First introduced in 2002, the Cayenne is one of the premier vehicles to blend high-performance speed with the stance and road presence of an SUV. Despite rapid growth and growing popularity in the segment, Porsche remains a leader by staying one step ahead, a move embodied by the introduction of the 2016 Cayenne Turbo S.
With an official reveal at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show, the new top-range Cayenne features an updated twin-turbo, V-8 engine and a chassis capable of slinging around 5,000 pounds like a Wii controller in the hands of a hyperactive kid.
The company claims every vehicle it makes is a “genuine sports car”, even if it happens to weigh two and a half tons. It doesn’t really matter if you agree with that statement or not, because when it comes down to it, the Cayenne Turbo S is more than capable of producing numbers that even some of the most track-oriented vehicles in the world have a tough time besting.
Here’s a number for you: a lap around the North Loop at the Nürburgring under eight minutes, at 7:59.74. Here’s another: 0 to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds. Clearly, mass is no object when it comes to the engineers from Stuttgart.
With a launch date in the U.S. scheduled for late April, the new Cayenne looks to set a new pace in the world of fast, luxury SUVs. It’s a mind-bending automobile, and for those folks who want it all, including comfortable seating for four passengers, and a 0-to-60 time faster than a 911 Carrera 4S, it doesn’t get much better than this.
Updated 01/23/2015: We’ve added a series of new images from the car’s official debut at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show. Check the new images in the "Pictures" tab.
Click past the jump to read more about the 2016 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S.
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2016 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S
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Year:2016
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Make:
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Model:
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Engine:V8
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Transmission:8-speed Tiptronic S
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Horsepower @ RPM:570 @ 6000
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Torque @ RPM:590
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Displacement:4.8 L
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0-60 time:3.8 sec.
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Top Speed:176 mph
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Price:158295
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Price:
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car segment:
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body style:
Exterior
Exhibiting all those classic design cues that we’ve come to expect from Porsche, the 2016 Cayenne Turbo S comes with a few new features that add even more sporty flair to the exterior. The biggest attention grabbers are the standard 21-inch 911 Turbo style wheels, which hug the fender wells on a lowered body with menacing intent. Also standard are LED headlights equipped with Porsche’s Dynamic Light System Plus (PDLS Plus), which can dynamically adjust beam intensity and range when detecting oncoming traffic, as well as beam width when cornering.
The front end is fitted with a high-gloss black surround for the air inlet and undersides of the door mirrors, while the rear roof spoiler and wheel arch moldings are matched to the overall paint color. Buyers will also have a variety of options at their disposal, like a panoramic roof system, an understated body kit, and stainless steel skid plates if you happen to be crazy enough to drive your Cayenne onto dirt.
Exterior Dimensions
| Length | 191.1 Inches |
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| Width | 85.2 Inches |
| Height | 67.0 Inches |
| Wheelbase | 114.0 Inches |
| Curb weight | 4927 lbs. |
Interior
The interior on the Cayenne Turbo S is as well appointed as just about any other six-figure SUV, with abundant leather, aluminum, wood, and Alcantara spread throughout, not to mention a generous helping of carbon to remind you what’s lurking just beneath the throttle.
Options include a choice between either highly bolstered sport seats, or flatter comfort seats, both of which are ventilated for a little extra money. There are also plenty of electronic driving aides, like adaptive cruise control, lane change assist, and lane departure warning. Finally, a black/crème color combo makes the list alongside 10 other alternatives.
Drivetrain
The competition surrounding fast SUVs is definitely accelerating, which prompted Porsche to add a little more juice to the 4.8-liter, twin-turbo V-8 petrol engine sitting under the Cayenne’s bonnet. With an extra 20 ponies and 37 pound-feet, the new Turbo S sports 570 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque running through all four wheels. In total, nearly half a second has been sliced from the 0-to-60 time, while top speed hovers around 176 mph. Throttle response has also been improved by moving the turbos to integrate them directly into the exhaust manifold, which reduces spool time and fattens the torque curve.
A slew of electronic Porsche racing technology keeps the shiny side up on this enormously quick (and enormously sized) vehicle. Most amazing are the Porsche Composite Ceramic Brakes (PCCB), which are installed in the front with 16.5-inch diameter rotors, and gargantuan 10 piston-calipers. The rear brakes are puny by comparison, with scrawny 14.6-inch rotors and dinky four-piston calipers.
Body lean is a serious issue when cornering 5,000 pounds at triple-digit speeds, so a Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) system is called to action for active roll stabilization. Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus) also increases stability through the bends by applying brakes to either the left or right side of the vehicle. A permanent all-wheel-drive system and Porsche Traction Management (PTM) provides max grip.
Finally, there’s an optional sport exhaust that can transmit all that glorious V-8 rumble directly into the cabin at the touch of a button.
Drivetrain Specifications
| Cylinder layout / number of cylinders | V engine / 8 |
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| Displacement | 4.8 Liters |
| Engine layout | Front Engine / All wheel drive |
| Horsepower | 570 HP @ 6,000 RPM |
| Torque | 590 Lb-FT |
| Compression ratio | 10.5 : 1 |
| Transmission | 8-speed Tiptronic S |
| Top Track Speed | 176 mph |
| 0 - 60 mph | 3.8 sec |
Prices
Available in the U.S. this spring, the Cayenne Turbo S can be had for $158,295. That includes all the most important standard features, but there are a few nice options to choose from for those interested in customizing their S Über V. For the money, it’s about right.
Competition
Bentley Bentayga
Back in 2013, Bentley publicly announced its intention to build an SUV, a first in its lineup of coupes, sedans, and convertibles. What’s more, the British premium brand declared that it would be the “most powerful and luxurious” vehicle in its class. Finally, in an interview with AutoCar, Bentley’s head honcho Wolfgang Dürheimer said the Bentayga will be the most expensive SUV on the market, at $220,000.
With so many bold claims flying around, the rumor mill is running at full tilt, with possible engine options including a twin-turbo V-8, and even a W-12. Regardless, we’ll know soon enough, as the Bentayga should break cover some time later this year, with sales beginning in 2016. A plug-in hybrid is scheduled to follow soon thereafter in 2017.
Range Rover Sport SVR
Originally released in 2006, the Range Rover Sport was blessed with a ton of power to challenge the luxury performance SUVs of BMW and Mercedes. Now, Range Rover has a new model called the SVR, and it brings the Sport philosophy to a whole other level.
Seen from the rear (no doubt a common sight), there’s a quad exhaust sitting among a rear diffuser, flared wheel arches, and standard 21-inch wheels, lending it quite the aggressive demeanor. The interior is pleasant, with leather upholstery, aluminum trim, and all the fixings you’d expect. But most importantly, there’s the outstanding performance.
This latest mega-powered SVR model comes with a supercharged, 5.0-liter V-8, making it the most powerful Range Rover ever created. With 542 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque, the SVR can hit 60 mph in 4.5 seconds and run to a top speed of 162 mph. It can also turn pretty well, with a Nürburgring lap time clocked at 8 minutes and 14 seconds.
While not quite as fast as the Cayenne Turbo S, the SVR is significantly cheaper, with starting prices coming in at $111,400. Is $47K worth 14 seconds per lap at the Ring? I suppose it depends on who you ask.
Conclusion
Back in early 2000s, the Cayenne did a magnificent job in bolstering sales for the struggling Porsche brand. Nowadays, it’s still one of the best-selling models to come from Stuttgart, and the new Turbo S model should be no different. In many ways it’s the standard for performance SUVs. For anyone who wants to run circles around pretty much everything else on the road on their way to pick up a family of four and a week’s worth of groceries, this is it. Just be prepared to smash that piggy bank before hitting the Porsche dealership.
Press Release
At the 2015 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Porsche is also introducing the new Cayenne Turbo S – the top model of the sporty SUV model series. Its re-engineered 4.8-liter V8 biturbo engine now develops 570 hp (419 kW) and 800 Nm (590 ft lb) of torque. A chassis that is tuned for maximum driving dynamics and packs a wide range of control systems also makes the Cayenne Turbo S a genuine top athlete. It can turn a lap of the North Loop of the Nürburgring in 7:59.74 minutes. The Cayenne sets a new record for SUVs here, and it also proves that every Porsche is a genuine sports car – even in this vehicle segment.
The more spontaneous response of the biturbo engine is primarily a benefit of the integral turbochargers, which are now housed directly in the exhaust manifolds. This new approach also improves combustion. The high-performance engine offers 20 hp more power and 50 Nm (36.8 ft lb) more torque than the previous engine. The Cayenne Turbo S accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 4.1 seconds – which is 0.4 seconds faster than the previous model (0 – 60 mph in 3.8 seconds). Its top speed is now 284 km/h (176 mph).
The Cayenne Turbo S also underscores its position as a top athlete in its chassis systems. Its standard Porsche Composite Ceramic Brakes (PCCB) include 420 mm front brake discs and, for the first time, ten-piston calipers. The rear brakes have 370 mm discs and four-piston calipers. The active roll stabilization system, Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) proactively reduces side tilt when driving through curves early on. Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus) increases dynamic handling and stability by making specific brake interventions at the right or left rear wheel – this noticeably improves steering into curves and steering precision. The active hang-on all-wheel drive system Porsche Traction Management (PTM) permanently drives the rear wheels while offering fully variable power distribution to the front wheels. Some advantages of the interplay between all systems: excellent driving dynamics and traction as well as a high level of agility at any speed.
Standard features of the Cayenne Turbo S reflect the top level of this model. They include 21-inch wheels in distinctive 911 Turbo design with black painted edges, LED headlights including Porsche Dynamic Light System Plus (PDLS Plus), full-leather interior with Porsche logo embossed on all head restraints as well as interior carbon accents. Interior styling in a black/creme color combination is making its debut in the Cayenne Turbo S. Creating exterior visual accents are the air inlet surround at the front of the vehicle that is painted in high-gloss black, the undersides of the door mirrors in the same color and the roof spoiler and wheel arch moldings in car color. A sport exhaust system is available as an option in combination with a switchable sound symposer, which optimally transmits the V8 sound experience into the interior.
The Porsche Cayenne Turbo S will be launched in Germany in the second quarter of 2015. The price is 166,696 Euro including value added tax and country-specific features.
