Porsche Cayenne 2009 News

As the new global boss of VW promises to compensate customers for a loss in resale value, lawyers are lining up in Australia to represent more owners of cars with software that can cheat diesel emissi

Porsche’s next generation four wheel drive flagship due in 2017 will take advantage of weight savings and safety gains from a new platform while gaining new styling inspired on Porsche’s entry level SUV.The new MLB platform is shared with Audi’s upcoming Q7, Lamborghini’s and Bentley’s planned four wheel drives and the next generation Volkswagen Touareg. The modular architecture will allow weight savings of more than 100kg. An increase in torsional rigidity and safety is also expected. Importantly, the modular structure will keep costs down by spreading development costs across a large number of models in VW Group’s portfolio.Stylistically, Porsche’s familiar DNA continues, with wide wheel arches and oval headlamps. But the new look Cayenne will borrow its smaller sibling’s cues, with a clam shell bonnet and rising creased shoulder line running the length of the sides.Engines are likely to be revised versions of the current power plants, raising the output from 221kW V6, 294kW V8 in the Cayenne S, and flagship V8 Cayenne Turbo delivering a stonking 368kW. Carry over V6 Diesel with 179kW, and 279kW V6 petrol-electric hybrid power plants are also expected to continue. But those who don’t want to wait until 2017 for a new Cayenne will be happy to hear that next year we’ll see a facelift of the current model, intended to keep the SUV looking fresh until the next generation arrives.

The ocean is full of surprises, and some Chinese fishermen got a huge one when they found a Porsche in their nets.  The Cayenne SUV – which sells from around $110,000 here – was landed while the crew was recently fishing off the Coast of Beihai. The Cayenne was covered in seaweed and barnacles, with its state pointing to it having been underwater for at least two years according to experts called in to assess it. Reports on CarNewsChina.com suggest that the waters and coastal areas around Beihai are a hotspot for smugglers bringing in luxury goods to escape the huge import tariffs China imposes. It’s believed the smuggler possibly pushed the Porsche overboard after spotting a customs patrol.  The vehicle, which would have netted the smuggler a sizable profit, sold to a Beihai scrap metal dealer for 4000 yuan ($650).  

Sometime in the near future Porsche will be introducing a mid-cycle update to its Cayenne, with the updated SUV most likely being introduced for the 2015 model year. The update will include the typical retouches to the bumpers and lights, as well as some technical changes, the most significant of which will reportedly be a new plug-in hybrid option. We’ve previously told you that the Cayenne, as well as the Panamera, will be receiving a plug-in hybrid option at some point. But now it's tipped that the option will be introduced in calendar year 2014 along with the SUV’s mid-cycle update. The Panamera is expected to soon follow with a plug-in hybrid option, though its system will be used to power only the rear wheels while the Cayenne will stick with all-wheel drive Porsche will be calling its plug-in hybrid system an ‘e-hybrid,’ and a preview of the technology was recently showcased in the Panamera Sport Turismo concept at the 2012 Paris Auto Show. Porsche’s e-hybrid system is an advanced development of the parallel full hybrid the automaker already implements today in the Cayenne S Hybrid and Panamera S Hybrid models. The e-hybrid’s electric motor currently produces about 69 kilowatts, and is matched to a supercharged 3.0-litre V-6 engine producing 245 kilowatts on its own. Working together, the two power sources can accelerate a vehicle the size of the Cayenne in around 9.5 seconds km/h or less. Motor Authority  

The hybrid S will cost $159,900, putting it in the middle of the five-model Cayenne lineup. The newcomer has about more standard equipment, worth about $12,000, sportier performance than before and fuel saving reductions of up to 23 per cent. It is powered by a supercharged 245kW 3.0-litre V6 and a 34kW electric motor with a combined torque output of 580Nm from 1000 revs. It uses just 8.2 litres/100km, has CO2 emissions of 193 g/km and can be driven for short distances at speeds up to 60km/h on electric power only. Porsche Cars Australia spokesman, Paul Ellis, expects strong interest in the green wagon. "But it's a completely new area for us," Ellis says. "We've never had a hybrid performance car before." However, he is confident that up to 15 per cent of all Cayennes sold here will be hybrid. "Our customers are waiting to see and drive this new technology," he says. The Cayenne traditionally makes up between 35 per cent and 45 per cent of total Porsche sales locally. "I'd expect this figure to carry over to the new car," Ellis says. "However, prices have risen only marginally and we're putting more equipment into the cars. This could mean exceptionally strong sales for the first year." Cayenne prices have gone up 1 per cent, ranging between $1500 and $2700 depending on the model. The lineup will open with the V8 Cayenne S, the V6 Cayenne S Hybrid and twin-turbocharged V8 Cayenne Turbo. A V6 petrol and V6 turbo-diesel arrive in August to complete the five-model line-up. The range gets a new eight-speed tiptronic gearbox, extra-light all-wheel drive system and a weight reduction of up to 180kg, depending on the model. PricesCayenne V6 petrol $103,500Cayenne V6 diesel $104,500Cayenne S $147,900Cayenne S Hybrid $159,900Cayenne Turbo $239,900

January/February kicks off with the Turbo version of the 911 and the GT3 race/road car.  An even racier version of the GT3 arrives in April.  Porsche Cars boss Michael Winkler says the GT3RS will be ‘very radical’.  "It will not be the car you want to take home or to get the groceries, but it will be road-registerable," he says."We have orders for 24 already, but I can't even give you a ballpark figure yet on price."  “Production starts in February… if we sell 20-25 I'd be very happy.Also arriving in April is the 911 Sport Classic with three already on order, according to Porsche Australia PR boss Paul Ellis."This is one for the Porsche purists; a tribute to the iconic things we've done with our sports cars," he says.  "It has woven leather seats and a big duck tail which is a tribute to the famous 1973 2.7 RS.  There is a slight bubble in the roof as a salute to the Spyder, it has black five-spoke Fuchs wheels, more power than the Carrera S and manual only highlighting it's for the purist."Also coming in April is the Boxster Spyder which is another niche product with Porsche Australia expecting to sell about 20-30.  It will be limited to one production year like GT2 and GT3.  Meanwhile, the next-generation GT2 arrives toward the end of next year.Winkler says the new Cayenne was also due late next year with a hybrid version.  "As much as 25 per cent of total Cayenne sales could be hybrid but probably more likely about 15 per cent," he says."I would expect hybrid sales would be more a substitution for buying the V8 because of the power it delivers from the combined petrol and electric powertrains."

A luxury European sportscar manufacturer wrapped up production on a highly secretive photo shoot last week in Port Douglas, North Queensland. Traffic control was in place and no one was allowed to see or photograph the reportedly German car, believed to be the new hybrid Cayenne, while the advertisement was being shot at three locations around the expensive resort town.Although location manager Cameron Wood would not speculate on the amount Porsche had spent, he said the photo shoot was the most expensive Australia had seen this year. “These clients come from overseas and spend big amounts,” he said.Five prototypes of the SUV, due to be released to the world in May, were in Port Douglas for the filming. The advertisements will appear in newspapers, luxury car and yachting magazines, car manuals and on billboards around the world.The petrol-electric drivetrain in the Cayenne hybrid comes from the project developed in tandem with Volkswagen, and will also appear in the Touareg, although the Porsche version could have increased capacity and outputs.The Volkwagen version has a 245kW/440Nm 3.0-litre V6 engine (used in the Audi S4) married to a 38kW electric motor, with outputs boosted to 275kW and 550Nm with the two engines working in tandem.In the Touareg, regenerative braking capture charges the 288-volt nickel-metal battery, with its 67kg weight carried at the rear and contained in a metal case for protection. A DC/DC system converts the output to 12v to power airconditioning and other peripherals.The e-motor replaces the starter motor, and in normal driving the torque converter opens for initial acceleration then closes when the SUV is running along. In stop-start driving the clutch restarts the action.The Cayenne is likely to have the Touareg hybrid’s new eight-speed automatic transmission from Aisin, which has been developed to cope with the torque and give a more definite response than would be possible with a continuously variable box. The Porsche hybrid concept on show at Frankfurt was based on the current model, but the production version will be in line with the coming Cayenne.

Based on first impressions and the reaction at this week’s Shanghai Motor Show, the latest Porsche, like the Cayenne, is destined for success.And who can remember when Porsche aficionados criticised the Cayenne for not being a true Porsche?The Panamera has also coped some criticism for moving the brand away from its so-called core values but Porsche is moving with the times.We’ll have to wait several months for the first official drive of the sleek V8 but Porsche insiders say it handles as well as a 911, yet provides a luxury car ride through its adaptive suspension.After its official reveal, showgoers six-deep poured over the car, particularly the rear seat and luggage area and throughout the opening day Porsche executives wore smiles a mile wide as the Panamera clearly became everyone’s favourite.In the flesh, the car is best viewed from the front three quarter, where it looks not surprisingly a lot like the 911.Perhaps the least flattering views are in profile and from the rear, where the car’s high shoulder line and rump tend to give the big sedan a bulky feel.But there’s no denying the roomy cabin.As chief designer Michael Mauer says, the car was designed from the inside out.“It needed to be roomy and I think we’ve achieved those objectives,” he says.Porsche has taken great pains to give the car respectable rear seat leg and headroom. It has succeeded.Slide into either of the two comfy leather rear seats and the overall impression is one of excellent quality and surprising amount of space.The centre console reaches from the dashboard right through the centre of the car, running the full length of the cabin, which means this Porsche is not a five seater.Nor will it ever be available with a conventional rear bench seat, according to Mauer.“If you want a five-seater we have the Cayenne,” he says.The centre console controls around the gearshift have a distinct look of modern mobile phone controls yet the dials are distinctly Porsche with a large rev counter directly in front of the driver.Despite the mark down as a five seater, the two rear seat passengers are pampered with individual heating and air conditioning controls and electrically adjustable seatbacks on the Turbo.Both rear seats flip forward to provide an almost flat load area and the luggage area is big enough and deep enough to hold four suitcases. The large rear hatch is wide and deep, which should allow easy access.Like many upper end European wagons, the Panamera can be specified with an automatic opening and closing boot.Most rear seat occupants up to 2m in height will find the space agreeable and even with a tall person in the driver’s seat there is still plenty of legroom.However, the car’s high shoulder line, although providing a cocooning feel, reduces visibility and the car’s rear three quarter visibility could be a problem for parking.As with all Porsches, the Panamera feels classy and even a cut above even the 911 and Cayenne.It will need to be as one of the big sedan’s key rivals is the lavishly equipped Maserati Quattroporte.Porsche expects to sell about 20,000 a year.But if first impressions are any guide, the Panamera may well break through this barrier.Recession or no recession, they have another winner on their hands.We can’t wait to drive it.

The difference is that the next new model of the cash-cow Cayenne SUV will be the first Porsche with a diesel engine. The diesel Cayenne will arrive within three months at a starting price of $101,900 and should soon become one of the most popular models in local showrooms. It will need to do well to arrest a sales slide which has seen demand for Porsches drop by more than 40 per cent since the final quarter of 2008. The objective is to stop the rot in the 25-30 per cent by the end of July, meaning a 2009 sales total of around 1000 cars against 1180 last year. "The Cayenne diesel will save the bacon," says the managing director of Porsche Cars Australia, Michael Winkler. "It's recession proofing the company. That's what we said and it's coming true. "In the highly speed-limited environment in Australia, the 0-100km/h time, the torque, says it all. It's a very Porsche driving experience." He expects the diesel to grab 80 per cent of the current sales of the Cayenne V6 while adding a few of its own, but admits "It will cannibalise it, for sure". But the diesel Cayenne is not the only newcomer for '09, as Porsche has just unveiled the updated Cayman and Boxster - more power and torque with better economy, a prices which are up to $12,000 better value - and is planning for the arrival of the updated 911 GT3 and the crucial Panamera. "That car is a very safe bet. We will have it in October," says Winkler. The price is already set from $270,200 for the PDK-equipped Panamera S to $364,900 for the Turbo model, and Porsche is trumpeting five innovations including the operating system for the lift-up rear wing. But there is no word on numbers for Australia. "That is the million-dollar question," say Winkler. He forecasts that as many as 80 per cent of Panamera buyers will be new to Porsche, and expects them to be pushing for something new on all fronts. "The customers will be more demanding. I think the expectations of Panamera customers will transform our organisation." Winkler says the Panamera will join the Cayenne in Porsche's hybrid push, although it is unlikely that the four-door luxury car will get a diesel. At first. "At this point, no plans," he says. And what about the hybrids? "Cayenne will get here first. Before the end of 2010. We might be six weeks later than Europe but we really want it here before the end of 2010. We will get the first right-hand drive cars produced and on a ship before England." The hybrid will be part of an all-new Cayenne model, which Winkler stresses is a pure Porsche and not just a body job on the Volkswagen Touareg with powerful engines. And, for the first time, he emphasises that even the first-generation Touareg was really a Porsche project. "It is a car we did for Volkswagen. So they have taken a Porsche, we have not taken a Volkswagen," Winkler says.  

The famous German maker of sports cars and race machines makes a big SUV wagon, then it confirms it is making a four-door sporty Porsche and now there's a diesel engine.It just underlines how far diesel has come in penetrating the market, especially in Europe, that even a prestige brand like Porsche now must embrace diesel, albeit at this stage only as one of the engine choices in its Cayenne four-wheel-drive wagons.The entry-level Cayenne is the V6 3.5-litre petrol unit. The diesel version is based on that trim level and, at $101,900 also sells for less than what you can buy any Porsche sports car. The V8 petrol Cayennes are $134,500 to $215,200 so this new Cayenne diesel looms as good value, considering its 550Nm of torque transferring to good performance.As we are learning, a diesel doesn't have to be a slug, especially if it's a German engine. Moving 2.3 tonnes of big 4WD from rest to 100km/h in 8.3 seconds is respectable by any measure. Porsche says it will even run out to 214km/h.The winner is the fuel economy, rated at 9.3 litres/100km, or better than 30 miles a gallon in the old money. The Cayenne's 100-litre tank promises a good touring range at these figures.The diesel engine is a three-litre V6 with variable-geometry turbocharger, giving 176kW at 4000 to 4400rpm while that 500Nm of torque comes on nice and early from 2000 to 2250rpm. If those figures sound familiar, look at the Audi engine range...The only transmission available with the diesel on Cayenne is the Tiptronic S, a six-speed that can be changed manually via rocker switches on the steering wheel. When the wagon is stopped in gear and the foot brake pressed, a clutch automatically disconnects the engine from the driveline, saving a few more drops of oily fuel.This thing is no poseur, either. It has a low-range transfer (2.7:1), decent ground clearance which can be adjusted if the optional air suspension is ordered (tp to 271mm) and the diesel model comes with sensibly sized tyres, not the low-profile jobs just about useless off bitumen as on some prestige SUVs. The transmission also has a hill-holder for smooth uphill starts.Standard is the Porsche traction management in the permanent all-wheel-drive system, distributing the torque to best advantage. It's normally set at 62 rear and 38 front until anything starts to slip.And it wouldn't be a top-brand Euro without a good stability control system, in this case one that also recognises any swaying or pendulum motion of a trailer and dabs appropriate brakes as required. A 3.5-tonne tow rate puts it among the big, tough boys, too. PORSCHE CAYENNE DIESELPrice: $101,900Engine: V6, 2967cc turbo-dieselPower: 176kW @ 4000-44000rpmTorque: 550Nm @ 2000-2250rpmEmissions: 244g/kmTransmission: Tiptronic S six-speed; all-wheel-drive; with low-range transferBrakes: All disc, six-piston calipers on front, four-piston on rearWheels/tyres: 7.5x17in; 235/65Fuel: 9.3 litres/100km; 100-litre tankDimensions: 4788mm long, 1928mm wide, 1699mm tall, 2855mm wheelbase, 218mm ground clearance, 2240kg, tows 3500kgPerformance: (claimed) 0-100km/h 8.3sec. 8-120km/h in fifth gear, 10.1sec. Top speed 214km/h On sale: In Australia, April