Monday, 5 March 2007

New 2007 Porsche Cayenne in Malaysia

By Dr Long







Spotted at Porsche Centre Glenmarie in Malaysia recently, were the new 2007 model Porsche Cayenne, Cayenne S and Cayenne Turbo parked in Auto Eurokars’ stockyard. The changes seen are quite subtle with no drastic changes made by Porsche. After all, the Cayenne has been a healthy profit-making model for the high performance automaker since its late 2002 debut. As such, the newer design is more evolutionary than revolutionary, although the facelift has certainly made them sleeker. One of the sportiest of SUV around, the new Cayenne cuts a lither and more modern figure now.

Definitely more refreshing are the slimmer headlamps and the re-sculpted taillights. A wider and lower stance – as visible from the front - has been afforded by the more protruding flanks, flatter headlights, wider-extending air dams and aerodynamic front fascia. Other notable changes are a pair turning/parking lamps now tucked vertically (except for Cayenne Turbo) into the bilateral gaping grilles of the front bumper. Less obvious but sportier now are details such as the dual exhaust tips now jutting out through ovoid openings in the rear bumper, plus what appears to be a posterior lower air diffuser. The new Cayenne now looks even more like a high-riding 996/997, especially for the Cayenne Turbo.

Under the hood, even the base Cayenne gets a healthy +40bhp of power boost. Its normally aspirated (N/A) six-cylinder engine sees an increase in cubic capacity from 3.2 to 3.6L, enabling it to churn out 290bhp and 385Nm. 0-100km/h is in a claimed 8.1secs, before topping out at 227km/h.

One rung up is the Cayenne S, powered by a 4.8L N/A V8 VarioCam Plus powerplant capable of 385bhp (previously 340bhp) and a bolt-wrenching 500Nm of torque (up from 420Nm). Century sprint is achieved in 6.6secs and this S variant will nudge 252km/h at full pelt.

The ‘bad-boy’ of the family must be the Cayenne Turbo. Its Bi-Turbo VarioCam Plus 4.8L V8 motor now punches out 500bhp (previously 450bhp) and 700Nm (620Nm before). It will shoot from standstill to 100km/h in 5.1secs, on its way to a Vmax of 275km/h.

All Cayennes have permanent 4WD system dubbed Porsche Traction Management (PTM). Torque distribution is 38% front and 62% rear with electronically controlled centre differential. Enhanced Porsche Stability Management (PSM) – electronic stability program equivalent - is standard on all new Cayennes while Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) – adjustable air suspension system - is only standard on the Cayenne Turbo. New bi-xenon headlamps with dynamic cornering light are also fitted standard on the Turbo but a paying option for the others.

Prices are expected to start from RM650K, marginally cheaper than the pre-facelift ‘predecessors’. The new 2007 Cayenne will be available at Auto Eurokars’ Porsche Centre Glenmarie showroom from March 10 onwards.

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