10
REVIEW
Porsche Cayenne S Diesel 2013 Review - International
'Performance diesel' acceleration a highpoint in Porsche's Cayenne SUVPorsche Cayenne S Diesel
Local Launch
Graz, Austria
Local Launch
Graz, Austria
What we liked
>> Decent economy
>> Surefooted handling
Not so much
>> Not really a five-seater>> Transmission not as snappy as a dual-clutch
>> Ride just a touch jittery
OVERVIEW
>>Porsche adds a performance diesel
We might be excited about the arrival of a new 911, but it’s fresh Cayenne model lines that make Porsche’s accountants happy.The once maligned SUV now commands more than 50 per cent of Porsche sales worldwide, so why not keep adding variations to the lineup?
That naturally leads us to the Cayenne S Diesel, which will arrive in Australia next April with an oil burning V8 engine under the bonnet and a bunch of luxury SUV rivals in its sights.
PRICE AND EQUIPMENT
>>Plenty of performance for plenty of dollars
The S Diesel is a pretty simple proposition to understand. It will arrive priced at $155,500 fitted – outside the engine bay anyway – with the same equipment as the Cayenne S petrol V8.The diesel’s price is $3600 higher, but at this stratospheric level of the car market that’s pretty much chicken feed and Porsche cars Australia does expect some sales substitution. Looking upwards in the Cayenne range from the S Diesel you’ll find the S Hybrid, which is $8900 more expensive.
At the heart of the S Diesel is a worked 281kW/850Nm version of a 4.2-litre V8 engine borrowed from fellow VW group member Audi. It mates solely with Porsche’s eight-speed Tiptronic S torque converter automatic transmission.
Standard equipment in the S Diesel will include dual climate control, cruise control, six-disc CD audio, daytime running lights and dusk sensing headlights, leather upholstery, front and rear parking guidance and a reversing camera, powered seats and tailgate, sat-nav, Xenon headlights and 19-inch alloy wheels.
As per usual with Porsche, the options list is long, varied and pretty exxy. New options will include active cruise control and the Sport Chrono performance package.
MECHANICAL
>> Porsche’s first performance diesel
Obviously, the biturbo V8 is at the heart of this new Cayenne Model. Porsche calls this its first performance diesel, alluding to the 3.0-litre V6 diesel on-sale since 2009. Indeed, it claims 60 per cent of Cayenne sales in Australia.But this is an entirely different position, thanks to its substantial power and gargantuan torque, which combine to deliver an impressive 5.7 sec 0-100km/h sprint and 8.3L/100km fuel consumption average. Auto start/stop aids the fuel consumption rate.
Perhaps just as importantly in this part of the market, Porsche claim a 3.5 tonne braked towing capacity. A theoretical fuel range beyond 1000km is handy too.
More turbo boost and better breathing helped kick the power and torque up 23kW and 50Nm respectively, compared to the donor engine, which can be found in both the A8 and Q7 SUV, while pistons and valves have been toughened to cope as well.
Porsche has also retuned the direct injection system so that diesel clatter has disappeared. It claims that helps the S Diesel sounds like a petrol V8. Other technical features include a 90 degree vee, grey cast-iron block, aluminium cylinder head, variable geometry turbochargers, double overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder. The engine drives all four wheels via a high-torque version of the Tiptronic S transmission taken from the Cayenne Turbo. It shifts in normal or more aggressive sport modes.
The active clutch-plate Porsche Traction Management (PTM) all-wheel drive system can shuttle drive 100 per cent forward or aft depending on the conditions. Fundamentally though, the Cayenne is rear-wheel biased.
While the second generation Cayenne eschews low range there is an off-road mode, which offers increasing capability on the rough stuff through three modes, culminating in fully locking the rear differential.
The S Diesel rides on PASM air suspension, which has been recalibrated to cope with the heavier weight the engine loads up over the front axle. It can be set in three modes by the driver; comfort, normal or sport.
PACKAGING
>> Comfortable quality
The Cayenne S Diesel accommodates up to five passengers in a five-door body that measures 4846mm long, 1939mm wide and 1705mm high.In reality it is a four-seater as the middle rear pew is very much the hard, narrow short straw. By contrast, the outboard passengers do extremely well for space, stowage and seat support.
It’s the same story up-front where there is no shortage of storage or comfort. The glovebox is decent, the door pockets are large and there are dual cupholders on the centre console, as well as a small lidded bin.
Luggage compartment capacity starts at 670 litres and grows to 1780 litres with the bench seat folded down.
Even in the carpeted boot, interior presentation is premium. The quality of the fit and finish is high, while stitched leather and other materials around the dash, doors and centre console are appropriate for the price range.
The driver faces an intimidating row of five instrument dials – as is the Porsche way – with the tacho sitting large and foremost in the centre. A small digital speedo is handily placed in its base. There’s a profusion of buttons and controls cascading down through the centre stack into the centre console, which like the recently launched Boxster and 911, draws its inspiration from the Panamera. Take your time and study it all, there’s a fair bit to take in.
Once seated though, the driver will find a commanding view, a deep and supportive seat, a well shaped and sized reach and rake adjustable steering wheel and decent space and support for the feet.
SAFETY
>> Bases covered
The full list of airbags and acronyms are part of the Cayenne’s safety armoury. All passengers get lap sash safety belts and adjustable headrests. There are no NCAP results for the Cayenne.COMPETITORS
>> The battle of Germany
There are plenty of potential opponents for the Cayenne S Diesel, starting right at home in Germany, where Audi (obviously), BMW (X5 and X6 M50d) and Benz (GL450) offer appropriate competition. Further afield there’s the Range Rover Sport, although that vehicle is soon to be superseded. Just maybe the base model TDV6 version of the new fourth Range Rover qualifies as a rival, although it is more than $13,000 more expensive.ON THE ROAD
>> Big wheels rolling!
Mega. That’s the best way to describe the performance of the Cayenne S Diesel.It gathers pace with the unstoppable constancy of a boulder running away down a hill. It takes a few moment to gather pace but once on the go it’s got real force.
And when accelerating it really does sound like a petrol V8, albeit a pretty quiet one. The engine is completely civil too, there’s no hitching, stuttering or hesitating. All that torque seems to overwhelm any suggestion of turbo lag.
Even with plenty of hard throttle use on a long and quite varied drive route in the mountain ranges and valleys of southern Austria, the Diesel S still clocked a very decent 11.7L/100km.
The auto slurs between gears, certainly without the raw speed of a dual clutch box. But then again, with 850 Newton-metres pulling you along, there’s no need for too much gear changing. It would be great for an epic cross country trip. But don’t worry; it will work really well in the leafier suburbs of our major cities too.
That engine is really well supported by a dynamic package we already know is very talented. It’s easy to say it’s great for an SUV, but you can go one step further and just say the S Diesel is a great drive.
On some winding, undulating mountain roads, it was poised, resisted roll, steered with accuracy and aplomb and braked with subtle strength that speaks volumes for Porsche’s brake tuning ability.
The ride, on winter tyres, was just a touch nobbly. But we’ll wait until the S Diesel arrives in Australia on our roads to see whether there is any harshness in the air suspension system.
We doubt it will stop too many buyers even if there is. Porsche says it’s not really sure how many S Diesels it will sell. We reckon it will struggle to keep up with demand.
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Written byBruce Newton
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