FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW: Porsche renews Cayenne

Porsche has revealed its redesigned, third-generation Cayenne overnight in Germany, where it’s now available to order ahead of its world public debut at the Frankfurt motor show in two weeks and its Australian release early next year.

Presented so far only in entry-level Cayenne and Cayenne S forms, local pricing and specifications for which are yet to be announced, the big new luxury SUV is based on the same MLB platform as Audi’s latest Q7.

Combined with an all-aluminium body shell, which doesn’t look considerably different but also brings a significant weight reduction, the base Cayenne’s kerb weight drops by 55kg, from 2040 to 1985kg. Porsche says that despite vastly more standard equipment, model weights drop by as much as 65kg and the new Cayenne “remains perfectly suited to off-road use”.

Apart from new chassis and connectivity systems, which Porsche says makes the new Cayenne sportier and more comfortable at the same time, there are more powerful new V6 engines – including a downsized twin-turbo V6 for the Cayenne S.

The base Cayenne’s 3.0-litre V6 delivers 250kW/450Nm (up 29kW), while the 2.9-litre biturbo V6 in the Cayenne S develops 324kW/550Nm (up 15kW) and pushes it to 100km/h in a claimed 5.2 seconds (4.9sec with the optional Sport Chrono Package) and a 265km/h top speed.

The cheapest Cayenne will hit 100km/h in 6.2 seconds (5.9sec with Sport Chrono Package) on its way to 245km/h and fuel consumption remains the same for the base model (9.2L/100km), while the Cayenne S now drinks 9.4L/100km – down 0.1L/100km. CO2 emissions are a respective 209g/km and 213g/km.

Both new petrol V6s are matched to a new eight-speed Tiptronic S automatic transmission as standard, as well as active all-wheel drive.

Claimed to improve on-road dynamics, new Cayenne technologies include mixed tyre/wheel sizes, rear-axle steering, Porsche 4D Chassis Control, three-chamber air suspension and the Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) electronic roll stabilisation system.

The MkIII Cayenne is 63mm longer overall at 4918mm, but about the same width (1983mm) and height, and rides on an identical (2895mm) wheelbase. Yet its cargo capacity rises by 100 litres to 770 litres.

Wheel diameters increase by one inch and the rear tyres are wider than the fronts for the first time. This and a three-dimensional Porsche logo spanning the redesigned tail-lights in a narrow strip of LEDs is claimed to add visual aggression.

New standard features include LED headlights, but these can be swapped for the optional Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS) and even PDLS Plus with 84 LEDs, automatic high-beam and adaptive sign glare control.

Also new is a five-mode drive control system that defaults to Onroad and also includes four off-road modes -- Mud, Gravel, Sand and Rocks – that alter the car’s engine, transmission, differential lock, suspension and fully variable Porsche Traction Management (PTM) all-wheel drive system.

Standard wheel sizes are 19-inch and options range up to 21-inch, riding on an all-new chassis with redesigned multi-link front and rear suspension, new three-chamber air springs, Porsche 4D Chassis Control system and carryover Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) active damping control.

Borrowed from the 911 and Panamera, electric rear-axle steering is fitted to the Cayenne for the first time, reducing its turning circle and, claims Porsche, improving agility in corners and high-speed straight-line stability.

Once again Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) roll stabilization is optional, but this time it’s electric -- not hydraulic – thanks to the new model’s 48-volt electrical system, reducing response times and broadening the range between dynamic and comfort settings.

Making its world debut in the new Cayenne is Porsche Surface Coated Brake (PSCB), a high-performance braking option that comprises cast-iron brake discs with a tungsten-carbide coating to increase friction and reduce wear and brake dust.

Visually differentiated by white-painted brake callipers and a rotor surface that develops a unique gloss after bedding in, PSCB is only available with 20- or 21-inch wheels and PCCB ceramic brakes remain the top-shelf brake system option.

There’s a revised Sport Chrono Package that’s now controlled via a steering wheel button just like the 911, Cayman and Boxster sports cars. In addition to Normal, Sport and Sport Plus driving modes, there’s an individually configurable mode, a central Sport Response button that delivers maximum drivetrain performance and separate PSM Sport mode that delivers maximum chassis performance.

Like the 911 and Panamera, the new Cayenne’s body panels are all-aluminium, its body-in-white employs a mix of steel and alloy, and the latter is used for its floorpan assembly, front section and almost all chassis components. Another key light-weighting move is the lithium-ion polymer starter battery, which alone cuts 10kg.

The 2018 Cayenne’s overall weight reduction comes despite the car’s extra length, bigger wheels and extra standard equipment, including front/rear ParkAssist, an LTE telephone module including a WiFi hotspot, Porsche Connect services, anticipatory pedestrian protection system and the option of new Bose and Burmester sound systems.

A host of advanced driver safety aids is headlined by the new Night Vision Assist, which employs a thermal imaging camera, and also includes Lane Change Assist, Lane Keeping Assist including traffic sign recognition, traffic jam assist, ParkAssist including Surround View and Porsche InnoDrive including adaptive cruise control.

There’s a new driver instrument display features a large central tacho flanked by two 7.0-inch full-HD displays, which are customisable via the multi-function steering wheel and reveal key driving data such as the speedo, trip computer, audio info and navigation.

This is housed with an all-new interior featuring Porsche Advanced Cockpit, which based around the same 12.3-inch full-HD touch-screen from the latest Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system first seen in the new Panamera.

Customisable via six individual profiles, PCM can be controlled by voice or analogue controls on the new driver-focusses centre console, while other buttons are integrated into the smartphone-like, glass-look touch surface, and give acoustic and haptic feedback when operated.

The new PCM system is augmented by the standard Porsche Connect Plus (PCP), which provides access to the internet and online services including navigation with real-time traffic info.

Thanks to an integrated LTE-enabled SIM card and a range of expanded Connect Plus services, owners of the new Cayenne will be able to program the engine-independent climate-control system remotely via smartphone.

Then there’s the Offroad Precision App – developed specifically for the new Cayenne and available as part of the standard package – that can document off-road treks in detail via video.