The fastest production SUV from Porsche is now the Cayenne Turbo GT.
When it comes to sporty SUVs, Porsche are pioneers. They were at the helm of the movement when they launched the first generation Cayenne. Today, just about every supercar brand has caved into the market trend. But Porsche hasn’t just rested on their laurels.
They’ve been pushing harder with every new generation and every new variant. The latest push comes in the form of the all-new Cayenne Turbo GT, which is based on the Cayenne Turbo Coupé.
The Cayenne Turbo GT is powered by an uprated version of the 4-litre twin turbo V8 engine. It produces 90 more horsepower than it did in the Cayenne Turbo Coupé. Total power output of this new flagship performance model is 631 horsepower and 850Nm of torque. This allows the Cayenne Turbo GT to accelerate from 0-100km/h in just 3.3 seconds and increases the top speed to 300km/h. This is an improvement of 0.6 seconds and 14km/h. They’ve already had the car set a new official record for SUVs at the Nürburgring Nordschleife at just 7:38.9.
This is Porsche’s most powerful 8-cylinder engine currently on offer. To extract more power out of it in this iteration, they’ve had to improve the crankshaft drive, turbocharger, fuel injectors, induction system and intercooler. Some parts are completely unique to this engine, including the connecting rods, pistons, timing chain drive and torsional vibration dampers.
Other improvements/changes on the Cayenne Turbo GT:
- 17mm lower suspension
- increased rigidity (15%) of the 3 chamber air suspension
- improvements to PASM, PDCC, PTM and PTV
- front wheels wide by 1 inch
- negative camber increased by 0.45 degrees
- specially-designed new 22″ Pirelli P Zero Corsa performance tyres
- PCCB fitted as standard
- sports exhaust is standard made of titanium, silencer omitted
- tailpipes are centrally mounted
- faster shifting 8-speed Tiptronic S transmission
- additional water cooling for the transfer case
- unique extendable rear spoiler lip (25mm larger, 40kg more downforce)
- new Artic Grey colour (Optional)
- front apron with spoiler lip and enlarged side cooling air intakes
- contoured carbon roof with black wheel arch extensions
- 22″ GT Design in Neodyme
- carbon side plates on roof spoiler
- carbon fibre rear diffuser panel
- eight-way sport seats in the front
- sport rear seat system with two seats
- unique perforated seat centre panels in Alcantara
- contrast accents in Neodyme or Arctic Grey
- ‘turbo GT’ lettering on their headrests
- multifunction sports steering wheel with yellow 12 o’clock marking
- next-generation Porsche Communication Management (PCM) with Apple Carplay and Android Auto
In the USA, the Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT goes for $180,800. In Germany, it’s 196,078 euros.
Here’s the press release with more.
PRESS RELEASE
Porsche rounds off the Cayenne model range with a sporting hero: consistently set up for maximum performance and handling, the new Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT combines outstanding driving dynamics with a high degree of everyday usability. Its 471 kW (640 PS) four-litre biturbo V8 provides the basis for superb driving characteristics. With 67 kW (90 PS) more than the Cayenne Turbo Coupé and maximum torque of 850 Nm (an increase of 80 Nm), the 0-100 km/h sprint is reduced to 3.3 seconds (0.6 s less) and top speed is now 300 km/h (an increase of 14 km/h). With even sportier lines and available exclusively as a four-seater Coupé, the Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT comes with all available chassis systems fitted as standard and performance tyres developed specially for this model. The powertrain and chassis also have a unique set-up specifically tuned for the Cayenne Turbo GT. The result is a harmonious overall concept with superb racetrack capability. This has been proven by Porsche test driver Lars Kern, who lapped the 20.832 km Nürburgring Nordschleife with the Cayenne Turbo GT in a time of 7:38.9 minutes, setting a new official SUV record.
Compared to the Cayenne Turbo Coupé, the Turbo GT rides up to 17 millimetres lower. Based on this, both the passive chassis components and active control systems have been re-engineered and optimised for handling and performance. They also feature specific calibration to guarantee perfect interaction between them. As an example, the rigidity of the three-chamber air suspension has been increased by up to 15 per cent, and the damper characteristics of the Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) as well as the application of the Power Steering Plus and rear-axle steering have also been adapted. The Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) active roll stabilisation system now operates with performance-oriented control software. The result is even better roll stability and roadholding, as well as more precise turn-in behaviour at higher cornering speeds. In line with this, the Porsche Torque Vectoring system allows higher torque bias ratios. The comprehensively optimised front axle also improves handling. Compared to the Turbo Coupé, its front wheels are an inch wider and negative camber has been increased by 0.45 degrees to give the new 22-inch Pirelli P Zero Corsa performance tyres, specially developed for the Turbo GT, a larger contact patch. Braking duties are performed by the standard-fit Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB) system.
Quicker-shifting Tiptronic S and titanium sports exhaust system
The Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT’s biturbo engine is currently Porsche’s most powerful eight-cylinder unit. The most extensive upgrades were carried out in the areas of the crankshaft drive, turbocharger, direct fuel injection, induction system and intercooler. The V8 of the Turbo GT differs from that of the Turbo Coupé in fundamental elements such as its crankshaft, connecting rods, pistons, timing chain drive and torsional vibration dampers. Given the increase in power to 471 kW (640 PS), these components have been designed for higher peak loads and improved driving dynamics. The faster-shifting eight-speed Tiptronic S and the Porsche Traction Management (PTM) system have also been modified. There is also additional water cooling for the transfer case. The standard sports exhaust system, with its central tailpipes, is unique to the Cayenne Turbo GT. From the middle of the vehicle, the exhaust system, including the rear silencer, is made from lightweight and particularly heat-resistant titanium. An additional weight saving is achieved through the omission of the centre silencer.
Sporty equipment: lots of carbon on the exterior, lots of Alcantara in the interior
Optionally available with paintwork in the new Arctic Grey colour, the Cayenne Turbo GT underlines its exceptional athleticism through the outstanding features of its progressive design. These include a GT-specific front apron with striking spoiler lip and enlarged side cooling air intakes, which create a unique front view. A contoured carbon roof and black wheel arch extensions, together with 22-inch GT Design wheels in Neodyme, dominate its side view. The carbon side plates fitted lengthwise to the roof spoiler are GT-specific, as is the adaptively extendable rear spoiler’s lip, which is 25 mm larger than that fitted to the Turbo. This increases downforce at the car’s top speed by up to 40 kilograms. The rear view is rounded off by a striking diffuser panel made of carbon.
Debut in the Turbo GT: new infotainment system for the Cayenne
The sporty character of the Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT is highlighted by the high-quality standard equipment and extended Alcantara features of its interior. Eight-way sport seats in the front and a sport rear seat system with two seats are standard. They each come GT-specific with perforated seat centre panels in Alcantara, contrast accents in Neodyme or Arctic Grey and ‘turbo GT’ lettering on their headrests. As is expected on Porsche’s sports cars, the multifunction sports steering wheel features a yellow 12 o’clock marking. Depending on the specified trim, select accent strips are finished in matt Black. With the Turbo GT, the next-generation Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system is launched onto the market with improved performance, a new user interface and new operating logic in the Cayenne. As before, PCM 6.0 is fully compatible with Apple CarPlay but now also allows for in-depth integration of Apple Music and Apple Podcasts. In addition, the infotainment system now also includes Android Auto, which means that all popular smartphones can now be integrated.
The Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT is available to order and will roll into dealerships in mid-September 2021. Prices in Germany start at 196,078 euros including VAT and country-specific equipment.
