Porsche Cayenne Turbo S (2008): first official pictures

By Ben Pulman

First Official Pictures

21 April 2008 10:47

Because the Porsche Cayenne Turbo isn’t fast enough for everyone, Porsche has just announced the new £89k Turbo S. (Take a deep breath - big numbers ahead...).

That’s £15k more than the standard Turbo, the money going on exhaust and engine management tweaks to give the twin-turbo 4.8-litre V8 an excessive-sounding 542bhp. That’s up from 500bhp, while torque climbs from 516 to 553lb ft, produced from 2250-4500rpm. 

The extra horses cut three-tenths from the 0-62mph dash, taking it down to 4.8 seconds, equal to a 911 Carrera S. Top speed is now 174mph, which means the Cayenne Turbo S will keep up with a regular 911. Not bad for a 2355kg SUV.

Actually it’s not, but it’s not Gaia-saving either. Porsche claims the same 19mpg and 358g/km CO2 as the regular Turbo.

A few cows also died to make the leather interior, and inside the Turbo S you also get electric seats, sat-nav and a 14-speaker Bose stereo. On the outside there are 21-inch wheels, body-coloured bits for the bodykit, and a surprisingly understated grey paint job that's exclusive to the S model.

Porsche says the Cayenne Turbo S is a response to its customers wishes. Apparently the wealthy enthusiasts of Eastern Europe and Asia are partial to ‘exclusive sports-style SUVs with top quality physical handling dynamics’. In short, this car isn't really aimed at markets like the UK that are becoming more SUV-sceptic by the week.

The dynamic part is covered off by Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) and PCCB. That latter acronym means that the Cayenne Turbo S will now be available with ceramic brakes as an option, measuring 410mm at the front and 370mm at the rear. They’ll be available on other Cayennes later in the year, provided you spec at least 20-inch wheels.

The Cayenne Turbo S will be available from August 2008.

By Ben Pulman