Beijing show: Turbo S is most powerful Porsche

RIGHT out of left field from Porsche at the weekend’s Auto China 2008 motor show in Beijing came the world premiere of the Cayenne Turbo S.

Hot on the heels of the Cayenne S-based GTS and due on sale here later this year at a price of $265,500 (representing a massive $50,300 price premium over the $215,500 Cayenne Turbo), the S version of Porsche’s top-shelf super-SUV packs a host of performance enhancements.

Top of the list is an extra 36kW of power and 50Nm of torque, making the 404kW/750Nm Turbo S not only the most powerful Cayenne, but the most powerful Porsche currently available.

Thanks to a new exhaust and engine management software, it eclipses both the 368kW/700Nm Cayenne Turbo and the 390kW/680Nm 911 GT2, which was launched recently at a price of $425,700.



Despite the outputs and the fact it produces peak torque between 2250 and 4500rpm, the 2355kg Turbo S still takes an extra second to sprint to Australia’s national highway speed limit, but with a claimed 0-100km/h sprint time of just 4.8 seconds (three-tenths quicker than the Cayenne Turbo), the S is certainly no slouch.

It also has a claimed top speed of 280km/h – 5km/h more than the Turbo – and yet according to New European Operating Cycle (NEFZ) figures it returns the same 14.9L/100km average fuel consumption and CO2 emissions of 358g/100km.

At the heart of the Turbo S lies the same Euro 4 emissions-compliant 4.8-litre direct-injection twin-turbo V8 that powers the Cayenne Turbo, mated to a five-speed Tiptronic S automatic transmission as standard. Like all Cayennes, it comes with permanent all-wheel drive, a low-range transfer case and Porsche Traction Management.

Porsche says the Turbo is a response to demand from Porsche SUV customers, especially in developing markets in Asia and Eastern Europe, who want even more Cayenne performance.

As such, the self-levelling air suspension is tuned for even better on-road dynamics and continues to be accompanied by Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) and Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC). Servotronic speed-sensitive variable power steering is also standard, while six-piston aluminium monobloc front brake callipers grip 380mm discs alongside four piston rear callipers with 358mm discs.

Visually differentiating the S from its Turbo sibling are 21-inch SportPlus alloy wheels, four cast-aluminium exhaust outlets and an exclusive new paint colour - Lava Grey metallic.

First the first time outside Porsche’s two-door sports car line-up, Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB) will be an option on the Cayenne Turbo S, featuring massive 410mm ceramic discs up front and 370mm discs at rear. PCCB will also become an option across the Cayenne range, provided 20-inch wheels or larger are fitted.

Inside, the Turbo S features standard front sports seats with Comfort Memory Package, rear seating with individual seat contours, unique aluminium door panels, two exclusive dual-colour leather trim combinations (Black/Havana and Black/Steel Grey), and a leather steering wheel with padded center.

The latest-generation Porsche Communication Multimedia System Management (PCM) now accesses a range of navigation and information functions via a touch-screen, while a standard 14-speaker, 410-Watt Bose surround sound system is now capable of reproducing music from audio and video DVDs in 5.1 Discrete Surround Format.

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