Porsche is set to release a more powerful version of the Cayenne Turbo Coupe and a rival to the likes of the Audi RS Q8, BMW X6 M, Mercedes-AMG GLE63 S 4Matic Coupe and Lamborghini Urus.
Set to be revealed at the end of June ahead of planned North American deliveries later this year, the new Porsche model is described as the most powerful Cayenne to feature a non-electrified powertrain yet.
It will be sold alongside the existing Cayenne Turbo Coupe as an addition to the current lineup.
Porsche is holding back on confirming the name of the luxury midsize CUV, though officials with the German automaker acknowledge the upgraded Cayenne Turbo will be sold only in Coupe body style in a move aimed at ensuring it offers the best possible combination of performance and dynamics.
“There are advantages in choosing the Coupe,” says Rico Löscher, the engineer in charge of the new Porsche CUV’s development. “It is lighter and has a slightly lower center of gravity than the SUV. Our intention is to deliver not only the most powerful but the sportiest Cayenne to date.”
The Cayenne Turbo Coupe receives a substantial makeover in the creation of the new model, including a sophisticated active aerodynamic package featuring various carbon fiber parts.
Included is a reworked front bumper featuring a more pronounced lip spoiler and larger air ducts. The Cayenne Turbo Coupe’s roof spoiler also has been reworked with new wing additions on each side, while the rear wing, which deploys from the trailing edge of the tailgate at speed, has been made larger for greater downforce. A new diffuser houses in-board tailpipes within its center tunnel.
The new Porsche also uses various parts from the Lightweight Sport package offered as optional equipment on the standard Cayenne Turbo Coupe, including a contoured carbon fiber roof panel. Porsche is yet to confirm a curb weight, though it is claimed to undercut the 4,850 lbs. (2,200 kg) of the standard model.
The existing Cayenne Turbo Coupe’s twin-turbocharged powerplant is boosted by 89 hp to give the yet-to-be-named model 631 hp. This is 39 hp more than the same engine produces in the RS Q8 but 10 hp less than it does in the Urus.
It is also 15 hp more than that offered by the twin-turbocharged 4.4L V-8 in the X6 M and 28 hp more than the twin-turbo 4.0L V-8 in the Mercedes-AMG GLE63 S 4Matic.
By comparison, the 5,589-lb. (2,535-kg) Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid’s combination of a twin-turbocharged 4.0L gasoline V-8 and electric motor delivers 670 hp.
Torque increases by 60 lb.-ft. (81 Nm) to 626 lb.-ft. (849 Nm), some 37 lb.-ft. (50 Nm) less than its gasoline-electric hybrid sibling.
Details of the engine modifications are yet to be revealed, though WardsAuto can confirm it receives a titanium exhaust system as standard.
To make the most of the added performance, Porsche has revised the software for the 8-speed torque-converter-equipped gearbox and 4-wheel-drive system – the latter receiving a more rear-biased apportioning of power. The electronic differential is altered to provide enhanced torque vectoring qualities and greater lockup.
“The idea behind the new model is to mate added performance potential with the heightened engagement and overall dynamic ability of the Cayenne GTS,” says Löscher.
No performance claims have been made at this stage, though the upgraded Cayenne Turbo Coupe is said to have established a 0-62 mph (100 km/h) inside the official 3.8 seconds of the Audi RS Q8 and 3.6 seconds of the Lamborghini Urus during recent testing.
Porsche’s new performance CUV rides on standard 22-in. forged aluminum wheels. They are shod with 285/35 ZR22 profile (front) and 315/30 ZR22 profile (rear) tires rated to a top speed of 186 mph (300 km/h).
The greater offset of the new wheels is claimed to marginally increase the track widths while providing the basis for an increase in negative camber for the front wheels.
The Cayenne Turbo Coupe’s adaptive air suspension receives a reduction in ride height together with firmer damper rates. Further changes are focused on the tuning of the electro-hydraulically operated active roll stabilization system and steering, the latter incorporating Porsche’s Power Steering Plus rear-wheel steer system.
The brakes, meanwhile, adopt the same ceramic composite discs and calipers available as an option on the standard model.
