Was the Cayenne a mistake?

As ugly and as unnecessary as the Cayenne seems to be, it has been a sales success for Porsche. It is not overly large by SUV standards, just take a look at an MB GL450 or the Audi Q7 both much larger and selling very well. When you get to the ridiculous size of something like an Infinity QX56 or Toyota Land Cruiser, then yes I would agree, interest is waining.

I really think Porsche needs to dump the "hard core" 4wd power train and concentrate on making it more of a road going vehicle. I think it would lighten the load and improve handling without affecting (hurting)sales. I don't think many buyers are taking them to the "outback". They don't even come with the proper tires to do so. Why carry all the weight of a 4wd transfer case, locking differentials and so on. Just put a nice AWD system in it and call it good.

— Neverfollow (View Profile)

Posted on 3/8/2007 11:01:13 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 6   

hahah..thats funny

— no1listensanyway (View Profile)

Posted on 3/9/2007 2:10:42 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

The pro's and con's of the Cayenne could be debated for an eternity. While it does not interest me as much as a 911 does I still think it is a good choice for those who want space and Porsche performance, etc. The bottom line: the Cayenne has been very profitable for Porsche/Audi and VW since they all share the same platform, Porsche remains the last independant sports car maker in the world and the most profitable automaker and very clearly still focuses on it's core values. Mr. Lorenzo's commentary matches the title of his website "Auto Extremeist."

— SixxFive (View Profile)

Posted on 3/8/2007 11:20:18 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

Yes, it’s a mistake. It does not matter how “sporty” the SUV performance is, it take the same speed to roll over when it hits a curb! Enough said!

— cckw (View Profile)

Posted on 3/8/2007 11:47:38 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

It's only a mistake if there was another choice to be made. For Porsche to remain both successful and independent they needed more volume which the Cayenne has provided.

— answer (View Profile)

Posted on 3/8/2007 12:28:12 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

I see at least a half a dozen of Cayenne's everyday driving around Irvine and Newport Beach & Coast, Ca.

— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/8/2007 12:40:26 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

How did FDR/Truman handle the Kamikaze attacks during WWII.

So what's the difference between then and now, I ask you?

— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/8/2007 2:30:17 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

It's certainly not a mistake since it accounts for 40% of the company's sales!!! It has been an enormous success with nearly 150k Cayennes sold. If this profitable vehicle can help Porsche remain independant and fund further sportscar development, I am all for it!

— supermoto (View Profile)

Posted on 3/8/2007 2:25:16 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5   

The Porsche legacy is one of engineering excellence, not necessarily making sports cars. That's why Porsche has dabbled in everything from economy cars (the VW beetle) to tractors. The sport cars are only one of the ways Porsche engineering is commercialized. The Cayenne is a very well engineered vehicle that happens to be one of most profitable products.

— GS450h (View Profile)

Posted on 3/8/2007 2:34:46 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

So, maybe they should have spun off another name (ALA Lexus, Infiniti, Acura) for the "non sports-car" division of Porsche?
That might be a good idea.
What would you call Porsche trucks ??? ...... I know: Prucks! :)

— DieselRules (View Profile)

Posted on 3/9/2007 1:28:19 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Let's get one thing straight about Porsche...

Porsche is a publicly traded company - therefore a better "bottom-line" for the shareholders means chasing demand...

... and chasing demand means building an SUV.

Was the Cayenne a mistake? Of course not - look at the sales for the Cayenne vis-a-vis other Porsche models.

Shareholders don't give a sh!t about exclusivity!

— Loki123 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/8/2007 4:16:55 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

If doubling your sales a mistake then yes the Cayenne is a mistake.

— chewy (View Profile)

Posted on 3/8/2007 5:55:12 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

"It's just like the R-Class and I see dozens of them daily, but not in St. Louis where the average car is a Ford or GM and the Dodge Stratus."

EL34, SHUT UP ALREADY.

All you do is brag! Brag, brag, brag!

"Oh, you hicks in the midwest all drive Dodge Stratuses. WE are better than you because we lease Mercedes C-Classes for $70/mo."

I have a nephew who lives in Santa Monica. Guess what? I'm richer than him. It's actually possible, as hard as that is for you to believe!

— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 3/8/2007 7:57:39 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Porsche is brilliant.
Take a VW Touareg, change the bodywork very slightly (apparently not for the better) so even the doors still interchange, reducing costs. Then put in a Porsche engine, seats, and "Porsche paint" for a cost increment of ... $2k ? but jack the price $20k.
Brilliant. They're laughing all the way to the bank.

The other ones laughing are the guys driving the VW Touareg with the V-10 TDI ... fastest SUV short of the Cayenne Turbo, designed by Porsche, best gas mileage, and it will outlast all the others too.

— DieselRules (View Profile)

Posted on 3/9/2007 1:35:12 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

The Cayenne was a mistake. I dont care how much of a success it is with sales. Porsche is a sports car maker. Would Ferrari make a SUV(I know porsche is not as exotic)? No!!!

— BMW_DRVR (View Profile)

Posted on 3/9/2007 11:36:12 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

it's a mistake... me buying one was a mistake too, but they did do a good job of marketing the product here in Vancouver, they are everywhere.

— siulaba (View Profile)

Posted on 3/9/2007 2:10:43 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Irregardless of wether of not you think this SUV is/was a mistake, it is by far the most thrilling SUV I've ever driven. The ride and handling of this SUV is an engineering feat no doubt. It gives you a sense of security and comfort that the 911 lacks as well.

— eric2097 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/9/2007 4:38:43 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Yes. It's not the same as sitting in a Boxster, and I'm not overly fond of the Boxster.

There's no VW equivalent of a Boxster, and the Touerag to me actually looks better than the Cayenne.

— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/9/2007 7:08:06 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Hey,

not to beat a dead horse but I moved from St Louis about 6 years ago and can remember when a Boxster was considered an exotic car in that city by many.
Very conservative place to say the least. Not that there's little money there because there is, plenty of it. They just don't flaunt it like so many places on the coasts. There are also no exotic car dealers in St Louis. They lost the Ferrari franchise decades ago. You have to go to Springfield MO of all places if you want to service or buy a new Lamborghini. The only thing even remotely close is a new Bentley store in Chesterfield. No RR, Maybach, Lotus, Maserati, nothing. Kinda sucked being a car guy in that town. Glad I moved.

— Neverfollow (View Profile)

Posted on 3/13/2007 11:38:55 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

I love the Cayenne (looks are so-so) but I didn't buy it because it's not big enough! I have four kids.

— 993Turbo (View Profile)

Posted on 3/16/2007 5:16:15 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1