Porsche Cayenne
This article contains content that is written like an advertisement. (April 2008) |
Porsche Cayenne | |
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Overview | |
Manufacturer | Porsche |
Production | 2002-present |
Assembly | Zuffenhausen, Germany (engine) Bratislava, Slovakia (coachwork) Delitzsch near Leipzig, Germany (final assembly) |
Body and chassis | |
Class | Mid-size SUV |
Body style | 5-door SUV |
Layout | Front engine, four-wheel drive |
Platform | Volkswagen Group 7L platform |
Related | Volkswagen Touareg Audi Q7 |
Porsche Cayenne 1st generation | |
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Overview | |
Production | 2002–2006 |
Powertrain | |
Engine | 3.2 L 250 hp V6 4.5 L 340 hp (254 kW) V8 (S) 4.5 L 450 hp (336 kW) V8 (Turbo) 4.5 L 521 hp (389 kW) V8 (Turbo S) |
Transmission | 6-speed automatic 6-speed manual |
Dimensions | |
Wheelbase | Template:Auto mm |
Length | Template:Auto mm Turbo: Template:Auto mm |
Width | Template:Auto mm |
Height | Template:Auto mm |
Porsche Cayenne 1st generation (face-lifted) | |
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Overview | |
Production | 2008–present |
Powertrain | |
Engine | 3.6 L 290 hp (216 kW) V6 4.8 L 385 hp (287 kW) V8 (S) 4.8 L 405 hp (302 kW) V8 (GTS) 4.8 L 500 hp (370 kW) V8 (Turbo) |
Transmission | 6-speed manual 6-speed automatic |
Dimensions | |
Wheelbase | Template:Auto mm |
Length | Template:Auto mm Turbo: Template:Auto mm |
Width | Template:Auto mm |
Height | Template:Auto mm |
The Porsche Cayenne is a five-seat mid-size sport utility vehicle (otherwise known as a 'Chelsea Tractor') 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. People who own and drive Porshe Cayennes are commonly knows as 'wankers' and 'pricks' because they have more money than sense and the only off-road action their car will ever see is when they park it on their gravel driveways. A Cayenne, for example, was used by the Georgia Tech DARPA Urban Challenge team, Team Sting. The team's bid in the competition ended when the expensive vehicle crashed into a concrete barrier during the semi-finals of the event[1].
Design
Porsche intended the Cayenne to be the new benchmark for SUVs [citation needed]. 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 appearence 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) V6 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 V6 is massaged by Porsche to create more power for use in their base model Cayenne. The engine delivers 290 hp (220 kW) and modifications in the exhaust manifold allow it to peak at 6700 rpm. The 2008 Cayenne V6 will start at $44,295, 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 385 hp (287 kW) and 369 ft⋅lbf (500 N⋅m) 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 405 horsepower (302 kW) 4.8-liter V8 good for a 0-60 mph time of less than 6 seconds, a new sport suspension and 21-inch (530 mm) 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. The Cayenne GTS will be available in GTS Red and Nordic Gold Metallic with a sticker price of $69,300. [2]
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 503 hp (375 kW), and accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds, and partly as a last "hoorah". But unlike the Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG[3], 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 cunsumes 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. [4]
Recently, Michael Winkler, managing director of Porsche Australia, revealed that a hybrid Cayenne would be available in 2009.[5]. 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.[6]
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 [7]. 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.
See also
- List of hybrid vehicles
- Lohner-Porsche Mixte Hybrid, the first hybrid in history.
References
- ^ Team Sting Crash at DARPA Urban Challenge Video
- ^ Porsche Cayenne GTS at the Chicago Auto Show | Automoblog.net
- ^ Mercedes-Benz, Home of Mercedes-Benz Luxury Automobiles
- ^ Look: Porsche Cayenne Hybrid - Edmunds
- ^ Porsche to offer Cayenne Turbo Hybrid? - Autoblog
- ^ Porsche AG - Press releases - About Porsche - Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG
- ^ 2010 Porsche Cayenne spy photos - CarAdvice
External links