The Cayenne was a necessary car for Porsche as it was the brand’s first attempt at an Off-road SUV. Besides, the Cayenne was Porsche’s first production model to feature four doors. The SUV was launched to the masses back in 2003, and it received critical acclaim. The SUV shared many components with the Volkswagen group, like the power train and even the SUV platform. These facts, however, did not affect this luxurious machine’s attempts to create an identity of its own in the years to follow.
The Cayenne impressed with its performance and was an excellent handler from the get-go. As time progressed, the Porsche experience and expertise only grew stronger. The advancement in technology and driving dynamics made the Cayenne a serious player in this segment, and it has unsurprisingly managed to keep itself in the top-tier of luxury SUVs in the modern era as well.
The Porsche Cayenne, with time, has managed to establish itself flawlessly in the mid-size luxury SUV segment. The SUV is a perfect blend of comfort, technology, and outright sportiness. Here’s how the Cayenne has evolved through the ages.
Porsche Cayenne First Generation (2003-10)
Introduced to the public in 2003, the Cayenne set sail as being the first Porsche to bear the name of an off-roader and also the first one to have four doors. This five-seater SUV did share its platform with the Volkswagen Touareg but had enough in its arsenal to create an identity of its own. The front end of this machine was unmistakably Porsche-like, and the driving dynamics of the Cayenne proved to be impressive, to say the least. The Cayenne had a variety of engine options to choose from. The S variant of the Cayenne came with a 4.5-liter V8 churning out 350hp, and if that wasn’t enough oomph, the Turbo variant belted out an impressive 450 hp with 457 lb-ft of torque, earning the tag of the ‘most powerful’ SUV of its time. Both variants housed a six-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission, and the four-wheel-drive on this machine added to its performance.
The off-road tag on this SUV was well deserved, as the various features and equipment on-board made the challenging outdoors a bit less intimidating. The ride height on this machine was adjustable, and with 4.5 inches worth of adjustability provided by the air-spring suspension, the SUV was a well-accomplished all-rounder. The year 2005 also added to the variety quotient of the Cayenne, and a base variant with a 3.2-liter narrow-angle V6 was launched to the public. The power figures of the car were respectable at 247 hp, and the option of a manual transmission made things exciting for a stick-shift enthusiast. Fast forward three years and the Cayenne upgrades were more than just cosmetic and proved to be quite significant.
The year 2008 was a big one for Cayenne. The SUV sported a brand new exterior design, and the performance factor on this machine grew immensely. The thumping great V8 had a capacity of 4.8 liters, with the S variant churning out 385 hp and the turbo version producing an even punchier 500 hp. The V6 was also re-engineered to a capacity of 3.6 liters, with an increased power output of 44 hp. A new GTS version of the Cayenne was also in the mix. The 4.8-liter V8 was capable of a maximum power output of 405 hp, and all this grunt was managed by a manual transmission. The performance factor on the Cayenne was on a gradual ascend, and the year 2009 saw the introduction of a 550 hp Turbo S variant of the luxury SUV.
Porsche Cayenne Second Generation (2011-17)
With the second generation of the Cayenne came a hybrid variant, namely the Cayenne S Hybrid. The SUV housed a 3-liter supercharged V6 unit sourced from Audi. With the inclusion of an electric motor, the combined power output stood at a respectable 380 hp. This version aided in enhanced fuel efficiency and was a strong move on the part of the luxury brand regarding overall efficiency. The V6 version of the Cayenne delivered a higher power output of 300 hp, while the figures on the S and Turbo variants stood at 400 hp and 500 hp, respectively. The GTS and Turbo S variants of the Cayenne were dropped. However, the power trains made a comeback in the following years with revised power and torque figures.
2013 saw the resurgence of the GTS variant of the Cayenne. The updated variant now produced a colossal 420 hp. The less shouty V6 turbo diesel of the Cayenne was also an option, and the 3-liter engine was capable of a maximum power output of 240 hp. The monstrous turbo S was also in the picture in the year 2014, with an impressive 550hp of maximum power and a jaw-dropping 0 to 60 mph run time of just 4.3 seconds. The brand’s significant change in 2015 was the stoppage of production of the V6, Turbo S, and the GTS models of the Cayenne. The Cayenne S housed a smaller 3.6-liter V6 and could churn out 420 hp worth of power. The hybrid version of this machine also made an appearance, with its power figure standing at 416 hp. The Turbo V8 variant of the Cayenne did not fail to impress, with a humongous 520 hp.
A special platinum edition package was also launched in 2017 for Cayenne’s V6 and hybrid models. The GTS and Turbo S variants of the SUV also made their presence felt, with impressive power outputs of 440 hp and 570 hp, respectively. The whole range of the SUV was now available with the option of an automatic transmission, which made the driving experience even more engaging and hassle-free.
Porsche Cayenne Third Generation (2019-present)
The changes in the 2019 model of the Cayenne didn’t seem apparent at first, as the exterior design remained pretty much the same as the previous iteration with the only noticeable updates coming in the form of an updated grille, the LED lighting set-up at the front, and an LED bar strip running across the width of the car accompanied by the addition of a quad exhaust system. The changes, however, were more significant skin-deep, as the Cayenne came with a host of powertrain options. The platform on which the new Cayenne sat was the same MLB platform used in the Lamborghini Urus and Audi Q7. The Cayenne also came with a redesigned dashboard, featuring an incredible 12.3-inch infotainment system, a revised center console, and a multi-function three-spoke steering. The safety factor was high in the car, too, with the likes of Porsche’s in-house stability and traction management system. Rear-wheel steering proved to be useful, and the inclusion of an anti-slip function and an automatic brake differential only made the handling easier.
The third generation of the Cayenne took performance to a whole new level. With a variety of engine options and the provision of a hybrid variant, this machine ticked all the right boxes with regard to power and efficiency. The engine portfolio ranged from a base 3-liter V6 diesel with a power output of 335 hp all to the way to the top-of-the-line 541hp 4-liter V8 version. In addition, the option of a 4-door Cayenne coupe with a faster roofline added to the excitement. In the new Turbo S E-Hybrid variant, the engine and an electric motor worked in sync to belt out a staggering 670 hp. The engineering behind this incredible feat was marvelous, and the inclusion of a hybrid system did its part for improving fuel efficiency. The 2021 version started at a price tag of $69,000. The price varied depending on the version, with a host of trims and power-train options on offer. The price was every bit justified, as the Cayenne encompassed all the factors required for seamless driving. A quick cruise along the smooth highways or a rough and uncertain off-road journey through the mountains, the Cayenne, with its diverse personality, was perfectly capable for them all.
The Cayenne helped give Porsche a strong stand in the automobile sector that it has today. Over the years, the Cayenne has become one of the most well-engineered and sought-after machines in the market. It possesses the traits necessary to cater to the world of luxury with its impressive feature list, and it also has the tools to take on rough terrains. It has certainly lived up to its name tag of being the ultimate luxury off-roader.
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