Porsche Cayenne GTS arrives in Q3 this year

COMPLETING the recently revised Porsche Cayenne range is a pair of GTS performance models in SUV wagon (SUV) and sleek Coupe SUV (Coupe) format. They are priced from $209,600 and $212,600 excluding on-road costs respectively and will be available in Q3 with orders accepted from now.

Both run a potent 368kW twin-turbo V8 petrol engine coupled with a suitably performance-oriented chassis. Porches says each variant offers owners a level of everyday practicality with distinctive design elements and enhanced standard equipment. In Porsche-speak, GTS means Gran Turismo Sport that equates to an extra dose of dynamism and long-distance capability in practice.

Sporty kudos accompanies the entire Cayenne model range on tar and in the dirt but the GTS ratchets that up with the balance shifted to favour improved on-road capability. Focal points on the GTS are the powerful drive system, precise tuning to engine and chassis and an “exclusive” design. It is a long-used formula Porsche has adopted for the Cayenne GTS through previous iterations.

Delving deeper into specifics, the GTS chassis features a 10mm lower ride height for a more menacing stance facilitated by adaptive air suspension as standard that includes Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) and Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus).

Taking chassis engineering to the next level, all chassis components and control systems, such as Porsche Traction Management (PTM) and the optional Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC), are specifically designed for optimal on-road performance.

Two-valve damper technology is said to offer impressive responses backed by two-chamber air suspension that bestows the model with a dynamic spring rate while simultaneously ensuring driver and passenger comfort.

Some GTS underpinnings emanate from the Cayenne Turbo GT including the front axle pivot bearings that increase the negative camber of the wheels by 0.58 degrees in comparison to other Cayenne models. This results in more agile cornering, quicker steering response and enhanced handling dynamics.

Complementing the hyped-up chassis is a potent V8 petrol engine that is another important feature of the GTS. The Porsche-developed 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, manufactured in Zuffenhausen, Germany is substantially revised resulting in efficiency gains and a significant increase in performance with the latest version good for 368kW – an increase of 30kW over the previous GTS. On top of this is a robust 660Nm of torque representing an increase of 40Nm.

Not stopping there, Porsche engineers revised the model’s eight-speed Tiptronic S transmission for shorter response and shift times in Sport and Sport Plus modes. All told, these changes give the four-door sports SUV a 0-100km/h sprint capability of 4.4 seconds coupled with a top speed for the track of 275km/h.

Adding an extra measure of reliability is a technical innovation to the transfer box for the all-wheel drive Porsche Traction Management (PTM) that features an independent water-cooling circuit… also adopted from the high-performance Turbo GT model. Its purpose is to stabilise the continuous load capacity – for example when tackling track driving or navigating mountain routes.

On the outside, the GTS is defined by black ‘GTS’ lettering on the sides and rear, a special front end with bigger cooling air intakes, dark-tinted headlights and taillights, and red brake calipers. It is “classic” Cayenne GTS design DNA that gives the model an instantly recognisable Porsche look.

Differing this time around are body attachments such as the side skirts, front inlays, side window trims and wheel arch extensions, which all form part of the standard Sport Design package, that are now painted in high-gloss black. But the previously black finished quad exhaust tips are now in dark bronze tone.

Adding a touch of visual drama are 21-inch RS Spyder-design wheels finished in anthracite grey.

Inside the Cayenne GTS features a heated GT sports steering wheel as standard with high-quality Race-Tex material found throughout the vehicle, the suede-like fabric covering the roof lining, armrests, and door panels as well as the centre panels of the eight-way-adjustable sports seats.

Flowing from the recent Cayenne model upgrade is the new “Porsche Driver Experience” with a curved digital instrument cluster as standard and an optional passenger display. The model runs dark-tinted HD matrix LED headlights a Bose surround sound system and ambient lighting. Also standard is a fixed panoramic glass roof as well as an adaptive extending rear spoiler.

Options include a desirable sports exhaust system with centrally positioned tailpipes in dark bronze. It is part of the three different lightweight optional sports packages that include a lightweight roof and a carbon rear diffuser, as well as reduced insulation. These packages can reduce weight by up to 25kg.

Both Aussie spec’ Cayenne GTS models are fitted as standard with the following: 20-inch collapsible spare wheel, metallic paint, Porsche entry, privacy glass, lane change assist, surround view with active parking support, head-up display, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, driver memory package, seat ventilation front, side airbags in the rear compartment, soft close doors, 14-way comfort seats in the front with memory package, digital radio; and on the Cayenne GTS SUV panoramic roof system, power steering plus.