Big updates for Porsche Cayenne

Porsche has revealed details of a major upgrade for its Cayenne luxury SUV including comprehensive changes to the powertrain, chassis, design and equipment.

“It’s one of the most extensive product upgrades in the history of Porsche,” Porsche’s Michael Schätzle, said.

With a starting price of $140,000 plus on roads. the new 2023 Cayenne comes in a choice of SUV or coupe styles as it did previously.

Externally it gets a revised front combined with more strongly arched wings plus a new bonnet and headlights that emphasise the vehicle’s width.

At the rear there are three-dimensional tail lights, a new rear apron and integrated number plate holder.

Three new colours are available along with lightweight sports packages saving up to 33kg for the Cayenne Coupe and a new extensive range of 20, 21, and 22-inch wheels.

Matrix LED Headlights are now standard With HD Matrix LEDs as a new optional feature.

The inside is dominated by a completely revised display and control concept.

First introduced in the current Taycan, the new Porsche Driver Experience focuses on the driver’s axis and optimises operation.

Functions that the driver uses frequently are located directly on or immediately next to the steering wheel.

For the first time, the redesigned cockpit includes a fully digitised 12.6-inch instrument cluster with a so-called curved and free-standing design and variable display options.

An optimised head-up display is fitted as standard.

The standard 12.3-inch central Porsche Communication Management (PCM) display is integrated into the new dashboard and provides access to all relevant vehicle functions including Spotify and Apple Music.

An optional 10.9-inch display is now available for the first time for the passenger side, displaying performance data and providing separate access to the infotainment system controls.

A special film across the screen ensures the driver cannot see this display while driving.

The gear selector lever is now located on the dashboard, freeing up room in the centre console for storage compartments and a large air conditioning controller.

Australian-spec Cayenne comes with three different engines.

An extensive refinement of the bi-turbo 4.0-litre V8 replaces the previous V6 in the new Cayenne S.

Maximum outputs of 349kW and 600Nm are 25kW and 50Nm more than its predecessor, while both the SUV and the Coupe accelerate to 100km/h in 4.7 seconds.

Likewise an optimised 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 engine now generates 260kW and 500Nm, up by 10kW and 50Nm.

The six-cylinder engine also forms the basis for the powertrain of the Cayenne E-Hybrid.

In combination with a new electric motor that has been boosted by 30kW to 130kW, the combined output increases to 346kW.

The capacity of the high-voltage battery has also been increased from 17.9 to 25.9kWh.

A new 11kW on-board charger now shortens the charging time despite the increased battery capacity.

During driving optimised e-hybrid driving modes can increase the efficiency of the vehicle.

Cayenne Turbo GT is designed for maximum on-road performance and remains the flagship model in the range.

It is available exclusively as a Coupe and benefits from all the optimisations and innovations of the model series.

In addition, the output of the 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8 of the Turbo GT has been increased by 14kW to 485kW.

Cayenne Turbo GT accelerates from zero to 100km/h in 3.3 seconds.

Extra standard equipment in the new Cayenne includes Active Parking Support with 3D Surround View and a smartphone compartment with inductive charging at up to 15 watts across the new Cayenne model range for compatible phones.

Cayenne and Cayenne E-Hybrid get active suspension and 20-inch wheels.