Wednesday, August 21, 2013
2007 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S Preview
The Porsche Cayenne is an SUV automobile made by Porsche since 2002. It is the first V8-engined vehicle built by Porsche since 1995, when the Porsche 928 was discontinued. Sales of the Cayenne have been strong, with 100,000 sold as of June, 2005, becoming Porsches best-selling vehicle in North America.40% of Cayenne sales are in North America. Sales slowed by 2006, however, and Porsche revealed[1] that they would skip the 2007 model year rather than drive down prices with incentives. A redesigned Cayenne model is expected for 2008.
2007 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S
Porsches tradition of profligate product proliferation has produced a fourth Cayenne model positioned above--yes, above--the already mighty, $90K-plus Cayenne Turbo: the 2007 Cayenne Turbo S. As with other "S" models in the Porsche lineup, the Cayenne Turbo S surpasses its lesser brethren with engine and braking enhancements.
Specifically, the Turbo Ss 4.5-liter V-8 gets revised computer controls and larger intercoolers, which allowed Porsche to increase turbo boost pressure to a whopping 27.5 psi. The result is 520 horsepower and 530 lb-ft of torque, allowing the 5192-lb sport-ute to hit 60 mph in just 4.8 seconds on its way to a terminal velocity of 167 mph, making it the fastest production vehicle in the world that can tow a 7700-lb trailer.
Now, those who expect the $111,600 Cayenne Turbo S to look unique in any particular way will be disappointed; apart from the huge, red six-piston front and four-piston rear brake calipers peeking from behind the standard 20-inch wheels--and of course, the "S" badge on the tailgate--there is nothing to set it apart from the plain ol Cayenne Turbo.
Design
The Cayenne was co-developed with Volkswagen, who were also looking to add an SUV to their lineup, as a cost-sharing initiative. Volkswagen share this chassis (the E chassis) to underpin their Touareg sports utility vehicle, and Audi use an extended version for their Q7, although there are numerous styling, equipment and technical differences between the three vehicles. The Cayenne shares only its base engine with the Touareg, and Porsches version is substantially modified. There are currently 4 engines available in the Cayenne:
3.2 L 240 PS (247 hp/184 kW) VR6 from Volkswagen (Based on the unit offered in the VW but with modifications made to the intake, exhaust, timing systems and head)
4.5 L 340 PS (335 hp/250 kW) V8 (S)
4.5 L 450 hp (340 kW) 460 ft·lbf (624 N·m) twin-turbocharged V8 (Turbo)
4.5 L 500 hp (370 kW) 515 ft·lbf (698 N·m) Tequipment twin-turbocharged V8
4.5 L 521 hp (389 kW) 531 ft·lbf (720 N·m) twin-turbocharged V8 (Turbo S)
