Saturday 27 / April / 2024
Although Porsche’s hard-earned reputation in the automotive world was built on the back of its reputation of high-performance, high-end sports cars, its bestseller is interestingly the Cayenne, a sport utility vehicle. While it is currently available in seven variants, today, we’re taking a sneak peek at the GTS. One of the most expensive in the SUV family, the Cayenne GTS is surely a brilliantly crafted vehicle. One that’s going to make you say “Wow, this thing drives like a gigantic sports car.”
While the GTS is not the most powerful Cayenne in the stable, what makes it stand head and shoulders above the rest is the perfect combination of performance, athleticism, and style with its 440hp, high-performance chassis, and melodic engine sound.
The engine in the GTS has been downsized for 2016 with a 3.6-litre V6 twin-turbo replacing the previous V8. However, the result is an increase in power with 20 extra hp and 85Nm of torque. Fuel economy has also been improved with the new engine.
All models come with an eight-speed Tiptronic-S automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. This well-thought out system ensures power is transferred to the rear wheels and then routed to the front wheels as needed.
Exterior
Porsche have always followed their very own design language to design their exteriors, though whether you find it to your liking is a highly selective matter of personal taste. From the outside you won’t find anything on the Cayenne that sets it apart from the rest of the luxury automotive brands, but then again people don’t buy Porsche vehicles for the looks.
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Interior
Leather interior panelling comes standard with the Cayenne GTS, which I think many would consider a necessity or minimum requirement due to the hefty price tag this ride commands, but what does set the Cayenne ahead of its competitors is the roomy, practical interiors of the car, very suitable for a mid-sized SUV, and one that plays to the car’s advantage in this market.
While the impressive array of buttons on the dash and centre console, do constitute a rocket scientist’s dream and add a modicum of geeky coolness, the operation of these bells and whistles is far from rocket science.
The reason the Cayenne does so well is because it offers petrol heads the opportunity to imbue their family with the luxury, safety and performance that is so uniquely Porsche. After all, it does not make sense to fit your children a 911. While you can enjoy space and practicality in abundance with the GTS, a ride up front is particularly un-missable, with deceptively comfortable sports seating, both in the front and rear. Unless of course, you are exceptionally tall.
The same goes for the boot, which offers up a substantial 670 litres of space with the seats in place and up to 1,780 litres with them folded. You wouldn’t think you’d able to take this to your weekly shop, but there’s another advantage the Cayenne fields over other sports cars.
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On the road
The Cayenne GTS exudes the motoring qualities that have made Porsche the byword for performance par excellence, with impressive body control and a chassis that manages the car’s size with impressive calm. Of the three chassis modes, Comfort is best for long drives, Sport for everything else and Sport Plus for that rare excursion onto a track.
Mirroring the behaviour of other SUVs, the steering of the Cayenne GTS is actually quite light by Porsche standards, which makes it easily manoeuvrable, with a directness and synchronisation that is well-matched to the speed of directional changes the car encourages when you’re pushing on.
The GTS’ standard air suspension with Porsche’s Active Suspension Management (PASM) system allows it to sit 20mm lower than other models, allowing for a more compact and easily manageable ride. You would think an SUV such as this would sacrifice its sporting aspirations, but the GTS doesn’t trade in any of its off-road capabilities, with the switchable terrain modes of the Porsche Traction Management (PTM) retained.
But the problem is that by ditching the 4.8-litre V8, some of the GTS’s charm has gone. The earthy eight-cylinder’s growl has made way for a more muted V6 soundtrack. The standard sports exhaust spices things up a bit, but after a while the noise becomes more of a buzz than a treat to listen to – a crucial part of a performance SUV.
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The Cayenne GTS is not only a sizeable and very well built machine, it’s also going to go a long way to help you avoid a crash in the first place. The superb braking system, sophisticated suspension and substantial grip on offer means you stand a better chance of being able to avoid a kerfuffle, either on the road or off it.
The Cayenne GTS is the best example of a practical and comfortable SUV that doesn’t leave you sacrificing your desire to have fun. It’s still huge fun to drive, arguably more relaxing.
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Specifications
Engine Size: 3.6 litres
Number of Cylinders: 6
Engine Power: Direct fuel injection
Engine Type: Gasoline
Full Tank (Litre): 85
Horsepower: 440hp @ 6000rpm
Torque (NM): 600 Newton Meter @ 5000rpm
Acceleration 0 - 100 KM/H: 5.2 Seconds
Top Speed: 262 Km/h
Transmission Type:
Continuously Variable
Transmission: 8 Speed
Oman Authorised Dealer
Porsche Oman Centre
+968 2449 2544
porsche.com
