Porsche has plans for an ultimate petrol-powered version of the Cayenne SUV, which may indeed be the swansong for such a car (given Porsche's expanding electric line-up and the imminent arrival of an all-electric Macan). The German sports car maker says that its aim is to: "Underline its claim to best-in-class performance once again. The focus for this derivative has been on exceptional on-road performance without neglecting driving comfort and everyday usability."
4.0-litre twin-turbo V8
The new model, which doesn't have a name yet, is based on the current Cayenne Turbo and will use the (slightly) sleeker Cayenne Coupe bodywork. Rumour has it that the 4.0-litre twin-turbo engine will be cranked up to north of 630hp for this ultimate Cayenne.
Porsche says that the new model "has been designed and developed even more single-mindedly to provide the ultimate in terms of longitudinal and lateral dynamics." To do that, it's massively updated the car's suspension and electronic assistance systems, including the Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) active roll stabilisation system, which uses 48-volt electrically activated anti-roll bars to keep the car steady and level through corners. These roll bars can 'relax' when the car is travelling in a straight-line so as to offer better ride comfort.
Active anti-roll
"The PDCC always keeps the body balanced and level even during very spirited cornering," explains Porsche test driver Lars Kern, who has accompanied development of the high-performance model right from the start. According to Kern, the Cayenne's handling is also improved by its massively revamped front suspension: "Compared with the Cayenne Turbo Coupé, the front rims are now half an inch wider, and negative camber has been increased by 0.45 degrees in order to provide a larger contact area for the 22-inch sports tyres newly developed especially for this model."
When Rorhl speaks, we listen
Kern isn't the car's only test driver - Porsche ambassador, World Rally Champion, and all-round legend and Driving God™ Walter Rorhl has also been behind the wheel of the new mega-Cayenne on the famed Hockenheim race track. And what does he think? Well, Walter reckons that the new car is: "A great leap forward compared to everything that has gone before. This car redefines the meaning of the term SUV. The car remains incredibly stable even in fast corners, and its turn-in behaviour is extremely precise. More than ever, you have the feeling that you are sitting in a compact sports car rather than in a large SUV."
OK, so Rorhl is paid by Porsche to say nice things about Porsche, but when Der Meister speaks, you sit up and listen.