Porsche Cayenne

The Porsche Cayenne is a series of automobiles manufactured by the German company Porsche since 2002. It is a luxury crossover SUV, and has been described as both a full-sized and a mid-sized vehicle. The first generation was known within Porsche as the Type 9PA (955/957) or E1. It was the first V8-engined vehicle built by Porsche since 1995, when the Porsche 928 was discontinued. It is also Porsche's first off-road variant vehicle since its Super and Junior tractors of the 1950s, as well as the first production Porsche with four doors. Since 2014, the Cayenne has been sold alongside a smaller Porsche SUV, the Macan.

The second-generation Cayenne (Type 92A or E2) was unveiled at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show in March. The Cayenne shares its platform, body frame, doors, and electronics with the Volkswagen Touareg and Audi Q7. It received a facelift in 2014 with minor external changes, and introduced a new plug-in E-Hybrid version with its public launch at the Paris Motor Show. Since 2008, all engines have featured direct injection technology. The third generation (Type 9YA or E3) was unveiled in 2017 in the German city of Stuttgart.

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First generation (E1 9PA; 2002)

The original Porsche Cayenne entered into the global market to a mixed reception, but it proved itself to have excellent performance for an SUV and had comparably good handling as well as powerful engines. The lineup initially consisted of the V8-powered Cayenne S and Cayenne Turbo. Later in the model cycle, VR6 and diesel-powered versions joined the lineup. In the eight model years of the E1 generation, a total of 276,652 units were produced. The name Cayenne was coined by Manfred Gotta.

The base model Cayenne is powered by a 3.2-L VR6 engine producing . The intake manifold is unique to Porsche, but otherwise the engine is largely the same as the VW engine. Acceleration from is 9.1 seconds with the manual transmission and 9.7 seconds with the Tiptronic S.
File:Porsche Cayenne Turbo rear 20080527.jpg, Rear view (Face-lifted 9PA Cayenne Turbo)
File:Porsche Cayenne 3.2 V6 - Flickr - The Car Spy (10).jpg, E1 Cayenne Interior

Cayenne S

The S in the 955 pre-facelift 9PA is powered by a 4.5L V8 engine with a wet-sump lubrication system and variable valve timing. It produces and of torque. Acceleration from takes 6.9 seconds and the top speed is .

Introduced only for 2006 (as a pre-GTS concept), the Cayenne S Titanium Edition was a one-year exclusive, limited production SUV featuring a lightweight steel body, featuring an aluminium hood (lighter than the one equipped on the Cayenne S), titanium-painted accented body parts, side lower rocker body panels, Sport-Quad Tip Exhaust chrome tailpipes, 19" titanium painted alloy wheels, bi-xenon headlights, two-tone interior upholstery, Porsche PCM 2.0 w/ trip computer navigation, MP3 audio and Bose cabin surround sound. Under the hood, improvements included sport-tuned suspension, an aerodynamic body package, low-range transfer case, locking differential and a 6-speed automatic Tiptronic S transmission. The Cayenne S Titanium Edition is powered by the same 4.5L V8 engine that powered the Cayenne S - still producing and of torque. Acceleration is quicker than the regular Cayenne S from at 6.2 seconds and the top speed is .

In the updated 9PA chassis 957 Cayenne S introduced between 2008 and 2010, it featured a direct fuel injection (DFI) 4.8L V8 engine which produces and of torque. It had a 0– time of 6.6 seconds with a top speed of 250 km/h. The updated V8 engine featured VarioCam Plus which combine variable valve timing with two-stage valve lift on the inlet side.

Cayenne GTS

The E1 Gran-Turismo Sport (GTS) was only offered in the updated 9PA chassis between the year 2008 and 2010. It was the first Porsche of the modern era to feature the GTS abbreviation nameplate in its model designation. Its sporty chassis had been specially developed only for this model variant and it was powered with a performance tuned 4.8 L V8. It also featured a lowered sport suspension, sports exhaust system and high performance wheels as standard. It was much lighter than a normal Cayenne and had an aerodynamic wide body kit standard from factory. The Porsche Cayenne GTS had a 0– time of 6.1 seconds with a top speed of 253 km/h. A six-speed manual transmission was also offered in the GTS.

Cayenne Turbo and Turbo S

The first-generation 9PA Cayenne Turbo had , and can accelerate from 0– in 5.6 seconds. A Turbo S version was built in 2006 to compete with the Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG. The Cayenne Turbo and Turbo S include a low-range case, a locking differential, and height-adjustable, off-road suspension. The Turbo S is powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.5 L V8 that produces and of torque; Acceleration from 0– takes 5.0 seconds and the top speed is ; It features a six-speed automatic Tiptronic S transmission.In 2008 an updated 9PA Turbo model, featuring a larger direct fuel injection 4.8-L V8 engine, was revealed at the Beijing Auto Show. It produces more power, and can accelerate from 0– in 4.9 seconds. Also revealed with the new Turbo, was a new Turbo S model. Acceleration from 0– for that car takes 4.7 seconds and it can be had with optional ceramic composite brakes.

Cayenne Diesel

The original Cayenne Diesel was only available in the facelift 9PA chassis, powered by a 3.0-L V6 VW TDI engine, since February 2009. The engine is rated at and of torque. The car was unveiled at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show. The diesel can accelerate from 0– in 8.2 seconds.

Cayenne S Transsyberia

The Cayenne S Transsyberia was originally a racing vehicle designed for the Transsyberia rally, in which only 285 were built.

The street version was later built to commemorate Porsche's victory in the Transsyberia rally. It is only available in the 9PA chassis with the direct-inject 4.8-L V8 from the Cayenne GTS. Sales began in January 2009, with a targeted production run of 600 road vehicles worldwide (285 for North America), but far fewer were actually built (102 for USA, 17 for Canada including 3 which were 6 speed manual).

Cayenne GTS Porsche Design Edition 3 (2010)

In May 2009, a limited edition version based on the Cayenne GTS was introduced, designed by Porsche Design Studio and included a Porsche Design chronograph Type P'6612. Production was limited to 1000 units worldwide.

Cayenne Concepts

In April 2022, Porsche unveiled a concept open-top Cayenne for the first time to the public as a part of the 20th anniversary of the Porsche Cayenne. The Cayenne was proving successful, so in December 2002 Porsche designers wanted to assess the viability of more Cayenne body styles. They came up 3 alternate body shapes: a coupe style SUV, a convertible SUV and a longer wheelbase 3 row SUV. Porsche designers decided to continue with the idea of a convertible SUV, creating a two-door, non-drivable (due to a lack of strengthening added to the chassis to prevent the car from buckling without a fixed roof) convertible Cayenne that had two alternate designs on the rear. Additionally, its doors were 20 cm longer than the standard Cayenne and it had a shorter A-Pillar than the standard model. Due to the concerns surrounding head room, boot space and rear design the idea was scrapped. However, the coupe style SUV lead to the modern Cayenne Coupe. Moreover, the idea of a longer wheelbase 3 row SUV likely led to the large Porsche SUV which is currently in the prototype stages.

Engines

Second generation (E2 92A; 2010)

The second-generation Porsche Cayenne 92A went on sale in April–May 2010 as a 2011 model, with an official debut at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. In preparation for the unveiling, the Cayenne production facility in Leipzig, Germany, closed in December 2009 to commence factory retooling for the new model, a process that took two to three months.

The 92A Porsche Cayenne was slightly larger than its predecessors, but featured a more slanted rear window, less upright windshield, a more sloping roofline, door-mounted mirrors, smaller windows at the rear of the vehicle, headlights inspired by the Carrera GT, taillights that extend onto the car's tailgate, LED daytime running lights and a vastly redesigned interior much like the Panamera. The 2011 Cayenne is almost lighter than the previous models due to removing the low-range transfer case making it slightly more fuel efficient than the previous lineup. More use of aluminium and magnesium also helped shave weight. Despite its lower stance, the new vehicle's off-road capabilities have been retained without compromising the street performance-oriented layout and design. In addition to a diesel offering, a hybrid version is available. Model year 2013–2016 diesel Porsche Cayennes are included in the Volkswagen emissions scandal.

Standard features of the 92A Porsche Cayenne included automatic air conditioning with dual-zone climate controls, interior air filter, tilt/telescopic leather-wrapped steering wheel with radio controls, cruise control, leather upholstery, eight-way power front seats, outside-temperature indicator, and universal garage door opener in the base model. The Cayenne S adds a power sunroof and memory for the driver's seat. The Cayenne GTS added an optional rearview camera, keyless access and start, and memory system. Finally, the most upscale Cayenne Turbo and Turbo S added a navigation system with voice recognition, optional four-zone climate controls, heated rear seats, premium sound system with six-disc CD changer.

The E2 Cayenne was powered by a 3.6-L VR6 engine producing , the Cayenne S features the same 4.8-L V8 in the Panamera S models producing and the Cayenne Turbo comes with Panamera Turbo's 4.8 L twin turbo V8 producing . The Cayenne S Hybrid uses an Audi-sourced 3.0-L V6 engine producing , paired with a nickel metal hydride battery capable of , for a total of . A six-speed manual gearbox serves as the standard transmission system on the base Cayenne to 2014, with all other models featuring an eight-speed automatic (Tiptronic S) as standard equipment. The low-range transfer case found in the previous generation has been removed. All vehicles will feature about 10% less weight than their predecessors, 70 kg worth of standard equipment in excess of that found on the current model and a more heavily contoured rear bench.

Available Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control ( PDCC) active anti-roll bars, Adaptive air suspension and Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM).

In September 2012 Porsche announced the Cayenne S Diesel. This model is fitted with the Audi 4.2 V8 TDI engine. In October 2012, Porsche confirmed the addition of a new Cayenne Turbo S.

In July 2014, Porsche launched a facelifted Cayenne range, with minor exterior alterations and new power-train options, including a plug-in E-Hybrid and downsizing of the S model's 4.8-L V8 to a turbocharged 3.6-L V6.

File:2015 Porsche Cayenne V6 Diesel Triptonic S 3.0 Front.jpg, Porsche Cayenne V6 Diesel (UK; facelift)
File:2015 Porsche Cayenne V6 Diesel Triptonic S 3.0 Rear.jpg, Porsche Cayenne V6 Diesel (UK; facelift)

Hybrid

At the IAA 2005, Porsche announced it would produce a hybrid version of the Cayenne before 2010 (Porsche Cayenne Hybrid). Two years later, at the IAA 2007, Porsche presented a functioning Cayenne Hybrid and demonstration model of the drivetrain.

Notable modifications to this car include an electric vacuum pump and hydraulic steering pump, allowing the car to function even when the engine is deactivated. A 288-volt nickel metal hydride battery is placed under the boot floor, occupying the space normally used for a spare tire.

The production version, called the 'S' Hybrid, was launched in 2010, with a 3.0-L petrol V6 linked with an electric motor to achieve emissions of 193 g/km. The S Hybrid was launched in the U.S. market in November 2010.

Plug-in hybrid

In July 2014, Porsche announced the launch of the Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid, a plug-in hybrid with an all-electric range between under the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) standard. The plug-in model displaced the Cayenne S Hybrid from the line up, and it is part of the revised range. The Cayenne S E-Hybrid is the first plug-in hybrid in the premium SUV segment, allowing Porsche to become the first automaker with three production plug-in hybrid models. Deliveries in Germany were scheduled to begin in October 2014. Sales in the U.S. began in November 2014.

;EPA fuel economy ratings
The following are the official EPA ratings of the Cayenne S E-Hybrid compared with the others models of the 2015 line up available in the U.S.:

Engines

Guinness World Record

On 1 May 2017, a 2017 Porsche Cayenne S Diesel set the Guinness World Record for heaviest aircraft pulled by a production car. The Cayenne towed a 265-ton Air France Airbus A380 to a distance of 42 meters, breaking the previous 2013 record of a Nissan Patrol towing a 170-ton Ilyushin Il-76 to a distance of 50 meters. After the attempt Porsche repeated the test using a petrol-powered Cayenne Turbo S with 800 Nm of torque, 50 Nm less than the S Diesel, in an effort to prove the Cayenne's remarkable ability.

Third generation (E3 9YA/9YB; 2017)

The third-generation Porsche Cayenne was revealed on August 29, 2017, set to be put on sale in 2019. It is built on the Volkswagen Group MLB platform shared with several other luxury crossover SUVs produced by Volkswagen Group, including the Volkswagen Touareg, Audi Q7, Audi Q8, Bentley Bentayga, and Lamborghini Urus.

For this generation, the Cayenne no longer shares the door design with the Volkswagen Touareg. According to Stephan Lenschow, the Cayenne body product manager, this allows Porsche to give the Cayenne a more 'coke bottle' design. The Cayenne also received a redesigned front end with larger air intakes, more prominent creases along the bonnet, and a lower roofline to align its styling with the Porsche 911.

The wheelbase remains unchanged from the previous generation, but Porsche increased the Cayenne's overall length slightly by about . The height is slightly lowered by and the coefficient of drag is rated at 0.35.

Despite a small increase in length, the third-generation Cayenne is lighter by around , depending on the configuration, due to the use of a lighter chassis. Aluminium is used extensively throughout the vehicle, including in the doors, roof, hood, rear hatch, as well as its body in white. The ratio of aluminium to high-strength steel is roughly 50-50, according to Lenschow. A lighter lithium-ion polymer starter battery that saves also contributes to its weight distribution, which in base configuration is nearly balanced with approximately 55 percent front and 45 percent rear.

All engine options of the third-generation Cayenne are turbocharged, while diesel engines are no longer offered. All Cayenne models in this generation are equipped with an updated eight-speed " Tiptronic S" transmission that is claimed to provide quicker shifts than before.

Porsche offers optional Porsche Surface Coated Brakes (PSCB), which consist of a cast-iron disc with 70 micrometers of tungsten-carbide coating. According to Karl Heess, Porsche director for product line SUV, PSCB reduce brake dust by as much as 50 percent over conventional iron brake discs), and extend the life of the disc by up to 35 percent. It is more expensive than iron discs while still being 50 percent less expensive than the ceramic brake option. Other innovations in this generation include staggered (different width) front and rear tires, and optional rear-axle steering to reduce the turning radius.

In the first quarter of 2022, Porsche sales declined by 5%, but the Cayenne remained the manufacturer's best-selling car.

File:2018 Porsche Cayenne V8 Turbo Tiptronic 4.0 Rear.jpg, Rear (Cayenne Turbo)
File:2018 Porsche Cayenne S Interior.jpg, Interior (Cayenne S)

Cayenne Coupé

A model with a more rakish roofline dubbed the Cayenne Coupé became available in 2019. It was revealed during the Shanghai Auto Show in April 2019. At launch, there were two sub-models, the Cayenne Coupé and Cayenne Turbo Coupé.

The Cayenne Coupé is extensively reworked from the standard model, featuring a shallower front windshield and narrower A-pillar. The roof is lowered by , while new rear door panels and updated fenders extended the vehicle width by . The drag coefficient is rated at 0.34, which is 0.1 lower than the regular model. Every Cayenne Coupé is equipped with standard fixed-glass panoramic roof, while an optional contoured carbon roof is also available as an option.

File:2019 Porsche Cayenne V8 Turbo Automatic Coupe 4.0 Front.jpg, Cayenne Turbo Coupé
File:2019 Porsche Cayenne V8 Turbo Automatic Coupe 4.0.jpg, Rear view

Variants

At its introduction in August 2017, Porsche released two versions of the third-generation Cayenne, which are base and Cayenne S. The Cayenne Turbo was released a month later. The Cayenne S used the EA839 2.9 liter twin turbo V6 engine, with larger brake rotors and calipers compared with the base model.

Cayenne Turbo

In September 2017, Porsche added the Cayenne Turbo to the line-up. Introduced at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the Cayenne Turbo is powered with a twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 rated at and of torque. Porsche claimed a acceleration figure of 4.1 seconds, or 3.9 seconds with the Sport Chrono package, and a top speed of The Porsche Surface Coated Brakes (PSCB) is a standard equipment.

Cayenne E-Hybrid

In May 2018, Porsche introduced the Cayenne E-Hybrid. Sharing the same plug-in hybrid system with the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid, the variant uses a 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine with an eight-speed Tiptronic S automatic gearbox rated at and of torque. Porsche claims a time of 5.0 seconds and top speed of . The all-electric range is rated by Porsche at . It takes 7.8 hours to fully charge the 14.1 kWh battery with a 230-volt connection, or 2.3 hours if an optional 7.2 kW on-board charger is fitted.

Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid

In August 2019, the Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid was released for both regular and Coupé body styles. A plug-in hybrid model, it uses a twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 petrol engine rated at and a electric motor for a combined total of and of torque. A 14.1-kWh lithium-ion battery is used, and was said to offer 30 percent more capacity than the battery used in previous generation plug-in hybrid Cayenne models. Charging time is quoted at 2.4 hours when connected to a 240-volt, 50-amp source. Porsche claimed a acceleration figure of 3.6 seconds with a top speed of . Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB), Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC), Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV+), and Sport Chrono Package are standard equipment for the model.

Cayenne GTS

In June 2020, Porsche introduced the Cayenne GTS and Cayenne GTS Coupé for the 2021 model year, after a two-year hiatus. It is powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 shared with the Panamera GTS, which is rated at and of torque. The new models are capable of reaching in 4.8 seconds or 4.5 seconds using Performance Start, which is included in the optional Sport Chrono Package (standard on Coupé). Sport Design package, 21-inch RS Spyder Design wheels, and Sport Exhaust are included as standard equipment.

After another one-year hiatus, Porsche reintroduced the GTS trim for the 2025 model year. Both coupe and SUV body styles are available, powered by a 4.0 liter twin turbo V8 producing 493 hp, enabling 0–60 mph accleration in 4.2 seconds. Coupe and SUV models come standard with Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus and the exterior SportDesign package. https://newsroom.porsche.com/en_US/2024/products/The_2025_Cayenne_GTS_models.html

File:Porsche Cayenne (PO536) GTS IMG 3952.jpg, Cayenne GTS
File:Porsche Cayenne (PO536) GTS IMG 3953.jpg, Rear view

Cayenne Turbo GT

In June 2021, Porsche introduced the Cayenne Turbo GT version. Based on the Cayenne Coupé, it uses a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine which Porsche claims to produce and claimed acceleration time in 3.3 seconds. It is equipped with 22-inch wheels with Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres. Ride height is lowered by , while overall vehicle height is lower.

2023 facelift

In April 2023, the Cayenne was given a mid-cycle refresh for the 2024 model year. Notable changes include a new dashboard layout, similar to that of the Taycan, a fully digital 12.6-inch gauge cluster, and minor exterior restyling modifications for the hood, headlights, bumpers, fenders, and trunk.

Matrix LED headlamps are now equipped as standard equipment across the range, while HD Matrix LED units are optional. The HD Matrix LED features two high-definition modules and more than 32 000 pixels per headlamp, and the pixel accuracy of the headlamp units enables the selective blocking out of parts of the high beam.

The powertrains were also upgraded, with the base 3.0-litre V6 engine power output increasing by and of torque to produce and . The Cayenne S gained a V8 engine which it lost since the release of the third-generation Cayenne. It is a 4.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine that produces and of torque, representing an increase of output of and over the previous Cayenne S that is powered by a 2.9 dm³ twin-turbocharged petrol V6.

The electric motor from the E-Hybrid plug-in hybrid variant was increased from , and the battery increased to , up from previously, offering a pure electric driving range of up to 90 km on the WLTP test cycle.

Revisions to the chassis for this refreshed model included revised dampers with two-valve technology for separate compression and rebound sections, which Porsche claimed will help offer a wider range of performance between ride comfort and handling.

Porsche has announced its new 2024 Cayenne S E-Hybrid, the third plug-in hybrid (PHEV) model in its largest-SUV lineup. The new model slots between the Cayenne E-Hybrid and the Turbo E-Hybrid. The new S E-Hybrid uses a turbocharged 3.0L V6 engine that makes 348 horsepower on its own, and a combined output of 512 horsepower with its electric motor, along with 553 lb-ft of torque.

File:2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupé IAA 2023 1X7A0021.jpg, 2024 Porsche Cayenne Coupé
File:2023 Porsche Cayenne S IAA 2023 1X7A0025.jpg, 2024 Porsche Cayenne S
File:2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupé S Motorworld Munich 1X7A0074.jpg, 2024 Porsche Cayenne Coupé S
File:2023 Porsche Cayenne e-Hybrid.jpg, 2024 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid
File:Porsche PO536 Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid IAA 2023 1X7A0537.jpg, 2024 Porsche Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid
File:Porsche Cayenne IV Turbo GT 002.jpg, 2024 Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT

Powertrain

^SC = With Sport Chrono Package

Safety

Records

In June 2021, a Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT lapped 7:38:925 at Nürburgring Nordschleife. The car was driven by test driver Lars Kern.

Mechanical issues

The Porsche Cayenne is known for some mechanical issues. This includes the failure of the center drive shaft carrier bearing. Cayenne engines using Lokasil or Alusil engine blocks, with exception of the VW-based VR6 six-cylinder engine which has a cast iron block, can suffer from cylinder bore scoring as well. Early V8 Cayenne models came equipped with plastic coolant pipes that would crack and fail, possibly causing the engine to overheat. Subsequent Cayenne S and Turbo engines were fitted with upgraded aluminum coolant pipes to rectify this issue. 958 Cayenne models except Hybrid and V6 Diesel suffer with transfer case problems, and Porsche issued a 10-year warranty on 958.1 (2011–2014) and a 7-year warranty on 958.2 (2015–2018), both with unlimited mileage.

In popular culture

In 2021, a Chinese manufacturer introduced the Changan Uni-K, which bears a striking resemblance to the Porsche Cayenne, especially from the rear and side profiles. The car was sold for approximately 21,000 euros.

References

Bibliography

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External links

Official website

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Cayenne
Cars introduced in 2002
2010s cars
2020s cars
Sport utility vehicles
Luxury crossover sport utility vehicles
All-wheel-drive vehicles
Cars powered by VR engines
Hybrid sport utility vehicles
Euro NCAP large off-road
Plug-in hybrid vehicles
Partial zero-emissions vehicles
Vehicles with four-wheel steering