Besides using the skills of a great director like Jeff Zwart, these highly customized Cayennes play a big role. I know these “Pursuit” Porsches have been around for a while, in fact I remember seeing them used in the making of the Porsche Panamera commercial, but I don’t remember seeing the video below before.
Pursuit Systems, the company that makes these camera vehicles, has some other fairly unique toys in their garage besides the Cayenne Turbo. Check out this modified off-road buggy below.
I don’t know about you, but I’m thinking the buggy would make a great addition to our garage (seeing as how we already have a Cayenne)!
As part of Porsches push to promote the all new 2011 Cayenne, the marketing team has come up with a creative keepsake to give away in limited numbers. According to the Porsche web-site, they’ve chopped up 60 meters of guardrail from the the historic Leipzig test track (birthplace of the new Cayenne) and “repurposed” it into a unique and “personal keepsake”.
It’s actually a pretty cool plaque that shows the Porsche Liepzig track layout with a piece of the guardrail mounted on the top. If you want one, you better hurry as word is getting out and there are only a limited number to go around!!! We signed up for ours so we thought it safe to let you know about it.
Turns out the Cayenne likes to surprise people. It looks like an SUV, but it sure doesn’t drive like your average SUV. It looks like a big car, but it corners like a sports car. It may seem heavy, but it doesn’t behave as if it is, and because of those beautiful brakes, it sure doesn’t stop that way. And just when you start believing it’s a fancy vehicle meant to transport your kids and dog in style along serene suburban roads (it is), it goes and proves you wrong yet again by getting dirty and liking it.
There is nothing wrong (in fact, it’s very right) with selecting luxuries such as the Burmester Audio Package so you can cruise Collins Avenue in Miami Beach jamming in style, particularly since you can also use said feature while climbing what feels like a vertical wall or traversing water that nearly reaches to your passenger’s window. We know this because we drive the Cayenne in quite inhospitable terrain including rocks, dirt, mud, and sand. And you know what? The Cayenne likes it. In fact, the Cayenne is quite like my dream woman: elegant, detail-oriented, and—most importantly—equally at ease at a dinner party or camping trip.
I have to admit I have a hard time picturing the Cayenne in off-road situations. The fact is, I generally see Cayennes used in everyday driving—hardly an off-road challenge. The most utilitarian challenge I see a Cayenne undertake involves acting as a tow vehicle for a 911 on the way to the track; a role it plays beautifully and reliably.
Never mind that Porsche Cayennes secured top-three finishes in the beyond-demanding Transsyberia Rallye, dominating the field in 2007-8. If you had asked me prior to this year whether you should go off-road with your Cayenne, I would have probably said, “hmmm, why?” I am far from a clean-car fanatic who refuses to drive my Porsche on dirt roads or when it rains, but if I had spent a bundle on a Cayenne, I probably would have reservations about subjecting the vehicle to dirt, rocks, etc. let alone using it in a manner where something like what happened below is a possibility (fair warning, the video below has some moderate adult language. I think you’ll find it more than reasonable given the circumstances).
Porsche’s own Laurance Yap co-drove a Cayenne in the 2007 Transyberria Rallye (and, due to erroneous coordinates, experienced a massive crash in the desert. As seen in the video above) “Needless to say, walking away from the huge accident (the engine was about 100 feet from where the car landed) left me with a deep appreciation of the integrity of the car,” said Yap. But beyond the impeccable safety, he says, he was impressed by the Cayenne’s practicality and comfort. “It was about as comfortable a rally car as you could ever hope for, with adjustable air suspension, decent ride quality and even a/c!”
So, how did I end up driving a Cayenne in the most inhospitable of situations? The guys from Porsche made me do it! Who can say no to being presented with a new 2011 Cayenne and encouragement to the tune of, “take it; go see what it can do!” And, most importantly, what can render the heart lighter than, “it’s insured, don’t worry!” Nothing, that’s what. It was time to get some mud on that Classic Silver Metallic Paint and brake dust on those pretty yellow calipers.
The Perfect Opportunity to get Dirty
At Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, home of the Porsche Sports Driving School, the Porsche folks have worked with owner George Barber to design a challenging course to showcase the Cayenne’s off-road prowess. The course, a path carved in the Alabama wilderness, takes the driver through varying terrains, dramatic ascents and descents, narrow passes, trees, mud, water and rocks.
Maybe Porsche Sport Driving School instructor Danny Eastman’s request (delivered with a big smile and Portuguese accent) that we keep a distance of four car lengths on the route “just in case the soil and rocks were loose” should have tipped me off that the course is far more challenging that one would expect.
Soon we’re off on the course, traversing incredible climbs that are possible thanks to a short front over-hang, a low center of gravity and well developed all-wheel drive.
If Daniel hadn’t driven ahead of me in another Cayenne, demonstrating the challenges could easily be completed, I would have never ventured through the route. The most impressive challenge was a descent I’m not sure I would have been able to complete on foot, but the Cayenne easily made it down.
So what’s Going on Under the Hood?
Your Cayenne may be comfortably driving you around town to-and-from the office, or aptly handling the transportation of perennials between Home Depot and home, but it’s quietly hoping you’ll take it out to play in the outdoors. The same car that is engineered to be a sophisticated and elegant vehicle is made to take on various outdoor challenges. Just how does it do it?
The new generation Cayenne has a much more sophisticated all-wheel drive and stability management system than its predecessor. This improvement translates to 3 distinct off-road modes:
Gen 2 Cayenne ride height can be adjusted by the flick of a switch, see how vehicle sits up high for trail clearance
Off Road 1 changes the Cayenne’s ride height, the shock setting and the drivetrain. This setting works best for light off-road duty on varying terrain that perhaps requires a little more vehicle clearance
One more click to Off Road 2 and the transmission goes into a low-gear type of setting to allow for more vehicle control. At the Barber course, Off Road 2 worked best when we needed to climb over gentle hills and deep rutted two track trails.
The most extreme of the three settings, Off Road 3, adds locking the rear differential to the changes in settings 1 and 2. When it is time to challenge the big climbs and the scary descents this setting proved to be a good choice, affording the driver the most control.
Talk about a Porsche that can do it all. After completing the course at Barber, I spend a few moments chatting with Danny about the Cayenne. We laugh about the fact that we could just run it through the car wash, take some of the mud, sand and rocks off, and climb back inside to head to dinner and the opera. The next time you feel the call of the wild, or plan a camping trip or off-road adventure, but wonder if your Porsche Cayenne can handle it, rest assured the answer is a resounding, yes. Yes, she can!
The Porsche 918 Spyder Hybrid made its driving debut on a closed road in Monterey California, just days prior to its appearance at the 2010 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
After being shipped over from Germany by plane, engineers handed the keys of the new 918 Spyder Hybrid to Porsche AG Design Chief Michael Mauer. The car drove under its own power, which comes from the mid mounted 3.4 liter V8 out of the RS Spyder as well as an all electric mode which powers just the front wheels. The video below was created for Porsche by our friend J.F. Musial at Tangent Vector. Watch and enjoy (if you’re viewing this via email, you may need to click the title of the post to see the video, trust me, it’s worth it!).
In this instance, size does not matter. Big or small, Cayenne or 911 Coupe, your Porsche can benefit from a bra. No, I’m not talking about the old school, Don Johnson era, leather/vinyl cover-ups. I’m talking about the new, clear, “invisible” bra products.
We’ve always been aware of the “invisible” bras. In fact, John’s 993 C4S has it applied on the rear fender wells (as stone guards) and a few other strategic locations to protect against rock chips. However, we weren’t really familiar with the ins and out of the product, or how it is installed, until we bought my new Cayenne and decided with all of our road trips (Florida to Maine and back every year and then some) that we best do what we can to protect the paint on my “Pepper” to keep it looking new (not to mention those costly Xenon headlight assemblies).
After some research on the web we found out that there are a few different products available for Porsche owners. We decide on the 3M Super Shield (please note, this is not a paid post for 3M, it just happens to be the product we choose) for four major reasons:
1. It is our understanding that the 3M template for our Cayenne has the fewest pieces (meaning fewer possible chances at any lines being visible).
2. 3M’s newer film allows for UV light to pass through (meaning paint under the bra will have the same sun exposure as areas that are not covered).
3. We like 3M’s warranty and what the research shows about lack of yellowing from the 3M films. Some other films are known to yellow over time (some shorter than others). That’s not to say the 3M won’t ever yellow, but it seems like it is less likely given what we’ve read.
4. Perhaps, most importantly, the installer – Pepe Feliu (the co-owner of Auto Super Shield in Boca Raton) comes as highly recommended as anyone could. Over the span of three days we speak with as many as 20 Porsche owners in Southern Florida who had their invisible bras installed by Pepe (including the local PCA club) and they all have nothing but good things to say (here’s but one of the many threads on Rennlist about Pepe). To top it off, most of the major hi-end sport and luxury brand dealers in the area outsource their installations to Pepe and his crew.
After watching our installation, and it’s complexity, it becomes pretty clear that the key to a good experience is the right installer. If you live in Southern Florida call Pepe’s wife Wendy (she runs the front of the shop) and they will treat you right!! (We are so impressed with their work, that we end up working out a deal for PorschePurist.com’s readers. Simply let Wendy know you heard about their work on our site and they’ll give you a 20% discount off the cost of the kit – depending on your Porsche this can be a significant savings; They offer the same discount for local PCA clubs as well. More on this later).
Introductions and Installation Time
We arrive at Auto Super Shield not knowing quite what to expect, only that our installation will take at least four hours (we go way over that, but that’s because I didn’t stop asking questions and ended up getting much more work done than originally planned) and Wendy and Pepe agree to let me stay and document the whole process for PorschePurist’s readers (thanks Wendy!!).
Immediately upon arrival, it’s pretty clear that the recommendations for Pepe and his work are spot on. Not only is the shop clean and well lit, but almost every square inch of wall space in the waiting room is covered with pictures of Porsches, Ferraris, Bugatis, Lambos and any other exotic car manufacture you could think of. These are all photos of cars that Pepe has installed clear bras, window tinting or some other form of paint protection. It kind of gives you that same feeling you get when walking into a new doctor’s office and see all the degrees from well known Ivy league schools. You know in some ways they are just props, but it gives you the warm fuzzy feeling that you came to the right place and what you need done will be done right.
Clear Bra Installation Process
After completing introductions, Pepe pulls my Cayenne out back to give it a thorough wash in order to make sure it is clean and, more importantly, to strip any wax from the areas where he is going to install the 3M film (like most things, prep is key to a good finished product). After finishing the wash down my Cayenne is pulled into the shop from the rear bay.
As I enter the work-shop my eyes are immediately drawn to a Ferrari 599 delivered by a local dealer for a rush job. Apparently, the Ferrari was just sold yesterday and the new owner wants the car covered from stem to stern with the Supershield product (including all the glass) and wants the tinting replaced with something a bit darker. At this point, any remaining doubts, that there might be a better installer in the area, abruptly leave me. I know I’m in the right place.
With my Cayenne in the installation bay and raised up for easy access, Pepe moves to the shop computer where he calls up the proper pattern for my Cayenne. A few minutes later, the large commercial printer is cutting the film to order and placing it all on a roll that Pepe will use for installation. My first thought is that the clear film is adhesive and will stick to the paint like tape. Fortunately, I’m completely wrong.
How the invisible bra is applied
The 3M Paint Protection film has a paper backing that is first removed to expose the adhesive under the backing. It is then sprayed with a solvent composed of 25% alcohol, and 75% water (this explains the spray bottle on Pepe’s tool belt).
The 3M Paint Protection film is then moistened, positioned in place, and squeegeed to the surface of the vehicle in order to remove any air pockets. If there is any excess moisture remaining after installation, a few days in the sun will remove it and allow the film to cure properly.
Initially, I choose to have the front bumper (including 1/3 of the hood) and side view mirrors covered. However, after talking with Pepe for a few minutes we decide to add the film to the headlights too. Even though the additional work adds a slight bump to the cost, the extra expense is more than worth it considering the 3M film can withstand a direct hit from a small pebble up to 120 mph. What this means is that my very, very expensive headlamp assemblies are well protected from stray stones and rocks while commuting (imagine the benefits on the track).
Proper Installation is the Most Important Ingredient
As Pepe continues his installation, I’m amazed by the attention to detail. Proper installation requires good lighting, good tools, a clean work environment and a very steady hand. The placement of the film on the body of the Cayenne is as important as taking the time to ensure all trapped air is completely squeegeed out from under.
Have Clear Bra. Will Travel!
Pepe talks with me while he works and it’s clear he enjoys what he does. Not only does he work in his shop, he will frequently set up road trips at the request of local car clubs. In fact, he recently did a weekend with one of the local Florida PCA regions. In this instance, the region’s members got together to form a type of “group buy”. Here’s how it works:
1. Someone from the region acts as a liaison for their group.
2. Group members express interest and supply information about their particular model Porsche.
3. A quote is provided (including a 20% discount on materials) and a final commitment is given by the group.
4. A clean garage with good lighting is located (the space is usually donated by a local member or possibly even a local sponsor of the PCA).
5. Pepe and his crew cut all the templates (along with spares) at their shop in Boca and then travel to do the installs.
While Pepe didn’t give a minimum number of cars he likes to have lined up before he travels, it seems pretty clear he likes to stay busy. My guess, depending on distance, is that he wants at least six to eight cars so that he can work straight through the weekend.
As Pepe is finishing my hood, I look back to see window tinting being applied to the Ferrari. My Cayenne came stock from the factory with tint on the rear windows but nothing on front. As John and I are now spending almost five months a year in Florida I decide to have Pepe match the factory tinting for my front windows. That Florida sun can get pretty hot in the afternoon. Pepe immediately notices my MA plates and quickly looks up the maximum percentage of tint allowed in Massachusetts (he doesn’t want me getting any tickets for having my windows too dark).
The window tint is applied in a similar manner as the invisible bra. The biggest difference being that the template is created right there on the window of the car and then trimmed as applied. As Pepe’s brother (part of his crew) works on the window tinting I talk with him about the 3M film. It turns out the film works so good at stopping stone chips and scratches that both he and his brother have applied it to their iPhones. Even after hard drops, the evidence of which is clearly seen by bashed corners and gouges in the plastic, the glass on their iPhones is still intact. If only I had come a week earlier, maybe I wouldn’t have to stare through a spiderweb to see my own email. Anyway, back to the work in progress.
You may remember that shortly after purchasing the Cayenne I installed a Thule roof rack and cargo box. It suddenly occurs to me that maybe I should install a strip of the invisible bra product above my doors, right under the cargo box. This way, when I pull things down from the rack, they won’t scratch the hell out of my paint (this was a big problem on my last truck). Pepe say, no problem! He simply measures the distance and the computer cuts a new piece to fit.
At this point, I’ve covered the bumper, almost 1/2 the hood, the headlights and fog lights, had the windows tinted and added extra paint protection above the doors to avoid scratches from cargo going in and out of my roof top box. I think I’m done. I take one last walk around the Cayenne and notice there is a strip of paint between the rear cargo area and the plastic trim on the edge of the bumper. This painted area is exactly where my 125 lb Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Scout, (that’s him up above testing the strength of the tailgate on our Jeep) likes to step as he enters and exits his Cayenne. Hmmm, maybe I should cover that too? I know he’s going to scratch it within days.
I begin to realize that maybe it wasn’t such a good idea for me to have stuck around for the install. I’ve almost doubled the size of the original job. Protecting your paint is addictive.
The funny thing is, throughout the entire process, no-one tried to sell me on anything. All the additional work was requested by me as I thought of how many things could get scratched. I now understand why some people “wrap” their entire car. Think about it. Depending on your car, for a few thousand dollars, you can have the entire car cocooned in a protective coating that will keep your car looking like new now matter what kind of hell you put it through. Not a bad choice for a super expensive Porsche (Carrera GT, Turbo S, GT3s, etc.) and other hi-end sports and luxury cars. Heck, if you’re even thinking of tracking your car you should, at the very least, get the headlights and front bumper done.
At the end of the day, your Porsche may not need a bra, but for a very limited expense (call it $700 and up) you can really protect your Porsche and its paint. Remember Mike from the PCA Parade? That’s his 911 above (he drove it to the Parade from Alaska). While I commend him on his ingenuity and creativeness a clear bra is a much easier application and it lasts a lot longer!!!
If you are thinking about getting a clear bra installed on your Porsche and you are anywhere in southern Florida (or even within a 3 to 5 hour driving range) you should consider using Pepe at Auto Super Shield to have your work done. Not only will they do a perfect job, but as I mentioned earlier, they will give PorschePurist reader’s and PCA members a 20% discount on material costs. Don’t forget, if you live far away, but have a group of other Porsche owners that want installations, you just might be able to get Pepe and his crew to travel to you!!
As a long-time Porsche enthusiast, I’ve been asked to name my favorite Porsche more than once. My answer is usually the same: one of the Brumos 59s, the Martini-liveried 917, the Mobil 1 GT1, a 993 RS or a 997 GT3. But how about a 2011 Cayenne?
I know some of the more hardcore Porsche devotees have mixed feelings about the Cayenne. Our own LifeStyle editor has been known to say, “whenever I see one, the driver is on the phone, or—even worse—parked over two spaces at the local Whole Foods!” But when we prod further, she reveals she enjoyed driving her loaner Cayenne around town, and found the car “very un-SUV-like.” Still, how on earth can I put the Cayenne in the company of the sports cars above? Stick with me for a minute here and you’ll get a better idea.
Whether the “Porsche Purists” like it or not, the Cayenne is now the single best selling Porsche of all time. Porsche has sold 280,000 Cayennes worldwide, 90,000 of which went home to American consumers, and Porsche has already received 16,000 orders for the second generation Cayenne.
Before the Cayenne came about, the pool of Porsche models to choose from was fairly shallow. While not a problem for bonafide Porsche lovers (die-hards could still get a 911 and that’s all that mattered), financial challenges were hampering what the company could do and hamstringing progress. Then came the Cayenne. After the automotive world cleaned the spittle off their shirts, it was time for really cool things to come down the line.
The first generation Cayenne was a great achievement on many levels. If you lived in a four-season climate, needed to transport 4 people, had kids, had a dog or any other scenario where the 911 just wasn’t gonna cut it, the Cayenne opened doors and liberated you from more mundane SUV choices (or, horror of all horrors, a minivan). Soon after the appearance of the Cayenne, I saw numerous Porsche owners towing their 911s to the track using this newest Porsche to do so. This multi-purpose, water cooled, front engine, all-wheel drive Cayenne may not have made sense to many, but it was one of the best decisions Porsche ever made. And it translated into more Porsches for the Purists.
So do we owe the current Porsche lineup to the Cayenne? “When I joined the company in 1999, we had no Targa, no Boxster S, and of course no Cayman,” said Gary Fong, Product Communications Manager for Porsche Cars North America (PCNA). “The Cayenne didn’t pay for all of that but selling over 250,000 of them worldwide didn’t hurt,” he adds. We think its safe to assume that the Cayman and GT3 exist, in big part because of the Cayenne, and Porsche has the ability to go prototype racing again.
So now, nearly 8 years later, the Cayenne is here to stay. The second generation of the most race-car like SUV has just been introduced at Barber Motorsports Park. Perhaps the most anticipated introduction to the 2011 Cayenne lineup is the hybrid model (I’m looking at the only two in the country as I draft this review). Although the Cayenne lineup already seemed quite complete, Porsche felt compelled to mind the environment and conform with CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) while delivering vehicles that really perform. To that end, they have introduced two hybrid models: the very limited production GT3 R Hybrid race-car (an astounding piece of engineering which made its track debut this year) and, for the rest of us, the Cayenne (read on for more about the Cayenne Hybrid).
The Porsche Cayenne Grows Up
Admittedly, it was time for the Cayenne to get a facelift. The goals for the second generation of the Cayenne were simple, said Dr. Martin Bratzler, (Project Manger Marketing and Sales Product Line, Cayenne): to be the best in class in road performance, to reduce fuel consumption significantly, and to provide more space, variability and everyday usability to the driver.
As I get behind the wheel of the new Cayenne at Barber it’s quite apparent Porsche was successful in meeting their goals. The second generation Cayenne lineup boasts impressive numbers. The entire Cayenne lineup is lighter than its predecessors, and power across the model line is up: 300hp in the base model, 400 hp in the Cayenne S, 500 hp in the Turbo, and 380 hp for the V6 Hybrid. As far as reducing fuel consumption, success again: the new Cayennes consume nearly 23% less fuel than their predecessors and CO2 emissions are down by up to 26% (depending on the model).
Porsche is known for its cutting-edge technology, and the Cayenne has definitely benefited from this. Some of the benefits reaped include the Cayenne’s 8-speed Tiptronic S gearbox, which delivers a 20% mpg fuel efficiency increase; auto-start/stop which allows the engine to shut off completely while at rest and re-starts it almost imperceptibly; and engine management/drivetrain chassis/suspension re-engineered for efficiency.
Trying all the Cayenne Flavors
When I first set eyes on the latest generation Cayenne, it looks a little smaller, more sleek and agile. In reality, the second generation is actually 2” longer, which goes to show Porsche is still superbly able when it comes to design. The sleek new lines of the Cayenne bring harmony to the entire Porsche lineup, from the headlights and LED running lights to the “V”-shaped hood (also evident in its sister, the Panamera). But the beauty of the Cayenne goes beyond skin-deep: If you think this baby is all beauty and no brawn you are sorely mistaken.
Cayenne Turbo
The first Cayenne I try is the Turbo. The rear brakes clue me in to what lies beneath this SUV. In the front are huge, six-piston calipers with extra large, pizza pie-sized, two piece 15.35” rotors; the rears display magnificent 14” rotors and hat with four-piston calipers. Inside, too, there is the perfect marriage of comfort and sport: details like the aluminum scripted door sills invite you to an incredibly well-bolstered seat that is pure comfort for my shoulders, waist and lower back. As in the Panamera, the raised center console brings the driver and co pilot down into the cockpit, creating a connection with the car.
My first drive in city traffic and highways shows the Cayenne is a sporty yet civilized ride with very little road noise and a very deep, throaty roar from the 500 ponies. Thankfully the throttle can be easily modulated so as not to stir Alabama’s finest, rendering the Cayenne a fine commuter vehicle.
On track at Barber Motorsports, the Cayenne turns in crisply, holding the line as if honed in on the apex. Encouraged, I squeeze the 4.8L turbo charged V8 throttle and unleash the 516 lb ft of torque thrusting me (along with David Donohue and three members of the press corps) back into the seats past the track out in turn 3. The Cayenne’s balance is really impressive, it transitions nicely, and the weight transfer whether braking or cornering feels very smooth and relatively flat.
The Cayenne Turbo performs unlike most street cars–let alone SUVs. One of the reasons is that the 2011 Cayenne has Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV). PTV works by slowing the inside wheel, allowing the outer wheel to turn more (thus turning in better), then locks the rear differential to provide maximum push out of the corner. Magic, indeed.
Cayenne Hybrid
The standard V6 Cayenne (your only choice if you want a manual Cayenne in the U.S.) now has 300 hp and 295 lb ft of torque and weighs in just under 4400lbs. Its even more eco-friendly counterpart, the V6 Cayenne Hybrid, combines a 90 degree 3.0L 333hp V6 with a 47 hp electric motor for a combined 380 hp and an impressive 427 lb ft of torque. The Hybrid captures kinetic energy from its braking system and stores it in lithium-ion batteries. Porsche places the batteries (which are designed to last the life of the vehicle) low in the trunk area to retain as much usable storage space possible and achieve near 50/50 weight distribution. Although the batteries are heavy (380 lbs) the new generation Cayennes are so much lighter than in the past the hybrid remains very manageable.
You may have heard of hybrid SUVs before, but have you heard of one that can accelerate from 0-100kph in 4.8 seconds? While the Cayenne Hybrid normally accelerates to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds, put it in “boost mode” – where the electric motor and gas powered engine combine – and acceleration is now in high-end sports car territory.
If you want to be truly amazed, let someone else drive the new Cayenne Hybrid, sit in the passenger seat, and listen. Hear that? Me neither. This Cayenne can drive solely on batteries (up to 37 mph) in an eerie silent “E” mode. The moment you ask for acceleration the V6 fires up and seamlessly integrates with the driveline. The Cayenne’s ability to “Sail” (no driveline engaged at all), recoup power to the batteries, send power to the wheel from the batteries or combined with the combustion motor–without you ever knowing—is testament to Porsche’s engineering success.
The only fault I find with the Hybrid is that I’m distracted by how good it is. I find myself constantly checking one of two displays showing me where power is going to or coming from. As if that isn’t enough, there is the active cruise control to entertain me: it’s incredibly cool to set the speed and the distance to the next vehicle and let the Porsche safely negotiate the ebb and flow of traffic. I am glad they put so much technology into these vehicles, right down to the BOSE or sublime Burmester audio sound system.
Making Cayenne Choices
With so many choices, how do you pick a Cayenne “family favorite”? If you’re fortunate enough, buy one of each. For the the rest of you I suggest making a list of what matters most to you and your co-pilot. Is it comfort, fuel economy, acceleration? Start by spending the day at your local Porsche dealer and test driving each one. In this case, you can bring your partner, kids and dog, and pass it off as a family activity! Buyer beware! With everything the Cayenne line-up has to offer, it’s a difficult choice to make.
Only ten months after the start of worldwide sales, Porsche AG’s Leipzig factory has already built the 25,000th Panamera.
The milestone vehicle, a ruby-red Panamera with an efficient 3.6-litre, 300-horsepower six-cylinder engine, will be delivered to a customer in the USA.
“The benchmark performance of our Panamera V6 models wins over our customers worldwide,” said Porsche Executive Vice President for Sales and Marketing, Bernhard Maier. “Even in the USA, a country with a preference for V8 engines, they impress with their efficiency and sportiness. The 4-door combines these aspects with the comfort and exclusivity of the luxury class,”
The Panamera has been on sale globally since September 2009, initially with the 8-cylinder Panamera S, Panamera 4S and Panamera Turbo. Since May 2010, the Panamera and Panamera 4 have supplemented the product range with their V6 engines.
In addition to the Panamera, the sporty, all-terrain Cayenne is also being produced in the same facility in the State of Saxony.