What's all this about?

Porsche has revealed the latest installment in its Cayenne range, introducing the new GTS models to the line-up. Sitting between the S and Turbo models, the GTS variants are designed to be slightly more involving than the lowlier versions, but less powerful than the more upmarket iterations. As Porsche puts it, the standard Cayenne “is both a high-performance sports car and an all-terrain SUV,” but in the GTS, the balance has “shifted towards improved on-road capability.”

More capable on the road, you say?

Indeed. We always thought the Cayenne S was a pretty engaging thing anyway, but Porsche has given the GTS some chassis enhancements taken from the high-performance Turbo GT model that isn’t available in the UK. In practice, that means the car sits 10mm lower than standard and rides on adaptive air suspension.

The mechanics of all this stuff is quite complicated, but it’s all inspired by the Turbo GT variant, so it’s supposed to give the GTS more traction and body control without sacrificing comfort. The wheels are also slightly more tilted as a result – only by 0.58 degrees – and that’s supposed to make the car more agile in corners.

So what's under the bonnet?

Like the S, the GTS gets a 4.0-litre, twin-turbocharged V8 engine, but unlike the engine in the S model, it churns out a total of 500hp and 660Nm of torque. That goes to all four wheels via a revised eight-speed automatic gearbox that’s designed to offer a notable improvement in responsiveness and shift times when the car is in Sport and Sport Plus modes.

Combine all that and you get a 0-62mph time of 4.4 seconds and a top speed of 171mph, which makes the GTS six tenths faster to 62mph than the Cayenne S, but only 1mph faster at full chat.

What else do you get?

In addition to the mechanical changes, the GTS also gets some design tweaks, including the black GTS lettering, the bigger air intakes at the front and the red brake callipers. Tinted headlights and tail lights are also fitted as standard, while the Sport Design package that includes the side skirts, window trims and wheel arch extensions, is all finished in high-gloss black. However, the tailpipes, which used to come in black, are now finished in dark bronze, while the 21-inch RS Spyder-design alloys are finished in anthracite grey.

What about the inside?

We’re getting there… The GTS cabin comes with a heated GT sports steering wheel as standard, while there’s lots of Race-Tex suedecloth upholstery to be found on the roof lining, arm rests and door panels. You also get sports seats with bigger side bolsters to offer the driver and passenger more lateral support in corners.

And I can have it in either Coupe or SUV body styles?

Absolutely. Porsche is offering both versions of the GTS, but the Coupe comes with a panoramic glass roof as standard and an adaptive extending rear spoiler. You can also choose to have one of three different lightweight sports packages, which offer features such as a lightweight roof, carbon diffuser and reduced insulation, as well as a sports exhaust system with centrally positioned tailpipes. Depending on the car, the lightweight packages can save up to 25kg.

So how much are we talking?

Both the Coupe and SUV have gone on sale today, with prices starting at £106,100 for the GTS SUV and £107,700 for the GTS Coupe.