Porsche Cayenne Turbo S 2006 Review - International

WHAT WE LIKED
Power and performance
Comfort and space
Better in the metal

NOT SO MUCH
Too big and too heavy
Only a five-seater
Price to match performance

When the Cayenne was launched in 2002 it was like, if you believe Porsche purists, the Pope telling his followers he was converting to Islam. Still trying to forgive the sportscar specialist for a range of anaemic front-engine coupes, the idea of an oversized, jacked-up five-seater being sold alongside the rear-engined 911 was akin to sacrilege in the eyes of Porsche's most ardent fans.

But in reality Porsche's entry into one of the fastest growing market segments in world automobile history was more a survival strategy than a sin; a controversial move, but one that would enable the Stuttgart company to boost sales and profits, help retain its independence, and continue to build the iconic sportscars for which it was famous.

And Porsche being Porsche, the Cayenne was never going to be just another generic family freighter. While not making any quantum leaps in design or engineering, the overall package was impressive and with a range-topping twin-turbo version helped establish a new benchmark in 'performance SUVs'.

Despite mixed reviews -- it's been described as everything from an 'engineering marvel' to a 'shameless grab for cash' -- the Cayenne has been an undisputed sales success, boosting Porsche's worldwide sales by more than 30 per cent and giving it a vital foothold in new markets. And with the new four-door Panamera coupe set for release in 2009 (bound to get tongues wagging again), Porsche's future as a performance vehicle maker remains rosy.

While there had been earlier examples of tarmac pounding off-roaders -- Lamborghini's cumbersome V12 LM002 comes to mind, as does the first V8 Range Rovers and more recent Ford Lightning and Dodge Ram utes  -- it wasn't until Porsche's superwagon arrived that the competition really started to heat up.

Now hot on the Cayenne's tailpipes is the upcoming ML 63 AMG said to be capable of a 5.0secs 0-100km/h, while Chrysler's SRT-8 Grand Cherokee will also be vying for 'world's fastest SUV' honours. Even grand British dame, Bentley, is said to be considering a bahnstorming W12-engined wagon.

In response, Porsche has fired back with the even more potent Cayenne Turbo S. If the idea of a family-sized AWD wagon that will blast down a freeway almost as fast as a V8 Supercar down Bathurst's Conrod Straight, excites you, then this latest twin-turbo terror will have you wetting your pants.

Externally it differs little from the rest of the range even with new 20-inch alloy wheels, four exhaust tailpipes, a 'Turbo S' rear badge and optional Marine Blue Metallic paint to set it apart. That's good news, if you like the Cayenne's distinctive but slightly odd looks, with its 911-style headlights planted on top of gulping air intakes, and uninspiring rear end.

Like many vehicles, the Cayenne looks better in the metal and for our money, the darker colours are most flattering, contrasting nicely with the shiny chrome-like trim including the roof racks.

There's little change inside either which means a functional, 911-style layout up front, with supportive leather seats, reasonable room for rear passengers and luggage, and a full complement of electronic gizmos like sat nav and Bose stereo. A rear view camera for reversing and a bigger sunroof are also available on the Turbo S.

But it's the output from the tweaked twin-turbo 4.5-litre V8 that's most impressive: 383kW at 5500rpm and 720Nm from 2750rpm (52kW and 100Nm more than the Cayenne Turbo). To extract the extra grunt Porsche revised the engine control system's throttle map, installed larger intercoolers and increased turbo boost pressure by 0.2bar to a maximum of 1.9.

The Turbo S also gets bigger stoppers: 380mm discs up front with six-piston calipers, and 358mm rear discs with four-pistons.

The end result is the second most powerful production Porsche ever -- pipped only by the 450kW Carrera GT. But with a porky 2355kg and a windblocking 0.39Cd, it probably needs every last kilowatt and Newton metre to achieve its claimed 911-like 5.2secs for the 100km/h dash (0.4secs faster than the Turbo).

Yet stomp on the go-pedal and it feels like you're in a vehicle half the weight and size. It simply snarls, hooks up, and goes… And keeps going.

Zero to 160km/h takes less than 12secs and it's so quiet and stable at high speeds that without glancing down at the speedo, you'd think you're cruising along in downtown Toorak at a leisurely 100km/h slower.

The super-smooth six-speed automatic transmission goes about its business with little fuss, so there's no inclination to fiddle with the manual shift buttons on the steering wheel as we surge along the long freeways of Dubai, the location of our first drive.

The Middle East's playground for the rich was an appropriate place for Porsche to launch the Turbo S. For a start, it was right at home -- with 95 per cent of all Porsches sold in oil-rich Dubai being Cayennes.

Dubai's billiard-smooth, never-ending highways were also perfect for stretching the Turbo S' very long legs. The 120km/h posted speed limits on the freeways are only loosely adhered to, so with the palm trees along the highway turning into a blur and sixth gear casually clicking over at 210km/h the thought of hitting a stray camel was our only concern. Later, we learned that another Turbo S on the launch had topped out at an amazing 281km/h!

The smooth roads also helped shield the Cayenne's occupants from the sportscar like air-sprung ride, which remains on the firm side despite the availability of three damper settings.

Dubai also has a sprawling national park with kilometres of fluffy, rolling sand dunes, perfect for demonstrating the Cayenne's impressive off-road abilities, but more about that later.

Just as intoxicating as straightline speed was rolling acceleration, particularly in higher gears: 80-120km/h takes a swift 5.4secs in fifth gear. The bigger brakes require a firm shove but are reassuringly effective in bringing the big wagon down to civilised speeds.

The Turbo S corners confidently and grips hard, aided by 275/40 R20 rubber at each corner, as well as an upgraded version of Porsche's Active Suspension Management system with stiffer settings to minimise pitch and roll, and more responsive steering. Perched up high, though, you're always aware of the high centre of gravity and massive bulk when pressing hard.

Later, with the Cayenne jacked up on its highest suspension setting, tyre pressure control switched off and rubber deflated to 10psi we ventured into the dunes for our Arabian adventure.

With a local guide alongside calling the shots, the big Porsche had few problems powering through the powder soft dunes. The trick was to keep the momentum and revs up, to prevent getting bogged, gunning it hard to get the twin turbos on song at the bottom and with the wheels spinning wildly amidst a wave of billowing sand, launching to the crest.

Returning via flatter, firmer sand tracks, the combination of a sophisticated 4WD system with 40/60 front/rear torque split and traction control, keep the Porsche tracking confidently at speeds over 100km/h.
The system still allows some old-school powersliding out of corners. Great fun.

At one stage we misjudged a turn, nudged a bank and got the rear airborne. Just a hiccup for the Cayenne, although I did notice our instructor sweating slightly, and not just because of the 39 degree heat…

All Porsches are exclusive to some extent, some more than others, and the Turbo S, like the Carrera GT, will be built in limited numbers. The first 20 allocated for Australia are set to arrive here mid-year and all have been snapped up for a cool $241,000 ($33,000 more than the Turbo).

They'll join the 400 or so Cayennes sold in Australia since May 2003.

In places like America and Dubai, where wealth, power and size are flaunted, the Turbo S will no doubt be a big hit. But in Australia with its crowded cities and heavily policed roads it makes less sense. Its quarter million pricetag makes it unlikely a Turbo S will ever be seen venturing deep into the bush.

The Porsche's propensity to slurp fuel at an alarming rate also makes it a dinosaur in our resource-depleted world.

But like Dubai's desert-defying indoor ski slopes and the world's first seven-star hotel, it's pointless to question the need for a supercar-beating 4WD. The fact that Porsche can do it, and do it well, will be enough for its well-heeled customers to queue up for the king of SUVs…

What's next? A Porsche-badged peoplemover...