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Porsche Cayenne GTS – International Drive
June 26, 2012
The Porsche Cayenne GTS is the sixth variation in the SUV model’s portfolio, and with 309kW and 515Nm on tap it’s the most powerful naturally-aspirated version available. It’s also lighter, faster, greener and more fuel efficient than its predecessor – impressive claims.
From the outside the GTS makes use of exclusive trim and subtle detailing such as smoked headlamps and tail-lights, gloss-black window surrounds, red brake calipers (or yellow if fitted with carbon ceramic stoppers), 20-inch RS Spyder alloy wheels, a twin-wing roof spoiler, black boot strip and matt-black double-barrel exhaust tailpipes. There are also two exclusive colours available: Carmine Red and Peridot Green. Inside, the Cayenne follows the same trim approach as the Panamera GTS with exclusive GTS-emblazoned seats and matching Alcantara trim.
Let’s get straight down to business. The GTS sits below the Cayenne Turbo in the line-up and although it employs the same 4.8-litre V8 as the Cayenne S it benefits from an additional 15kW and 15Nm thanks to a set of optimised intake valves, a more aggressive camshaft profile and strengthened valve gear. Out on the bitumen the Cayenne’s sportiness is hard to deny. It does a great job of masking its 2085kg kerb weight and accelerates with the urgency and ease of a much lighter vehicle – think sports car. Don’t get me wrong: the acceleration isn’t as effortless as a Cayenne Turbo so you’ll need to work the rev needle pretty hard to get into the power band, but the upshot is one of the raspiest, magnificent-sounding V8 roars around. (And it gets louder when you press the Sport button…).
From standstill, the GTS is claimed to hit 100kph in just 5.7 seconds and reach a top speed of 261kph. Power is managed by an eight-speed Tiptronic S transmission that delivers short and crisp gear changes with mid-corner shifts held for longer, too. Auto down-shifting is also more intuitive, ensuring greater uphill acceleration. The perfectly weighted and responsive throttle allows the driver to explore the power band at will and thus have more control over what the engine is doing.
All test units were fitted with the optional Sports Chrono Package and air-suspension (PASM), which comes with five different ride heights that automatically adjust depending on the driving style and road surface.
All test units were fitted with the optional Sports Chrono Package and air-suspension (PASM) which comes with five different ride heights that automatically adjust depending on the driving style and road surface.
The launch drive took the media convoy on a 400km drive along the picturesque Austrian Riviera near Lake Wörthersee and up through some twisty Alpine roads before reaching the ÖAMTC test facility – all which posed no threat for the GTS’ on-road talents. Even in mountains at 2100m above sea level, the un-blown V8 showed no signs of altitude sickness, which is a good omen for prospective Gauteng buyers.
Dynamically, the GTS is surprisingly agile given its physique. The electrically-assisted steering – although low in feedback and feel – is high in accuracy and made easy pickings of the narrow, hairpin-laden Austrian mountain roads. My test vehicle was also fitted with the Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) roll stabilisation system, which highlighted just how competent the GTS is in a track environment. At ÖAMTC, the GTS was able to corner remarkably flat through a tightly laid-out circuit, and even caught up with the Boxster pace car on a few occasions. The drive is so encompassing that I often forgot I was driving a 2000kg sport-utility vehicle.
The route back to the hotel was spent taking in much of the beautiful Austrian landscape and enjoying the comfort of the Cayenne’s opulent interior as well as its exemplary road manners. The GTS is the most road-focused Cayenne to date – a perfect balance of SUV practicality and sports car-like driving dynamics. As South Africa’s best-selling Porsche product, the GTS will only increase the popularity and awareness of the Cayenne nameplate.
The Cayenne GTS will retail for R1 012000 when the first models are expected to hit showroom floors in September 2012.
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