DESCRIPTION

Pros:

• Agile handling performance
• Improved performance and exterior styling over the outgoing model
• Dual personalities for spirited driving or off-road play
• World-class interior that that abounds in luxury features

Cons:

• Options are expensive
• 2nd row comfort is equivalent to economy class
• Cargo capacity is limited to a few large suitcases

The second generation 2011 Porsche Cayenne is all new after the first generation launched seven years ago in the United States. The 2011 Porsche Cayenne has a new exterior design that appears sleeker and smaller but it is really larger than the previous model. The spacious interior is functional and surrounds its occupants in high quality luxury. Compared to the previous Cayenne models, the 2011 Cayenne is nearly 400 pounds lighter and has a stiffer body structure.

New for the 2011 is the active all-wheel drive system that can be paired with the Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) Plus option to provide agile on -road driving dynamics and adept off-road capabilities. New safety systems such as the Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS), Lane Change Assistant (LCA), and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) are available as options. Plus, there are new high-end audio systems from Bose and Burmester.

Porsche offers four models to North America customers: the 2011 Cayenne, Cayenne S, Cayenne Turbo, and Cayenne S Hybrid. The entry level Cayenne has a 300-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 engine and is 20% more fuel efficient than the outgoing model. 0-60 times are 7.1 seconds with the 6-speed manual and 7.4 seconds with the 8-speed Tiptronic transmission.

The Cayenne S brings on the torque with its 400-horsepower 4.8 liter V8 engine that cranks out maximum torque of 369 lb-ft at 3500 rpm. It can reach 60 mph from a standstill in just 5.6 seconds and has a top track speed of 160 mph.

EPA fuel economy numbers for the Cayenne S is 16 mpg city and 22 mpg highway. The base Cayenne is rated at 16 mpg city and 23 mpg highway when equipped with the 8-speed Tiptronic gearbox.

The Cayenne Turbo has a range topping 500-horsepower, twin-turbocharged, 4.8-liter V8 that is 23 percent more fuel efficient than its predecessor. The Cayenne Turbo can go from 0 - 60 mph in 4.4 seconds with a top track speed of 172 mph. EPA fuel economy figures for the Cayenne Turbo are 15 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway.

For the U.S. market, all Cayenne models include Bluetooth telephone connectivity and the universal audio interface to connect an external audio source such as an iPod or a USB stick with the Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system as standard equipment.