Estimated Price Range $49,000-$110,000 "N16,000,000-N34,000,000"
The base Cayenne, Cayenne S, Cayenne Hybrid and Cayenne
Diesel comes standard with 18inch
wheels, automatic headlights, LED running lights, front and rear foglamps, a
power liftgate ”with separate window” automatic wipers, heated mirrors, cruise
controls, heated washer nozzles, climate control, leather upholstery and a 10
speaker sound system with a touch screen interface, a CD player, an auxiliary
audio jack and iPod-USB connectivity.
When Porsche debuted the Cayenne in 2002 for the 2003
Model year, a lot of reviewers said that the SUV would be the ultimate downfall
for the German company. It was a new take in the SUV section for Porsche and
several car enthusiasts believed that the Cayenne would definitely run the
company down. Surprisingly, instead it’s
been a vital piece of the company’s success story and one of the chief reasons
it’s still building the 911, the Boxster and the Cayman.
With a lineup that stretches from $40,000 to over a
hundred grand and with engines choices that range from a hybrid V6 to a twin-turbo V8 ”Porsche’s
first since 1995”, the Porsche Cayenne isn’t your typical midsize SUV. Nor is
it the most practical or family friendly. Indeed, the Cayenne’s relatively
small boot/trunk, high load floor and lack of third row seat option makes it
limited in real-world functionality. On the other hand, in terms of spirited
driving, there are few better. Thanks to its 4-wheel drive, razor sharp
steering and superb brakes, the Porsche Cayenne demonstrates surprising
response around corners and driving performances matched by few.
Introduction.
The Porsche Cayenne is a mid-sized 5 sitter luxury SUV
with a strong focus on performance and driving characteristics similar to
Porsche’s sport cars. When it first debuted in 2003, the Cayenne was an ugly,
hulky mass with true off road ability; the new Cayenne however is now skinnier, more powerful, more appealing but annoyingly no longer off-road worthy "not that most
people would care". .
For 2013, there are two new models of the Cayenne which
are the fuel efficient diesel and performance driven Cayenne GTS. The usual
Cayenne lineup still includes the base Cayenne, Cayenne S, Cayenne Turbo S and the
Cayenne Hybrid.
Trim Levels and Options.
The 2013 Cayenne SUV is available in six options
 |
| Base Cayenne $49,000 |
 |
| Cayenne GTS "$82,000" |
The Cayenne GTS gets the above equipment plus Porsche’s
active suspension system with adjustable ride height ‘popularly known as PASM’,
20inch wheels, upgraded brakes, adaptive bi xenon headlights, the Turbo’s more aggressive
front fascia, front and rear GTS specific sport seats, a sport steering wheel
and extensive use of faux suede in the interior.
The Turbo version adds 19inch wheels, all the stuff from
the GTS plus standard options, a turbo charged engine, faux suede interior, a
navigation system and 14 speaker Bose surround sound audio system with satellite
radio.
As with any Porsche “especially in the US”, the amount of
optional equipment available on all Cayenne models are inexhaustive. Exterior,
mechanical and electronic items include different wheels, an active anti-roll suspension
system, running boards, a panoramic sunroof, a regular sunroof, noise insulated
privacy glass, a heated windscreen, a Porsche designed chid safety seat,
different leather seat finishes, interior ambient lighting, keyless entry,
voice controls, a six CD changer, a 16speaker surround sound system, etc
 |
| Cayenne Turbo "$110,000" |
Performance "culled from edmunds.com"
The base Cayenne comes with a 3.6 litre V6 that produces
300hp. As on every Cayenne, all wheel drive is standard. A 6-speed manual is standard
on the base model with an 8-speed automatic being optional on the base but
standard on everything else and includes an automatic stop/start system for reduced fuel consumption. It comes
with Fuel economy ratings of 17mpg “7.2km/litre” city, 23mpg “9.8km/litre” highway
and 19mpg “8km/litre” combined. It drops to 15/22/17 “6.4km/litre city,
9.4km/litre highway, 7.2km/litre combined” for the manual.
 |
| Cayenne Base |
The Cayenne Diesel features a turbocharged 3.0litre V6
diesel that produces 240hp. The eight speed automatic is standard. Porsche say
the diesel Cayenne will hit 60mph in 7.4seconds which is quick for a diesel
engine. EPA estimated fuel economy is 19mpg city, 29mpg highway and 23 mpg combined or
(8km/litre city,12km/litre highway, 9.8km/litre combined) which is good for a
diesel but not premium.
 |
| Cayenne S |
The Cayenne S represents a substantial upgrade with its
4.8-litre V8 engine good for 400hp. As with every V8 Cayenne, the eight speed
automatic is standard as well as the
auto stop-start function. 0-60mph is expected to be around 5.4seconds. EPA
estimated fuel economy is close to the V6 at 16/22/18 or “6.8km/litre city, 9.4km/litre
highway, 7.7km/litre combined”.
The Cayenne S Hybrid features a supercharged 3.0litre V6
attached to a 34kW electric motor. Combined together, this hybrid powertrain
produces 380hp with EPA ratings of 20/24/21and a 0-60 time of 6.1secs.
The Cayenne GTS gets an upgraded 4.8litre engine good for
420hp though 0-60time is estimated to be the same as the Cayenne S. EPA fuel
economy ratings stands at 15/21/17 mpg or “6.4 city /9 highway /7.3 combined” km/litre.
The Cayenne turbo gets a turbocharged 4.8litre V8 with
500hp. It would hit 62mph/ 100km/h in 4.7secs and a top speed of 175mph / 280km/h making it one of the quickest SUV’s
available. Adding the turbo powerkit ups the engine output to 540hp.
 |
| Cayenne Turbo |
Safety "culled from edmunds.com"
Every 2013 Porsche Cayenne comes standard with antilock
disc brakes with enhanced brake assist, stability and traction control, driver
knee airbag, front side airbags and full length curtain airbags, rear side
airbags, parking sensors, a rear view camera and a blind spot warming system.
In the Edmunds braking test, the cayenne turbo came to a
stop from 60mph in 108ft which is exceptional for any vehicle. The Cayenne
Hybrid with its regenerative brakes comes to a stop in 120ft which is still very
good for its class.
Personal View
The 2013 Porsche Cayenne is an exceptional car to own and
drive though somewhat impractical in the real world. Its too expensive, too
complicated “with the over 50 buttons on its dashboard”, impossible to maintain
(especially if you live in naija) and with no off road ability, absolutely not
fit for the Nigerian road. If you don’t have a house on the Island, Ikoyi,
Ikeja or Banana Island; abeg, don’t buy one.
Anyway no matter what anyone says, I’m sure our Naija chairmen are already calling the Porsche centre phone lines in Nigeria requesting when this model would be available for sale so this write up might not mean much to them. Anyway to those who like to think with their heads and not their eyes, if you really want to get the new generation Porsche Cayenne, get the 2011 model, it looks pretty much as the 2013 and should be at least N2.5Million cheaper.
Nevertheless if you must get the 2013 model, you should know that the Cayenne would be worth about twice the US market price so costs for a new one should be in the range of N20Mill-N40Mill “possibly even more”. Frankly the 2013 Porsche Cayenne would be an easy choice if it wasn’t for its excruciatingly high prices.
Used Models
Anyway no matter what anyone says, I’m sure our Naija chairmen are already calling the Porsche centre phone lines in Nigeria requesting when this model would be available for sale so this write up might not mean much to them. Anyway to those who like to think with their heads and not their eyes, if you really want to get the new generation Porsche Cayenne, get the 2011 model, it looks pretty much as the 2013 and should be at least N2.5Million cheaper.
Nevertheless if you must get the 2013 model, you should know that the Cayenne would be worth about twice the US market price so costs for a new one should be in the range of N20Mill-N40Mill “possibly even more”. Frankly the 2013 Porsche Cayenne would be an easy choice if it wasn’t for its excruciatingly high prices.
I was at the VW maintenance centre
at Gbagada today; there were so many Porsche's there ehn, you'd
think it was a dealership. Most likely those Porsche's were sent there by
people for repairs but haven't been picked up because of the high cost the guys
at the Porsche section gave them. What i'm trying to say in essence is
that, if you cant afford to maintain a car, then there's no point buying it. No
matter how careful you are with a car, you should realize that its mechanical,
it's bound to have faults.
Anyway in comparism, other SUV's available in 9ja which come close
to the Cayenne's level of performance are the BMW X6, "my personal favorite", the Mercedes GL 550 and the Audi Q7.
Used Models
If I was to suggest any Cayenne to a friend, it would
most likely be the 2006 model. Though it looks very ugly and isn't exactly up to date, abeg forget that side; its still a Porsche. Its still got the insignia of luxury and performance, plus its got serious off road
capability and you can
get a good one for just over N4Million. What else could you possibly want? One guy at cheki.com.ng even put his 2006 Cayenne at N2.5Mill. That a good bargain if you ask me.
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| 2006 Cayenne |
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