New Cayenne is "more of a Porsche than before"

UK's Autocar magazine has gained an exclusive taster of the Series 2 Porsche Cayenne -- having joined the development team for extreme testing in the dunes of the United Arab Emirates -- and the preliminary verdict is that it's a far more complete all-terrainer than its predecessor.

Although partially masked-up in the images that appear in the magazine, the overall shape of the updated SUV is clearly discernible, and although many of its design cues are evolutionary, the profile is far more streamlined than the existing model.

According to Autocar, the new vehicle is 45mm longer than its predecessor, but 40mm of the stretch has taken place within the wheelbase, which should theoretically boost rear legroom appreciably.

Despite its dimensional stretch, the new Cayenne is reportedly 200kg lighter than its forebear (model for model), thanks to the extensive use of aluminium in its bonnet, doors, axles and front bumper.

The new Cayenne S is said to weigh 2065kg, which means it undercuts the likes of the Mercedes ML500 (2100kg) and BMW X5 4.8i (2170kg), while the Range Rover Sport V8 tips the scales at a portly 2480kg.

Autocar reports the new model (which makes its public debut at next month's Geneva motor show) will be launched later this year in a choice of three variants -- the 221kW 3.6-litre Cayenne V6, the 294kW 4.8-litre Cayenne S and the 368kW Cayenne Turbo.

Later on the line-up will be supplemented by a V6 diesel and a hybrid version that mates a 245kW 3.0-litre supercharged V6 with a 34kW electric motor. Autocar says the old Cayenne's variable-height air suspension has been carried over, but that there is no longer a low-range transfer case.

The magazine quotes Porsche development boss Rolf Frech as saying the PDK twin-clutch gearbox used by the Panamera wasn't suited to the all-terrain requirements of the Cayenne: "The PDK couldn't cope with high-stress, low-speed manoeuvres like rock crawling without overheating."

Consequently, the standard transmission is an Aisin eight-speed auto (rather than the ZF tranny used by the likes of the new BMW 5 Series) and it's claimed to serve up "fast, smooth changes in any conditions".

Porsche claims the Cayenne Turbo will sprint to 100km/h in 4.6sec, which would put it on par with the current bad-boy among SUVs -- BMW's X6 M.

However, what the new Cayenne can ostensibly do that the X6 M can't is scale 'Big Red', a 90m sand dune that's a popular haunt of Dubai-dwelling off-roading/quad-biking enthusiasts.

The prototype that Autocar rode in successfully scaled the dune four times, but its rear diff overheated on the fifth attempt.

Nevertheless, Frech was happy with the vehicle's ability, telling Autocar: "These are extreme conditions, and eventually something had to give. I'm confident that few owners will subject their cars to such punishment."

"Overall, I'm very happy," said Frech. "This car is a big improvement from the last one. It's more finely honed -- more of a Porsche than before, I think."

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