| New Model Preview | Frankfurt Motor Show | Porsche Cayenne GTS |
Filling a gap between the S and Turbo, Porsche is to showcase the Cayenne GTS in
Frankfurt this week. Rather than merely introduce a model that slides in between two current cars all too easily (yes
Cayman, that's you), Porsche has given the GTS a lot to be proud of. However, one area still lacking is the looks; taking styling cues from the Turbo, the GTS still retains a somewhat controversial appearance.
Porsche is to fit electronically-controlled damping to the Cayenne - a first for the range. Coupled to Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), the ride height is lowered by 24mm and factory fitted 21-inch rims sufficiently fill the enlarged wheel arches, giving the GTS huge presence.
Additional to exterior tweaks, the new Cayenne has 405bhp and 368lb.ft of torque at 3,500rpm. That's 20bhp more than the Cayenne S, although still some way short of the Turbo's 500bhp. The 4.8-litre V8 can see off the dash to 62mph from a standing start in 6.1 seconds - half a second quicker than the S. With such a modest power increase, the better acceleration time is mostly due to a shortened final drive gear ratio (4.1:1 opposed to 3.55:1 in the Cayenne S).
On the handling front, the GTS should be a very capable four-wheel drive machine. Adaptive PASM and Porsche Traction Management (PTM) are standard, but optional Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) and air suspension would do no harm to driving dynamics either.
Interior modifications are a limited affair with new 12-way adjustable sports seats and leather and Alcantara upholstery, although two new colours are exclusively available for the GTS: GTS Red and Nordic Gold Metallic.
Porsche will price the Cayenne GTS at £54,350, releasing it in the UK in February 2008. The price includes Porsche's Vehicle Tracking System (VTS) and a Porsche Driving Experience Programme is even thrown in for free.
Kyle Molyneux - 10 Sep 2007
