Porsche Cayenne Turbo 2006 Review

The revised Cayenne, Cayenne S and Cayenne Turbo models get more powerful, direct gasoline injection engines. Porsche calls the motors direct fuel injection (DFI), and says they lower the fuel consumption of individual models by more than eight percent. It says that in real driving conditions, savings of up to 15 percent are possible.

The basic V6 Cayenne gets a 29kW power enhancement, lifting output to 213kW. The V6’s displacement has been increased from 3.2 to 3.6 litres. Torque rises from 310 to 385Nm, a useful increase for a model which sometimes struggled a little on steeper hills.

Porsche says the V6 Cayenne can accelerate to 100km/h in 8.1 seconds, and reach a top speed of 227km/h. The previous model managed 9.1 seconds and 214km/h.

Direct gasoline injection and the introduction of VarioCam Plus valve control lift output in the V8-powered the Cayenne S.

The V8 capacity rises to 4.8 litres, and it now develops peak torque of 500Nm (previously it was 420Nm). Maximum power increases 33kW, to 283kW.

Porsche says the extra power and torque cut two-tenths of a second from the 0-100km/h time – it’s now 6.6 seconds – and lift top speed by 10km/h, to 252km/h.

The range-topping Cayenne Turbo, already ultra-potent, also gets more grunt. The twin-turbo V8 develops 37kW more than that of its predecessor, and now produces 368kW.

Peak torque rises 80Nm to a stupendous 700Nm. Those enhancements cut half a second off the 0-100km/h sprint – it now takes 5.1 seconds, and lifts top speed by 9km/h, to 275km/h.
Porsche traction management (PTM), in standard operating mode, distributes engine power between the rear and front wheels in a ratio of 62:38. The multi-disc clutch can direct up to 100 percent of drive to the front or rear as required.

The Cayenne Turbo is fitted with Porsche active suspension management (PASM) with air suspension as standard. This variant can now be augmented with the new Porsche dynamic chassis control (PDCC) roll-stabiliser system.

This constant roll control, also available for the Cayenne and Cayenne S, limits vehicle roll in corners and counterbalances the car completely in almost all driving situations. Porsche says the new Cayenne offers significant improvements in terms of handling, directional stability and ride comfort. When off-road, the system enables maximum axle articulation and improves traction.

Porsche stability management (PSM), with its brake-assist function, advanced trailer stabilisation system and off-road ABS, comes as standard on all Cayenne models. These functions improve the brakes’ reaction speed, markedly reduces the yawing which can affect vehicles when towing, and optimises braking performance on loose surfaces.

With static and, for the first time, dynamic bend lighting, the bi-xenon headlights fitted as standard to the Cayenne Turbo increase active safety. The system, which can also be ordered for the Cayenne and Cayenne S, is activated as soon a speed of 3km/h has been reached.