2009 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S, spicy but pricey !

Remember the stir the Cayenne caused when it was introduced in 2003? Many wondered why Porsche would bother hopping on the SUV bandwagon, given their reputation for sports cars. But business is business, with money trumping ideals more often than not, much to the dismay of purists. Nonetheless, the Cayenne helped Porsche double their sales in no time, helping the company sort out their finances. Speaking of which, Porsche has just increased its shares in Volkswagen AG to more than 50%. Not bad for a small manufacturer from Stuttgart.

From demure to daring

One notable thing about the Cayenne is the number of versions it comes in. Whether you’re doing well for yourself, rather wealthy or downright stinking rich, there’s a Cayenne for you.  First there’s the Cayenne V6. It’s aimed at those with a little less to spend, but who want to bask in the full prestige of the brand, even if this version doesn’t live up to the performances of the others. Under its hood is a 3.6-litre six-cylinder engine that will produce 290 hp. Though not exactly super powerful, it’s very reasonable on gas, and therefore will save you from filling up too often. Basically, the Cayenne V6 gives you a high-end name for less.

The Cayenne S flexes a 4.8-litre V8 that will produce 385 hp. Its slightly more exclusive sidekick, the Cayenne GTS, boasts the same V8, but which will produce 405 hp. Both are very appealing options.

If the cavalry described above doesn’t quite cover your needs, or if you prefer an even more exclusive model, there’s the Cayenne Turbo: a veritable bomb with its 500-hp twin-turbocharged V8. Logically, this should put the Cayenne Turbo at the top of the series. But since Porsche has gotten us used to non sequiturs by now, they introduced in 2009 the Cayenne Turbo S, which powers through expectations with 550 hp.

Take a quick look at the technical data for this model and you’ll realize that though it looks like an SUV, it’s actually a high-powered machine that can out-perform many reputable sport sedans. With 550 hp and 553 lb-ft at 2,250 rpm, the Cayenne Turbo S can go from 0-100 in just 4.8 seconds – and in the same amount of time, the sound it produces will give you goose bumps. And while the way it accelerates off the blocks is impressive, the power this vehicle’s twin-turbocharged engine delivers, even at higher speeds, is absolutely astonishing. It just never seems to get out of breath. Despite weighing in at more than 5,000 pounds, you get very little weight transfer on sportier drives thanks to its well-adapted sport suspension and large tires.

At the heart of this vehicle is an efficient, high-performance engine, of course, as well as an excellent braking system that can stop this beast as quickly as a traditional car. To pull that off, Porsche added new brakes with six-piston aluminum monobloc calipers up front. The result? Enhanced rigidity, less weight and a better braking surface. The Cayenne is meant to be driven like a sports car, not an SUV – something few SUVs can offer.

Another feature worth mentioning this year is the new PDCC system (Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control). This system uses a series of sensors and active anti-roll bars that can change tension levels thanks to a hydraulic pump in the centre. What this means in simple terms is that the system can maximize the vehicle’s handling to the thousandth of a second in all kinds of conditions.

Spicy but pricey

With Porsches, you won’t spend too much time talking about equipment, luxury or comfort. The technology included on board is there primarily to ensure the vehicle’s performance, even though the manufacturer has gotten with the times by adding a navigation system, sound system compatible with MP3s and satellite radio.
That said, the Cayenne Turbo S does have a few notable features, especially the suede pillars, ceiling and seats. The overall effect is incredibly chic, though not particularly practical for all seasons. Just one calcium stain is enough to bring tears to your eyes.

One thing’s for sure, at more than $150,000, the Cayenne Turbo S wasn’t made for all budgets. Not to mention the fact that for that price, you could buy a much more exotic vehicle, including the Audi R8. This made me wonder why I’d invest so much in an SUV instead of an exotic sports car. This question was answered last week, as I shovelled my way out of a few snow storms. What a joy it was not to have to leave the Porsche in the garage when heading out with the family. Enjoying winter with 550 horsepower at your disposal – that’s something else! With good winter tires and its effective 4WD, the Cayenne offers great performances all year long.