitates sometimes when you kick down.

Inside, the Cayenne is supremely comfortable and surprisingly practical. The controls for the air-conditioning, entertainment and in-car communication are all logically laid out and easy to operate.

No mind-boggling menu-based systems, just simple buttons that work well. Satellite navigation is standard, as is Bluetooth connectivity. The front seats are heavily bolstered and very comfortable, while the new car’s stretched wheelbase has liberated more rear leg room. The rear seats can also tilt and slide.

The fit and finish in the cabin is first class, with quality materials and tasteful highlights. The rear load area is also wide and deep enough to accommodate family motoring.

Front, side and curtain airbags are standard, along with stability control. Radar cruise control and blind spot monitoring are options, as is a reversing camera on the V6 models.

Prices for the new range start at $103,500 for the V6 petrol, $104,500 for the diesel, $147,900 for the V8 S model, $159,900 for the S hybrid and $239,900 for the Turbo.

We won’t get to test the V8 or hybrid versions of the Cayenne till next month, but based on initial impressions the V6 models certainly look, feel and drive more like Porsches than their predecessors.