Autoblog

It's a brilliant marketing come-on, really. Who wants to climb into a GAZ-24, however appealing it might be to obscure-car guys, when you could sink into the all-enveloping sumptuousness of a Maybach 62? Need to get to Gorky Park quickly? A Porsche Cayenne outfitted with a meter and checkerboard detailing awaits at the curb. It's not just a fancied-up VW, still carrying the VR6 behind the Porsche crest, either. No, this Cayenne is a TechArt Magnum, packing enough horsepower to light Long Island. Shaking that covey of shifty-eyed men in the shiny black Zil won't be a problem. It's not known if the fare is commensurate with the price of the vehicle, however.

[Source: englishrussia.com]

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Well, '08 Porsche Cayenne owners hankering for that TechArt Magnum look can now achieve their goal, thanks to the newly-released TechArt SUV package, which gives non-turbo Cayennes a suite of body mods providing a Magnum-ish look, but none of the 620-horsepower punch. If you have a Cayenne Turbo, TechArt can make the power thing happen for you as well (with or without the aero kit, presumably). They're also more than happy to trick out your interior and modify your Cayenne's active suspension (on trucks so equipped) to drop the lowest ride height an additional 30 mm. It's all business as usual at TechArt, where the only real constraint is the size of your child's college fund.

[Source: Techart]

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Well, you knew this had to be coming. The revised Porsche Cayenne has been on sale for a while now, and Porsche supertuner TechArt has readied the next-generation Magnum for an official debut at the Frankfurt show in September. The edgier look of the new Cayenne has given way to a Magnum that's just as aggressive as the outgoing one, but is better-looking in a very angry sort of way. This Magnum looks like it wants to punch you right in the kisser and take your lunch money. Possibly your dignity, as well. The muscled-up bodywork is further accented by swanky Techart wheels and formidable quad exhaust outlets.

Inside the cabin, enough leather is stretched over the seating and trim surfaces to make PETA members suffer immediate nervous breakdowns. We also like the snazzy brown carbon fiber trim used in lieu of wood in the photo car. Techart is working on a suite of engine mods for the Cayenne Turbo's mill that will pump it up to 620 horsepower, and their suspension modification allows for a lower-than-standard ride height for normal driving. (The adjustable suspension's peak off-road height is still maintained.) Price? None given, and if you need to ask, you're probably out of your league anyway. The verdict? Badass -- very much so.

[Source: Techart]

TechArt knows its way around a Porsche, so we aren't the least bit surprised to learn that they've coaxed 600 horsepower out of the Cayenne Turbo.

The TechArt Magnum is in the news today because it's been announced that it'll be appearing at MPH '06. In addition to the expected static displays, MPH '06 ups the motor show ante by incorporating a Jeremy Clarkson-hosted live demonstration of supercars like the Magnum in a theatrical setting (see video). This gives showgoers the opportunity to see the cars in all their tire-smoking powersliding glory.

To rewind a bit: the Magnum made its official debut at last year's Frankfurt show, and benefits from the fitment of larger turbos, a new intercooler, TechArt intake and exhaust, new air filter and a reprogrammed ECU. Complementing the SUV's 600 horses is a healthy 638 lb ft of torque. 62 mph arrives in a scant 4.5 seconds and the top speed is a ridiculous 181 mph.

Equally ridiculous, unfortunately, is the TechArt body kit that turns the Magnum's front end into a busy mess. We know that the Cayenne is not exactly an easy starting point, but a look that works for the Cayman does not fare nearly as well here. Too bad, because from the rear and sides, the Magnum looks sharp. Hopefully, the refreshed Cayenne will give tuners more to work with up front.

All that said, we'd gladly pay the price of admission to see the Magnum shriek across the stage as Clarkson dishes out the one-liners. 600 horses is a lot, and like we said, TechArt knows what it's doing. Should be a helluva show.

(Rear view shot, press releases after the jump)

[Sources: MPH '06 / TechArt]