The New Porsche Cayenne GTS: Uncompromised Performance & Technical Suave

If there is a car company that has the expertise in making fast cars that are both desirable and technically sound, Porsche would likely lead the board. Known more popularly for its sports cars like the 718 series and the incredible 911, this Stuttgart-based automaker is unarguably one of the best in the business.

While almost every other niche brand offers a high-performance sports SUV now, making the Porsche Cayenne seem like an old concept. However, apart from the BMW X5, the Cayenne opened the can of worms that many of us see today as high-riding luxury SUVs that are camouflaged as sports cars.

Porsche received a lot of flak from brand loyalists and auto journalists when it was introduced in 2002. How could a pedigree name like Porsche even consider developing an SUV? That was the question many asked, before ridiculing the Cayenne. However, it would be Porsche that would have the last laugh – the Cayenne went on to sell incredibly well!

Just like other models in its fancy catalog, there are two models of the Cayenne, which includes the Porsche Cayenne Coupe. The standard model of the Cayenne comes in many variants as well, though we will be looking closely at the new Porsche Cayenne GTS. The GTS, or ‘Gran Turismo Sport,’ is a tag that Porsche doesn’t take lightly. Let’s see why that’s the case.

Porsche Cayenne GTS performance: German-engineered V8 fury

There are several ‘GTS’ cars in the market that are equipped with a six-cylinder engine. While this may help in achieving higher fuel economy and reducing emissions, it usually comes at the cost of lackluster engine sound and driver involvement. Thankfully, none of that is true for the new Porsche Cayenne GTS.

Sticking to its guns, Porsche has endowed the new Cayenne GTS with its fabulous twin-turbo V8, which is manufactured at the brand’s state-of-the-art Zuffenhausen facility in Stuttgart. The 4.0-liter engine has been thoroughly revised, with Porsche engineers managing to massage an additional 39 horsepower and 40 Nm of torque over the old car.

The new Porsche Cayenne GTS now produces a maximum output of 493 hp at 6,000 rpm and 660 Nm of torque, which is maintained from 2,100 rpm to 4,500 rpm. Adding to the glory of this 4.0-liter V8 is its soundtrack, attained with the help of a specially tuned sport exhaust system specific to the GTS.

The turbo lag from the twin-turbo motor is barely noticeable, especially when in Sport Plus mode – acceleration is strong and the 8-speed Tiptronic S automatic transmission is quick to respond. Working in tandem with the spirited gearbox and throaty engine are smart systems like Porsche Traction Management, Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control, Porsche Active Suspension Management, and Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus.

The transfer box of the all-wheel drive system of the Cayenne GTS now features an independent water-cooling circuit, keeping the AWD system from overheating even when being belted around a track, for example. Along with the tauter chassis and suspension, the new Cayenne GTS also sits 10 mm lower for improved handling when compared to the standard model.

The new Porsche Cayenne GTS isn’t just fun around corners, it is impressively quick in a straight line as well – 0-100 km/h comes up in as little as 4.4 seconds if you have the Sport Chrono Package fitted. From there on, the fun continues up until you reach an indicated 275 km/h, which is the top speed of the Porsche Cayenne GTS.

Porsche Cayenne GTS exterior: Looks here are not deceptive

The general design of the new Porsche Cayenne is an evolution on the previous-generation model, where the devil is in the finer details – changes are there for one to see. The front and rear of the latest Cayenne look reasonably contemporary, but the GTS model (with its host of upgrades), looks considerably sportier in every way.

It gets dark-tinted LED headlights & taillights, apart from various ‘GTS’ lettering. There are bigger air intakes located in the front bumper, along with a revised lower apron for better aero. The rear features a large spoiler, a glossy black bumper with an air diffuser, and a sports exhaust system with four functional tailpipes finished in dark bronze.

The Sport Design package on the new Porsche Cayenne GTS adds high-gloss black trim all around the outside, plus sportier side skirts & wheel arch extensions, and 21-inch RS Spyder-design alloy wheels with red brake calipers. Like almost every other fast Porsche, the styling of the new Cayenne GTS isn’t just a smokescreen – it walks the talk.

Porsche Cayenne GTS interior: Dark-themed but energetic in spirit

Compared to the standard model, the cabin of the new Porsche Cayenne GTS prefers variations of black and grey instead of lighter, dual-tone shades. The GTS gets a unique seat design, ‘GTS’ lettering on the headrests, red stitching, and bright-red seatbelts. High-quality Race-Tex covers much of this interior, along with a suede-like fabric for the roof and the door pads.

The driver’s seating position is bang-on, with more emphasis on a snug fit – the side bolsters on the Cayenne GTS are noticeably more pronounced. The GT sports steering wheel is also unique to this model, and is completely wrapped in the same suede-like material as found in other key areas. Needless to say, build quality is fantastic.

The design of the cockpit is really modern and in keeping with other new Porsche cars, with straight lines and smooth curves blending together seamlessly. The digital rear-estate in here is vast and comprises three, high-definition multi-function displays – though Porsche has retained a few physical buttons for some key functions.

Porsche Cayenne GTS features: Plenty of equipment to keep boredom at bay

If you are spending the big bucks on a brand-new luxury SUV, boredom is not something you would want to feel. While the list of standard and optional features of the Porsche Cayenne GTS is quite long, some of the items that will get noticed include high-definition Matrix LED headlights, 8-way electrically adjustable front seats, LED ambient lighting, multi-zone automatic climate control, adaptive cruise control, and a high-end surround-sound system by Bose.

How much does the new Porsche Cayenne GTS cost?

The new Porsche Cayenne GTS costs AED 540,300 in the UAE, making it around 150,000 dirhams costlier than the base model Cayenne. If you want a really rapid Porsche SUV that can seat five people in comfort and put down solid lap times as well.

If you want something that’s cheaper, you can buy used cars in Dubai or even search for popular car brands Dubai on YallaMotor. You can also find used Porsche cars in UAE on our website.

FAQs

How much is a Porsche Cayenne in Dubai?

A: A Porsche Cayenne in Dubai starts from AED 389,500.

What does a Porsche Cayenne cost?

A: The Porsche Cayenne costs between AED 389,500 and AED 714,200.

Is Porsche Cayenne reliable?

A: According to J.D. Power, the Porsche Cayenne has enjoyed a high reliability rating since 2012.