Porsche tweaks Cayenne powerplants

PORSCHE has given the 2011 Cayenne a minor refresh, tweaking the diesel, hybrid and twin-turbo V8 engines in its SUV range – and the Stuttgart-based manufacturer has confirmed to GoAuto that the first updated models will arrive locally around August.

The most notable change is seen in the diesel variant, with Porsche trimming the fat and extracting more power from the 3.0-litre turbo V6 powerplant.

Modifications such as an improved turbocharger, a revamped direct injection system, reduced frictional resistance and a redesigned crankshaft increase the Cayenne diesel’s peak power output from 176kW to 180kW.

Porsche claims that these modifications also created a more responsive and free-revving unit, while the use of new materials has helped the V6 to shed 20 kilograms, bringing the hefty Cayenne’s unladen weight down to 2080kg.

As you would expect, this has led to slight improvements in both fuel consumption and acceleration figures for the German luxury SUV.

Left: The 2011 Porsche Cayenne. Below: Porsche Panamera with the optional 'Powerkit'.

The refreshed Cayenne diesel sips a claimed 7.2 litres per 100km, down from 7.4L/100km with the previous diesel, and can sprint from 0-100km/h in a claimed 7.6 seconds (down from 7.8 sec).

CO2 emissions are now 189 grams per kilometre, down from 195g/km.

Meanwhile, the Cayenne S Hybrid has also been given a few revisions, with modifications to the hybrid manager allowing the car to operate on pure electric power even from a cold start.

The German firm has also introduced several new options to the Cayenne Turbo, most notably the same ‘Powerkit’ unit first seen in the Panamera Turbo in August last year.

The kit increases the already-staggering peak power of the flagship 4.8-litre twin-turbo Cayenne from 368kW to around 400kW, while maximum torque is boosted from 700Nm to 750Nm.

The dash from 0-100km/h is over in a stomach-churning 4.6 seconds - down 0.1 seconds on the standard version – while claimed fuel consumption remains unchanged at a relatively frugal 11.5L/100km.

Porsche says the improvements are largely due to new titanium-aluminium turbine wheels on the twin turbochargers and tweaks to the car’s electronics.

The improvements to the Turbo’s performance have been matched by gains in stopping-power in the form of improved brake cooling measures, while the optional ceramic composite brakes (PCCB) grow to an enormous 420mm in diameter on the front wheels.

Styling and cosmetic changes do not extend beyond the options list for the 2011 Cayenne, which has grown to accommodate tinted LED rear lights and new leather and wood interior trim combinations, including the addition of “Yachting Mahogany”, alongside stainless steel and carbon door entry guards and aluminium inserts.

Finally, the Panamera GT is set to gain several new options including the Lane Change Assist system lifted straight from the Cayenne and wireless internet access in the cabin.