Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT review

Open gallery Close by Matt Saunders 29 July 2022 Follow @TheDarkStormy1 Share

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The Porsche Cayenne Turbo was among the most divisive cars of the early noughties. Yet if it hadn’t survived all of the slings and arrows of public opinion aimed at it since 2002, and gone on to establish such a clearly profitable business model in spite of all the hate, would the Lamborghini Urus, the Bentley Bentayga, the Rolls-Royce Cullinan and now the Ferrari Purosangue have followed? This was the car to first provide concrete evidence that wealthy people were ready to spend big money on seriously fast and desirable luxury SUVs. And now it’s out to battle its way back to the top of the niche that it created. 

The Cayenne Turbo GT is a new top-of-the-range performance derivative for the Cayenne model line. Available only with the lower-roofed Cayenne Coupé bodystyle, it features as standard every active suspension, steering and braking technology offered optionally on lesser Cayenne models, but also represents a thorough technical reworking of many of those systems, and features a widely upgraded turbocharged V8 engine to boot. It’s a product whose intent is “to fully exploit the dynamic potential” of the Cayenne: a statement that, if delivered on, ought to send shivers to various offices around the European luxury car business. 

Why settle for one rear spoiler when you can have the GT’s roof-mounted wing as well? Carbonfibre side plates were a little over the top for some testers’ tastes, but they are certainly purposeful-looking.Matt SaundersRoad test editor

This week, then, we find out just how well Porsche can make a 2.3-tonne luxury SUV handle when fully committing to the idea, and exactly how fast that SUV can be made to accelerate and stop as verified by our satellite timing gear. Get ready for some startling numbers.

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The Porsche Cayenne Coupe line-up at a glance

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There are now three six-cylinder Cayenne Coupés in Porsche’s model range and four V8s – the Cayenne GTS being the crossover point. Two models out of seven offer plug-in hybrid drive, although they do it at quite different prices and performance levels. There are no secondary trim levels but there are a number of options to splurge on plus Lightweight Sport weight-saving equipment packages.

*Model tested

Verdict Model tested: Rating: 8

Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT

GoodIncredible sports car-beating performanceUncompromisingly visceral and absorbing dynamic characterLimit handling is balanced and engaging, but also feels naturalBadIt isn’t as spacious as some large SUVsInterior lacks some of the luxury ambience of rivalsRide isolation is enough to challenge your enthusiasm

TECHNICAL SPECS

Model tested: Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT Price: £147,510 Price as tested: £156,002 Engine: V8, 3996cc, twin-turbocharged, petrol Transmission: 8-spd automatic Driveline layout: Front, longitudinal; four-wheel drive Model tested Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT Price £147,510 Price as tested £156,002 View all specs and rivals Engine V8, 3996cc, twin-turbocharged, petrol Transmission 8-spd automatic Driveline layout Front, longitudinal; four-wheel drive Power 632bhp at 6000rpm Torque 627lb ft at 2300-4500rpm 0-62mph 3.3sec Top speed 186mph Kerb weight (DIN) 2220kg Fuel economy 20.0mpg CO2 319g/km BIK tax band 37% Rivals Lamborghini Urus Aston Martin DBX Bentley Bentayga Power 632bhp at 6000rpm Torque 627lb ft at 2300-4500rpm 0-62mph 3.3sec Top speed 186mph Kerb weight (DIN) 2220kg Fuel economy 20.0mpg CO2 319g/km BIK tax band 37% Rivals Lamborghini Urus Aston Martin DBX Bentley Bentayga