Porsche finally lifted the sheets off the Cayenne Turbo GT, the company’s fastest SUV to this day.
Coming from Porsche, the GT badge is more than just a moniker, setting expectations sky-high. As expected, the German automaker seems to have thought everything through, coming up with a mind-bogglingly quick SUV that will put many sports cars to shame.
A revamped version of the twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine has done the trick for Porsche. The company thoroughly redesigned several critical components of the massive engine, such as the crankshaft, pistons, connecting rods, and torsional dampers to deliver a 90-horsepower boost over the standard Cayenne Turbo. Indeed, the new Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT now generates a maximum power of 631 hp and up to 626 lb-ft of torque, not bad, right?
The overhauled engine does not go in vain as the new GT SUV is unbelievably fast, running to 60 mph from a flat 0 in a jaw-dropping 3.1 seconds. The quarter-mile sprint time of 11.6 is particularly impressive, especially for an SUV, and a top speed of 186 mph makes the Turbo GT the quickest and fastest Cayenne ever to roll out of Porsche.
The power is distributed to all four wheels through an eight-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission. Porsche incorporated quite a few modifications in the system to offer quicker shift times and better shifting dynamics. At the same time, a water-cooled transfer case makes the drivetrain more resistant to higher temperatures and increased load conditions.
The sporty SUV rides on 22-inch Neodyme wheels in a brilliant shade of gold. The Turbo GT sits 0.7 inches lower than the standard variant, ensuring excellent maneuverability and control. Wrapping up the wheels with Pirelli P Zero Corsa high-performance tires further improves handling by maximizing traction.
The three-chamber air suspension system offers up to 15% more stiffness depending on the selected driving mode, and technologies like active suspension management, dynamic chassis control, and torque vectoring are carefully calibrated and modified to aid during high-speed cornering. The lack of a central silencer and a lightweight, heat-resistant titanium exhaust reduces the weight of the SUV by 40 lb, all while offering a beautiful V8 soundtrack.
The new Arctic Grey is particularly eye-catching, as Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT offers a perfect blend of sporty and classy looks when clad in this shade. The interior stays true to the GT theme, with a mix of Alcantara and leather and a steering wheel with the 12 o’clock yellow marker. The Turbo GT also became the first Cayenne to adopt the Porsche Communication Management, with heightened usability and functionality. Unfortunately, we really expected to see Porsche’s ‘Soundtrack my Life’ personalized playlist in the new Cayenne Turbo GT, but it seems that we’ll have to wait a little longer.
If you have $180,800 to spend on an all-encompassing performance-oriented SUV, Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT might very well be your best bet. However, keep in mind that it’s only due to reach US dealerships in early 2022, and you’ll need to cough up an additional $1,350 as delivery, processing, and handling fees.
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