Officially Official: Porsche Cayenne GTS
by Alex Nunez on Sep 7th 2007 at 6:47AM 
Click for photo gallery
Looks like the rumor we posted yesterday is true. Porsche will indeed unveil the Cayenne GTS at Frankfurt next week. Positioned between the Cayenne S and Cayenne Turbo, the GTS is the first Cayenne to be equipped with the active suspension (PASM) combined with steel springs -- a configuration that, until now, was reserved for the automaker's sports cars. Its sits 24 mm lower than the S and its V8 gets a 20 hp bump to 405 horsepower. Visually, the GTS wears the same front and rear fascias as the Cayenne Turbo. It's also outfitted with 21-inch wheels and there are two new colors exclusive to it: GTS Red and Nordic Gold Metallic. A six-speed manual is standard equipment, with Tiptronic S optionally available. Look for the Cayenne GTS in showrooms in February 2008. US buyers should set aside $69,300 if they'd like to park one in their driveways.
Porsche's press release is included after the jump.
[Source: Porsche via Autoblog Spanish]
Gallery: 2008 Porsche Cayenne GTS
PRESS RELEASE:
New Porsche Cayenne GTS now even more powerful
Stuttgart. With the new Cayenne GTS, Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG of Stuttgart, Germany, is reiterating the successful Cayenne series' prominence in the sporty SUV segment. The model, which celebrates its world debut at the IAA in Frankfurt, features an enhanced 4.8-liter V8, has been lowered by 24 millimeters and has a specially developed chassis: it is the first Cayenne to feature the electronically controlled damping system, Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), with steel springs. This combination was previously reserved exclusively for Porsche sports cars.
The 4.8-liter engine with direct gasoline fuel injection (DFI) in the Cayenne GTS yields 405bhp (298 kW) at 6,500 revolutions per minute – 20bhp more than in the Cayenne S. Maximum torque remains unchanged at 500Nm at 3,500 revolutions per minute.
This, the sportiest of Porsche SUVs, comes as standard with a six-speed manual gearbox and a shorter axle drive ratio than the Cayenne S (4.1:1 as opposed to 3.55:1). The Cayenne GTS can thus accelerate from zero to 100km/h in just 6.1 seconds, precisely 0.5 seconds quicker than the Cayenne S.
The Cayenne GTS is fitted with Porsche Traction Management (PTM) permanent all-wheel drive and the adaptive PASM chassis as standard. As well as optional air suspension, the Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) active anti-roll system is available to enhance handling and ride comfort. Newly developed 12-way sports seats and a leather-Alcantara mix emphasize the sporty interior.
The new Cayenne GTS is instantly recognizable: the front and rear look the same as the Cayenne Turbo, and the striking 14mm wheel-arch enlargements offer plenty of space for the standard 21-inch alloy rims with 295/35 R21 tires. Two new colors have also been reserved exclusively for the GTS: GTS Red and Nordic Gold Metallic.
The new Cayenne model with Tiptronic S transmission has an average consumption of 13.9 liters/100 km in accordance with EU standards. Global dispatch will start in February 2008. In Germany it will cost 76,725 Euros including 19 percent VAT and country-specific requirements; the base price is 64,300 Euros. The base price for the USA (MSRP USA) is US $69,300.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
MoonRover 7:31AM (9/07/2007)
I do not like the interior of this car, but I love Porsches.
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Victor 8:19AM (9/07/2007)
It's not a car, and it's as far from a 911.
John P. 8:10AM (9/07/2007)
the exterior is nothing special either, but I love Porsche too.
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moe 8:56AM (9/07/2007)
i don't mind the interior.. i'd actually buy this if i had the money..the 3 heavenly words are there - "six speed manual"
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Roman 8:54AM (9/07/2007)
Not a car? Then what is it? Doesn't look like a boat or plane to me either...
Obviously it's not going to come close to a 911. But a Cayenne is a seriously well handling machine for it's size and weight. There's no SUV that comes close to it. And especially not this one with the improvements done to it.
For those who need a car that's higher of the ground, or simply just want it, but want great road handling this is a brilliant car. Or for people in this area it would be great as you can still do all the dirt tracks that we have, but also kick alot of peoples asses on the road.
I wouldn't want one, I'd much rather have a 911. But I can imagine alot of people wanting something like this. And Porsche has been doing very very well since they came out with the Cayenne.
Excellent concept.
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DJ 9:17AM (9/07/2007)
I wouldn't be surprised is this is what was purported to be the Lambo SUV mule.
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Hiro11 9:49AM (9/07/2007)
Not that anyone asked, but I absolutely hate the Cayenne. A "sportscar SUV" makes about as much sense as a snowmobile/jetski. The Cayenne is stupid, tasteless and one of the ugliest cars on the road. The fact that it was Porsche's sales leader for years simultaneously proves that Porsche management have really good business sense and that the American car buying public have absolutely no common sense. Hopefully, with sales now tanking, Porsche will see fit to take this awful piece of crap off the market and forget that it ever existed.
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John Metcalf 6:05PM (9/07/2007)
This has been on my 10 ugliest vehicles list since it was introduced. Regardless of it's ungainly styling, it's real ugliness is in the fact that it highlights everything wrong with the oxymoronic "luxury SUV" segment.
I'm sure it's very capable, and handles better than your average Tahoe, but even so, it never should have been.
Tai 2:15PM (9/08/2007)
Please don't hold back. Let us know how you really feel. heh Actually I agree with you.
esoterica 10:10AM (9/07/2007)
Still the ugliest SUV on the road.
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Gooch 10:26AM (9/07/2007)
Believe me when I say the Cayenne will embarrass many sports cars and keep up with some you would think would blow it away. This looks like the Cayenne to get if you're into high-end SUVs.
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esoterica 1:45AM (9/08/2007)
And why should anyone care, except for academics' sake?
FLR 10:41AM (9/07/2007)
If you want a high performance people mover with some cache just buy a Mercedes, BMW or Audi wagon.
SUV's are soooo yesterday!
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Corey W. 11:57AM (9/07/2007)
Can it still get spanked by a Jeep GC SRT-8?!?
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Mazdamia 1:02PM (9/07/2007)
Why can't Porsche offer a car with 405 horsepower and a six-speed manual for this price?
They would even save on materials since it would be lighter!
skywalker2 2:57PM (9/07/2007)
can anyone else hear the r32 asking for its rimes back?
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corey garnett 6:21PM (9/07/2007)
+1 Roman And Gooch
I posted this in the previous thread before I saw this official announcement:
I shared similar views before deciding to look at the Cayenne last year. I live in LA and was fortunate enough to find a good dealer located near some twisties that they used as part of their test route (they've since stopped this practice due to complaints from neighbors).
Our sales rep was a Porsche Club of America driving school instructor and was used to selling the Cayennes to Soccer Moms as status cars. He was very pleased to have enthusiasts interested, and after a back to back comparison of the V6 in Manual and the Cayenne S in Tip he asked if we'd like for him to drive. We'd all (Myself, My Wife, and a friend) been quite impressed with the lack of body roll, power, and handling.
He proceeded to completely blow that out of the water. We charged up this canyon road full of 25MPH switchbacks at 50-70MPH with barely a hint of body roll, a 5000lb+ SUV loaded with 4 adults hunkering down and handling like an overgrown sportscar. People like to say that Porsche has defeated the law of physics with the handling of the rear engine 911, but I think the Cayenne is the most extreme example of this and is unfortunately often overlooked.
I really wanted a MT and didn't end up getting a Cayenne for this and other reasons. Up until today I'd been unmoved by their recent refresh, but it sounds like the GTS might be exactly what I was looking for.
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Imp 8:33PM (9/07/2007)
Add another vote to the UGLY tally ... and why does it look at least a decade old before it's come out?
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ktibuk 9:13AM (9/08/2007)
Cayanne, and to a certain degree Boxter are all the victims of 911.
Take this SUV change its brand, and it would be the best SUV out there. MOre beautiful, better designed inside and outside, better handling and cheaper than any other SUV including Range Rover, BMW, Mercedes or any other Japanese and American make.
But this is a POrsche and because of 911 people feel Porsche was out of place by just producing this.
This is true for boxter too. Boxter is a beautiful machine but people scoff at it because they compare it to 911 instead of Z4 or Mercedes SL or some other roadster.
Going back to Cayanne.
DOnt thing of 911 when looking at this. Just compare it to any other SUV out there and you will see only one weakness, that is the lack of option for a diesel engine, and thats it. Otherwise, this SUV is the best outhere. Period.
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Imp 12:55PM (9/08/2007)
Dude, your bias is understandable but it's skewing your objective judgment ... this thing is UGLY. I think the X3 and X5 are marginally more attractive than this, the Mercedes significantly more attractive, and the Range Rover much better.
But maybe Lenscrafters can get you a discount on a new pair of glasses.