By Otsile Kadiege

Porsche rounds off the Cayenne model range with the new Cayenne Turbo GT Coupé. The Turbo GT boasts a unique exterior design, sporty interior, the brand’s powerful V8 engine with a quick-shifting transmission, a sports exhaust system as well as other mechanical upgrades. Porsche claims the Cayenne Turbo GT will deliver outstanding driving dynamics with a high degree of everyday usability.

Sporty exterior

Outside, the new Cayenne Turbo GT features GT-specific front apron with striking spoiler lip and enlarged side cooling air intakes. A contoured carbon roof and black wheel arch extensions, together with 22-inch GT Design wheels in Neodyme wrapped with Pirelli P Zero Corsa performance tyres, 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.

Customers can opt for the new Arctic Grey paintwork.

Sporty interior with new technology

Inside, the most potent Cayenne Coupé has high-quality standard equipment and extended Alcantara features. Eight-way sport seats in the front and a sport rear seat system with two seats are standard. They each have GT-specific 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.

The Cayenne Turbo GT gets Porsche’s the next-generation Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system with improved performance, a new user interface and new operating logic. The infotainment system is compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

Performance

The new Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT is powered by a 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8 petrol engine delivering a whooping 471 kW and 850 Nm. The Turbo GT’s engine is paired with the automaker’s faster-shifting eight-speed Tiptronic S and the modified Porsche Traction Management (PTM) system. This helps propel the Turbo GT from 0-100 km/h in 3.3 seconds. It has a top speed of 300 km/h.

Compared to the Cayenne Turbo Coupé, the Turbo GT rides up to 17 mm 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. 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, these components have been designed for higher peak loads and improved driving dynamics.

As a result of the performance upgrades, the Turbo GT lapped the famous Nürburgring Nordschleife in 7:38.9 minutes in the hands of Porsche test driver Lars Kern, setting a new official SUV record.

Pricing

The Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT is priced at R3,350,000