2005 Porsche Cayenne Review

Specifications

New Options Are Especially Expensive for Canadians

So far 2004 has been a banner year for Porsche, in sales, profits and new product releases. The independent German automaker is praised the world over for building the most reliable yet exciting sports cars available, has redesigned both the venerable 911 and the upstart Boxster two-seat roadster for the 2005 model year.

Both cars have been reworked to incorporate performance enhancing technologies, higher-grade materials to raise interior fit and finish, comfort and reliability, while their styling has been updated in order to strengthen their identities, or more precisely their inherent Porsche DNA.

But among the upgrades, Zuffenhausen hasnt completely forgotten about its breadwinning sport utility vehicle either. The VW Touareg-based SUV will be improved to ward off potential threats from a new generation of BMW, Cadillac, Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen and Audi (the Q7 will share architectures with the Porsche and VW SUV), Porsche will up power, luxury and convenience.

One of the new options that highlight the 2005 model year change is a variable panoramic glass roof. Earlier this year sightings of a Cayenne with unusual roof panels lapping the Nurburgring circuit were reported by spy photographers, and now the new feature is official. Although its not an actual Targa-roof as some originally predicted, the large-format sliding roof serves a similar purpose, to provide an airy, open-like driving experience without chopping off the top - not ideal for structural rigidity. Remarkably, the new roof is almost four times larger than the Cayennes conventional sunroof, encompassing a total area of 15 square feet.

The solenoid-operated panorama roof consists of three moving slabs of safety-laminated glass and a permanently fixed fourth screen. The first acts much like a wind deflector, automatically rising when the roof is opened to reduce wind turbulence at higher speeds. Unlike the 911 Targa, which featured a single sliding panel of glass when available, the Cayennes glass roof offers several panels in order to cater to the needs of both front and rear passengers. With 15 possible positions, all passengers should find it pleasing. Whats more, at the push of an overhead button an electronic shutter can also be slid into place to protect occupants from excessive sun exposure. Customers will be able to purchase the panoramic roof option on all Cayennes for a price of $3,900.

Another option which will be available across the Cayenne model range as of December this year will be a rearview camera. This safety-precaution device was first mass-marketed on Toyota and Lexus SUVs as a parking and safety assist for the Japanese automakers large sport utility vehicles. The rearward field of vision in a large SUV is minimal and is limited at the height of the tailgate, therefore anything below this point such as a wandering toddler or a potentially damaging obstacle would be “blind” to the driver. The camera, which eliminates this blind spot, is particularly useful for those who regularly hitch and tow trailers as well, as it allows the driver to single-handedly reverse and attach the trailer without needing guidance from people outside the vehicle.

The Cayennes camera stays out of sight, hidden behind a body-color cover which automatically opens when reverse is selected. The image from the camera is then displayed on the 6.5-inch TFT display integrated into the center stack as part of the Porsche Communications Management (PCM) system. Porsches mechanism is particularly smart, with built-in precautions to avoid damage. Like most, the system doesnt work while the car is moving forward, but unique in the industry it will automatically retract if reverse speeds exceed 10 mph. This option will be made available on all Cayennes worldwide for a price of $1,680.

Currently, the Porsche Cayenne Turbo holds the title as the worlds fastest production sport utility vehicle. Although its
unlikely to be challenged by the current BMW X5 4.8is for top honors, Porsche is preparing for a full-on assault from the next generation Benz ML-Class AMG. The solution to this potential problem comes in the form of a performance package called Tequipment, which is similar to the X50 option available to the 996-generation 911 Turbo. A hike of 50 horsepower, to 500, and a boost of torque from 460 lb-ft to 515, available on a broad plateau between 2,250 and 4,750 rpm, is part of the package. These changes can be traced to a re-programmed ECU chip, optimized turbo intercooler and other engine upgrades.

In terms of performance, this is the hottest of all Cayennes not to mention the hottest of all SUVs, redefining “Sport” in Sport Utility Vehicle. Porsche claims that the powerful SUV can hustle its bulk to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds, which is 0.3 seconds quicker than the standard Cayenne Turbo and 0.3 seconds shy of what the new 911 Carrera is capable of, despite the Cayenne Turbo being about a ton heavier. Top speed has also increased to 168 mph, up about 3 mph over the standard Turbos 165 mph upper limit. Porsche claims that the added juice of the Tequipment package hasnt affected the Cayenne Turbos fuel consumption figures, however, which is a good thing considering it gorges 15 miles per gallon of premium.

To cope with the extra power, Porsche has also improved the standard Turbo brakes. New six-piston aluminum calipers biting down on larger (but not carbon-ceramic) 380 mm ventilated disc brakes up front and 358 mm discs in rear are sure to bring the Cayenne to a stop quicker from higher speeds. Adding to the upgraded driving dynamics are 19-inch wheels, necessarily fitted in order to clear the massive brakes.

While the improvements to the speedy Cayenne Turbo are impressive, they wont come cheaply. A new Porsche Cayenne Turbo with the Tequipment package has a list price of $109,200.

Like MINIs Works package, Tequipment can also be retrofitted to any previous model year Cayenne Turbo at a cost of $19,900 plus installation. Like the other options now available to the Cayenne, this power package will be available come December.

Up until this point, all expectations surrounding the Cayenne have come true, except for one, a stripped out, high-performance Club Sport model. While such a move sounds outrageous, no one would put it beyond Porsche to offer such a model in order to homologate a Paris-Dakar Raid style racer to compete against BMWs X5. Given Porsches years of involvement and superiority in the various motorsport classes it competes in, and the SUVs success in the growing market of performance luxury sport utility vehicles, it wouldnt be surprising if this was the next chapter to the Cayenne story.