Vehicle: 2008 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S
Price as tested: CDN$135795

Performance: Porsche has increased the Cayenne turbo’s displacement of 4.5 liters to 4.8 liters during this initial revision, for both S and Turbo. In the meantime, Porsche also brought out another mid-level 4.8 liter normally aspirated Cayenne called the GTS. Which is basically a Cayenne S with Turbo looks and brakes. Basically you can consider the S similar to a 911 C4, GTS as a 911 C4S and the subject of our test drive, Turbo S as something similar to 911 Turbo. Breathtaking is just an understatement to describe this Cayenne’s performance prowess. It all begins with the larger 4.8 liter DOHC 32-valve V8, added two turbochargers, advanced direct injection and Variocam technologies. The result is an astounishing 500 ponies and a mountain-moving 516 lb/ft of torque. Combined with the maximium torque begins at 2500rpm with 516 lb/ft of torque, basically anything, I meant anything called a sports car will be outrun by this ute. This 500 horses won’t feel breathless when taken up to 190-200 km/h, its relentless release of power thoroughout the rev range. All of these have done without turbo lags when both turbochargers step-in. Those large turbos just spool up quickly and effectively without fuse. Awesome indeed! Throttle response is just a foot away from being ticketed for speeding. However, everything settled so smoothly and elegantly as in Porsche fashion. Without the smart 6-speed Tiptronic-S gearbox. This Cayenne Turbo’s performance won’t be as staggering as it should be. This Tiptronic gearbox has 500 different fuzzy logic programs to adapt to every enthuisast’s needs. The gear ratios also set to suit everyone’s needs on every occassions.

Handling: Its hard to imagine an SUV with high center of gravity can handle so beautifully. But Porsche has done all those with grace and pace. The PTM AWD system has transferred all the power accordingly for whenever the vehicle gone stuck, it works seamlessly for all kinds of weather and conditions. PDCC, which stands for Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control, works hand-in-hand with the chassis to control body rolls. In fact, it controls the body rolls so amazingly. Its hard to imagine an SUV can corner so flat with such a high rate of speed through the corners. On the other hand, Porsche’s famed PASM or Porsche Active Suspension Management, which is a computer system that controls the suspension damping and steering feel, work like magic with those systems. Press into “sport”, both the steering feel has firmed up while suspension stiffened up for enthuisast driving. Even with PASM sets at “sport”, its ride quality remains firm and supple without being punishing. Set into “normal” driving mode, this Turbo drives as well as any Porsche with more comfortable riding quality. Steering feel, as expected, is plenty while it offers typical Porsche precision and responsiveness. Its got to be the best steering I have ever driven in an SUV. You would have thought for an SUV, its stability system would kick in at an alarming rate. It doesn’t simply because its a Porsche. The PSM, which is Porsche’s meaning for stability control, only steps in whenever the driver has reached the outer edge of the limits. Its also has three settings for its level of instrusiveness even in an SUV. While its usual for Porsche sports cars to have such wide array of adjustments, its unusual for any SUV. All these settings allow different level of instrusiveness for different kinds of drivers.

Brakes: For an SUV that weights nearly two tons, Cayenne Turbo’s braking performance is truly a delight. Its not only its large 4-wheel discs with ABS can stop this heavy SUV with ease, they are also doing it without brake fade. At the same time, its ABS system works only necessarily without being stepping in.

Interior: While the pre-facelifted Cayenne has been criticized for having a few cheap pieces inside, all else have been addressed in this revised version. All those materials use inside are much richer and classier. The cheesy plastic on the center console has become rich plastic materials that are worthy of the crest badge. The leather sports seats have amazing amount of support when pushing this performance ute through corners. Everything else has been very well laid-out from the instrumentation gauges to auto climate control.

Conclusion: One thing that should be put at the back of your mind when driving a monster like this Cayenne Turbo is the fuel economy. We averaged 22 liters per 100km consistently between 50% highway and 50% city driving. The low gas warning light came on at about 400km with this 100 liter tank. Because when you are having so much fun with a performance ute, you shouldn’t worry about the amount of gas it slips every minute!

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2008 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S
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Performance: 5/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 5/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 4.5/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 4.5/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 4/5
Value-for-money: 5/5

Overall rating: 4.5/5