Porsche has unleashed the most hard-core SUV in its history, the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S – a $294,000 luxury 4WD that promises to combine luxurious comfort with off-road ability and sports car performance.
Under the bonnet of the new Cayenne Turbo S sits the same engine as the one found in the $440,200 Porsche Panamera Turbo S.
The twin-turbocharged 4.8-litre V8 petrol powerplant produces 405kW of power and 750Nm of torque, which represents a 37kW/50Nm boost over the existing $248,600 Cayenne Turbo.
The more potent engine helps propel the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S from 0-100km/h in 4.5 seconds (two-tenths quicker than the Turbo) and on to a top speed of 283km/h (up 5km/h), yet its combined cycle fuel consumption remains on par at 11.5 litres per 100km.
The Cayenne Turbo S inherits the Porsche Active Suspension Management dampening control and air suspension combination from the Turbo, and adds Dynamic Chassis Control in an attempt to reduce roll through corners and enhance agility and ride comfort.
Porsche’s Torque Vectoring Plus, which operates torque vectoring at the rear wheels together with an electronically controlled differential lock for improved traction, is standard, along with the Sport Chrono package.
The air inlet screens, headlight lenses and parts of the mirrors are finished in high-gloss black, matching some interior surfaces, while the 21-inch 911 Turbo II alloy wheels are exclusive to the Cayenne Turbo S.
Also unique to the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S is a bi-colour leather package, which is available in either Black/Carrera Red or Black/Luxor Beige combinations.
Carbonfibre trim inserts contrast the extravagant upholstery and complete the Turbo S package.
The Porsche Cayenne Turbo S will arrive in Australia in February, two months ahead of the 281kW/850Nm Cayenne S Diesel.