Detroit show: Porsche unveils Nurburgring SUV champ

PORSCHE has reclaimed bragging rights for the fastest lap of Nurburgring by a production SUV, circling the legendary stretch of German track in less than eight minutes in its facelifted Cayenne Turbo S.

The hot lap of 7:59.74 minutes is 14 seconds faster than the previous titleholder, Range Rover’s Sport SVR.

Presenting the facelifted Cayenne flagship at the annual North American extravaganza in Detroit, the German company said the Nurburgring performance proved that “every Porsche is a genuine sportscar”.

Porsche Cars Australia today confirmed that the new variant will arrive in local show rooms in the second quarter of this year, priced from $284,700 – a hike of $25,600 on the previous Cayenne Turbo S and a $53,900 premium over the Cayenne Turbo.

The facelifted Cayenne range was launched late last year, with the first hybrid and GTS Cayennes due in showrooms next month.

Among the enhancements for the latest Cayenne Turbo S flagship are more power and torque from the 4.8-litre bi-turbo V8 that now develops 419kW and 800Nm – a rise of 15kW and 50Nm respectively over the superseded model.

The engine is said to be more responsive, thanks to turbos integrated into the exhaust manifolds. Acceleration from zero to 100km/h is 0.4 seconds faster, at 4.1 seconds.

For improved stopping power, the Cayenne S not only gets 420mm ceramic front discs but also 10-piston callipers for the first time.

Active suspension is standard, helping to keep the Cayenne level in curves.

Handling is also aided by Porsche’s Torque Vectoring Plus that can automatically apply the brakes on the right or left wheels when entering a corner.

As well, the Turbo S gets a Traction Management all-wheel-drive system that directs most of the power and torque to the rear wheels under normal circumstances but can re-direct the drive force to the front wheels if necessary.

Standard equipment includes 21-inch wheels, full leather interior and LED headlights.

Inside, a new black and crème colour combination is offered for the first time.

Porsche Cayenne pricing*

Cayenne Diesel (a)	$104,700
Cayenne (a)	$108,000
Cayenne SE Hybrid (a)	$139,200
Cayenne S (a)	$139,900
Cayenne S Diesel (a)	$143,200
Cayenne GTS (a)	$154,600
Cayenne Turbo (a)	$230,800
Cayenne Turbo S (a)	$284,700

*Excludes on-road costs.