NEWCOMER 2016 Porsche Cayenne GTS/Turbo S

Intake

SPORT UTE Few SUVs have the handling chops of the new Cayenne GTS, but if it’s outright power you want, the Cayenne Turbo S is for you.

2016 Porsche Cayenne GTS/Turbo S

It’s the dead of winter at a decommissioned military base in Sweden, and there are no signs of the planes, heavy artillery, or troops that were here years ago. Today, there’s only the sound of brand-new Porsche Cayenne GTS and Turbo S models being flogged on a frozen handling course, icy skidpad, and a snow-covered runway that’s been converted into an impromptu dragstrip. Oh, and former rally ace Walter Röhrl is giving very sideways ride-alongs in a 911 Turbo S on a makeshift winter rally course.

But we’re really here to sample two of Porsche’s sportiest sport/utility vehicles. Both badges have finally made their way to the new Cayenne range, and both bring some changes. The GTS has lost its naturally aspirated V-8 for a souped-up 440-hp version of the 3.6-liter, twin-turbo V-6 found in the Cayenne S. The engine makes more power than before with reduced emissions, but most important, it retains a healthy snarl thanks to the standard sport exhaust. Cayenne Turbo brakes and front fascia, along with 20-inch wheels and a host of other cosmetic touches, make the GTS look the part. (An eight-speed automatic is the exclusive Cayenne transmission.)

Meanwhile, the Turbo S, through a host of revisions, is up to a staggering 570 hp and 590 lb-ft from its 4.8-liter, twin-turbo V-8, enough power to make a valiant effort in melting any ice beneath its tires. Huge carbon-ceramic brakes under 21-inch wheels and air suspension are standard equipment.

After a day spent mostly sideways in both GTS and Turbo S models, we draw a few impressions. The Turbo S is massively quick,

Newcomer

even on ice, and it looks and feels like the top-line sport/ute it is. But the GTS is the more nimble, better balanced, Goldilocks solution in the Cayenne line. It’s still plenty quick for U.S. roads, and it sounds fantastic with that sport exhaust. It’s our pick for those without an autobahn in their

backyard. Rory Jurnecka

The Turbo S, below, is up to a staggering 570 hp and 590 lb-ft from its 4.8-liter, twin-turbo V-8.

MINUS 2 For 2016 the Cayenne GTS has replaced the naturally aspirated V-8 with a 440-hp, 3.6-liter, twin-turbo V-6 making 442 lb-ft.

2016 PORSCHE CAYENNE GTS/TURBO S Base Price $96,495-$158,295 Vehicle Layout Front-engine, AWD, 5-pass, 4-door SUV Engines 3.6L/440hp/442-lb-ft twin-turbo DOHC 24-valve V-6; 4.8L/570-hp/590-lb-ft twin-turbo DOHC 32-valve V-8 Transmission 8-speed automatic Curb Weight 4,6504,950 lb (mfr) Wheelbase 114.0 in L x W x H 191.1 x 78.7 x 65.5-69.2 in 0-60 mph 3.8-4.9 sec (mfr est) EPA City/Hwy/Comb Fuel Econ 14-16/21-23/17-19 mpg (est) Energy Cons, City/Hwy 211-241/147-160 kW-hrs/100 miles (est) CO2 Emissions, Comb 1.05-1.18 lb/mile (est) On Sale in U.S. Currently

MIKE CONNOR MT CONFIDENTIAL

We initially dismissed rumors of the Apple Car, but now we’re hearing word that it’s much further along than people realize. Apple has hired away the team that developed the HySeries Drive hydrogen fuel cell plug-in hybrid technology at Ford circa 2007. The technology was revealed in the Ford Airstream Concept, an electric car with a hydrogen fuel cell range extender good for 305 miles of total range. The story goes that everyone within Ford was very high on this Chevy Volt-beating technology, but CEO Alan Mulally quashed it when he showed up because Ford was going big on gas/ electric hybrids. Apple is also said to

be sniffing around for an automotive

PR team…Speaking of high-tech stuff, Nissan is preparing a built-in data logging system for the GT-R. We expect Nissan to announce the system sometime in the near future. It will record performance and lapping data and download all that information to a standard USB thumb drive via a dedicated port in the center armrest. You can then upload the data to your computer to analyze. We’ve heard no word yet whether Nissan will create its own analytic software or contract it out like Chevrolet did with the Corvette’s similar Performance Data Recorder and Cosworth software…In other performance news, FCA senior vice president for product design and SRT patron saint Ralph Gilles says he has one more Hellcat-related surprise for us this year. We’d love to see a Grand Cherokee Hellcat, but we’re not convinced its all-wheel-drive drivetrain can handle 650 lb-ft of torque. Unfortunately, the Jeep might be out as an option, but we’re beginning to hear whispers of a Hellcat with horns. How does a Ram Hellcat sound?…On the subject of large vehicles with monster engines, we’ve learned a smidge more about the upcoming Rolls-Royce Wraith convert-

ible (or Drophead, as Rolls likes to say)

that’s been spotted testing. It will make its debut later this year with sales starting in 2016. Expect it to cost a bit more than a standard Wraith, or somewhere north of $300,000…Regarding variants, things are looking grim for the long-awaited Mazda6 diesel. The car has been delayed as Mazda struggles to meet emissions and performance goals, and the fight isn’t going well. Rumor has it that the engineering team behind the Mazda6 diesel program has dwindled from a couple dozen to fewer than 10 in the past year, signaling that the bean counters might be giving up on the project and reallocating resources to more profitable ventures. We’re holding out hope for a breakthrough.

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