nearly 30 mpg. Meanwhile, at the top of the range, the Turbo’s 4.8-liter V-8 now produces 520 hp, up from 500, and churns out 553 lb-ft, [ 2015 ] the same torque as the outgoing Turbo S. The biggest changes are in the middle of the range. There’s a new plug-in hybrid that can go up to 22 miles on electric power. Yawn. Next? The Cayenne S drops the naturally aspirated 4.8-liter V-8 for a twin-turbo V-6. This 3.6-liter THE CASH COW. is not a version of the turbo 3.0-liter used in the Panamera S, mind you, nor is it a turbocharged version of the Cayenne’s old base 3.6-liter VR-6. (Confused? Welcome to VW Group drivetrain discussions.) Just know that this is the 3.6 developed for the top-of-the-line Macan Turbo. The boosted six is disappointingly muted compared with the old, throbbing V-8, but it makes 20 hp more and is undeniably effective at hurling the Cayenne’s 4600-pound bulk down the road. With the optional Sport Chrono pack, the S reaches 60 mph in 5.1 seconds, a mere tenth slower than Porsche’s 911 Targa 4. The turbo six’s broad spread of torque—the same 406 lb-ft as the diesel, but available from 1350 to 4500 rpm—makes the old, naturally aspirated V-8, but also that Targa, feel gutless. Fuel economy also increases for the S, from 16/22 mpg to 17/24 mpg. While every two-pedal Porsche save the hybrid Panamera uses the marque’s wonderful dual-clutch PDK, the Cayenne remains saddled with a traditional eight-speed automatic. The shifts in the S we drove were disappointingly jerky, although the Turbo we tried shifted smoothly. Let’s hope it was a fluke. The Turbo has more grip and better brake feel, but the 220-pound-lighter S PRICE $62,695 flicks into turns easier. Few SUVs POWERTRAIN steer with such precision or provide 3.0-liter V-6, 240 such scope for naughtiness. Find To start, Porsche added a dash hp, 406 lb-ft; AWD, AS PORSCHE NEVER TIRES OF TELLING a curve with enough space, keep us, the Cayenne is the cash cow that funds devel- of Macan to the Cayenne’s styling, 8-speed automatic your foot in it, and the rearward opment of the company’s sports cars. You know, then focused on subtle improve- 0–60 MPH 7.2 sec torque transfer will eventually arc the Porsches everyone really loves. And as much ments in power and fuel economy. WEIGHT 4652 lb TOP SPEED 135 mph the back tires out enough to reas people (And, okay, a few staffers at this maga- The base 3.6-liter, Volkswagen- EPA CITY/HWY quire a proper helping of opposite zine, after a strong drink and a Google image sourced VR-6 gets the bullet, leav- 20/29 mpg lock. We’d never deign to suggest search for “993 RS” —Ed.) like to bash the Cay- ing the diesel model as the entry- ON SALE Now the Cayenne as an alternative to a enne, since the second-generation model was level Cayenne. That 3.0-liter V-6 introduced in 2010, it’s actually been a fine car. produces 240 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, and 911, but of all the SUVs claiming to have sportsBut with the arrival of Porsche’s baby SUV, the it surges to 60 mph in just over seven seconds. car traits, of the few that come anywhere close to Thereafter, it cruises in comfort and returns delivering, this is the one. Macan, the Cayenne was in need of a refresh. —CHRIS CHILTON
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