Porsche Cayenne
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The Porsche Cayenne is an SUV automobile made by Porsche from 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. 40% of Cayenne sales are in North America.
The underpinnings of the Cayenne are shared with the VW Touareg. There are currently 4 engines available:
- 3.2 L 250 bhp (184 kW) V6 from Volkswagen
- 4.5 L 340 bhp (250 kW) V8
- 4.5 L 450 bhp (340 kW) 460 ft.lbf twin-turbocharged V8
- 4.5 L 500 bhp (370 kW) 515 ft.lbf Tequipment twin-turbocharged V8
The turbocharged model has extremely high performance for an SUV. It is faster than the company's Boxster S, and the new Tequipment special version will be faster still. Reviews indicate that the Cayenne handles remarkably well for a heavy SUV — far better than the BMW X5 — whilst having a comfortable ride. The competence however comes at a cost, with the standard model considerably more expensive than a comparably-specified BMW X5 and the turbocharged model costing a similar amount to a Mercedes-Benz S-Class limousine. The Cayenne's closest rival in cost and presteige is not a soft-roader, but the much more rugged Land Rover Range Rover. The success of the Cayenne has prompted Land Rover to develop the smaller, sportier, and less off-road capable Range Rover Sport.
In standard trim, it is unsuitable for severe off-road conditions, as the low-profile tires with thin sidewalls required to give it acceptable on-road handling are highly vulnerable to punctures by rocks and stakes.
Many Porsche enthusiasts are unhappy with the company for producing an SUV, seeing it as diluting the meaning of the brand. According to Wheels, a well-regarded Australian car magazine, the decision to develop the Cayenne was a contentious one for the company for this reason. Management reportedly felt, however, that the company needed a more dependable source of revenue than the fickle sports car market.
In May 2004, Porsche issued a recall on the Cayennes for seatbelts that do not function properly during a collison.de:Porsche Cayenne no:Porsche Cayenne