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DETROIT AUTO SHOW: 2008 Porsche Cayenne
Unveiled to the public for the first time at the North American International Auto Show, the introduction of the 2008 Porsche Cayenne marks the world debut of the more powerful second generation of Porsche’s sport utility vehicle.
As expected from Porsche, the new Cayenne not only looks more powerful, it is more powerful, with engines offering as much as 500 horsepower and with new dynamic technologies that allow the Porsche of SUVs to perform like a nimble sports car while being fully capable of carrying five people, towing a trailer and blazing over unpaved terrain and through inclement weather.
The 2008 Porsche Cayenne, Porsche Cayenne S and Porsche Cayenne Turbo were introduced at Porsche’s press conference on Monday January 8 in the Cobo Center. Also on display on the Porsche stand are the company’s other vehicles, including the all-new 2007 911® Targa® 4S, the 911 GT3 sports car, a complete display of other 911s, Caymans®, Boxsters® and the 2006 ALMS LMP2 Championship winning Porsche RS Spyder.
With a striking new face that features a dramatic new headlight design and a wide and muscular body accented by broad wheel arches, the 2008 Cayenne’s newly sculpted sheetmetal provides vivid visual testimony to the vehicle’s enhanced technical features.
Indeed, all three 2008 Porsche Cayenne models feature larger, more powerful engines, but also engines that for the first time boast direct fuel injection, a technology that enhances fuel efficiency as well as power production. For the 2008 Porsche Cayenne with its $43,400 base price ($58,900 Canadian), that engine is a 3.6-liter V6 that pumps out 290 horsepower and 283 pound-feet of torque. For the 2008 Porsche Cayenne S with its $57,900 base price ($78,500 Canadian), the engine is 4.8-liter V8 that generates 385 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. For the 2008 Porsche Cayenne Turbo with its $93,700 base price ($124,300 Canadian), the engine is a twin-turbocharged version of the 4.8-liter V8 that produces 500 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque, propelling the five-passenger SUV from a standing start to 60 miles per hour (96 km/h) in a mere 4.9 seconds on its way to a top speed on the test track of 171 mph (275 km/h). Despite such performance, the enhanced engine injection technology and improved vehicle aerodynamics have resulted in significant fuel economy improvements in Porsche’s internal pre-production testing.
But direct fuel injection is only one of the new technologies featured on the 2008 Porsche Cayenne. The second generation SUV can be equipped with optional Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control with active anti-roll bars that almost completely offset body roll in turns, improving handling, comfort and active safety on-road while providing enhanced off-pavement traction.
Also new are Dynamic Curve Lights (standard on the Cayenne Turbo and optional on the other models) that improve the driver’s view while driving on winding roads at night. Standard equipment on the 2008 Cayenne includes Porsche Stability Management (PSM®), now with such new functions as pre-loading of the braking system when needed, new Trailer Stability Control, and off-road anti-lock breaking system (ABS).
For the first time, the Cayennes come with a rollover sensor able to trigger both the belt latch tensioners and curtain airbags in an emergency, thus helping to reduce the risk of injury for all occupants in a rollover. In conjunction with the Cayenne’s six standard airbags, this system gives Porsche's SUV a benchmark occupant safety and protection system.
Other new features include a standard and push-button Sports mode for all Cayenne engines, a standard power rear lift gate, optional of 21-inch wheels, a rail-mounted cargo management system, and XM satellite radio.