It was back in 2002 when the first Porsche Cayenne 955′s rolled off the production line at Leipzig, Germany. Many gasped in shock and the purists gasped in horror, as the first Porsche SUV took to the road with its four-doors, portly kerb weight and towering ground clearance. However, as always, Porsche had been clinical in every aspect of the Cayenne, the results of which are reflected by the sales figure of 280 000 units – impressive for a sports car manufacturer’s first foray into the premium SUV segment. A second generation was guaranteed.

Codenamed the 958, the new Porsche Cayenne is bigger, lighter, more efficient and more ‘Porsche’ than its predecessor. The Cayenne has grown in all directions and now rides on a 40 mm longer wheelbase, with the body being 48 mm longer, 6 mm taller and 11 mm wider than before. The standard ride height is 215 mm, with the air suspension system providing maximum ground clearance of 273 mm when set to off-road mode. Despite the increased dimensions, the exterior styling suggests otherwise. The front of the new Cayenne features the characteristic Porsche bonnet that is flanked by high edge wings and now carries the famous crest. Two large air scoops, either side of a larger centre scoop, include LED indicators and day-time running lights (DRL’s). A thinner and more sloping D-pillar make the biggest difference to the Cayenne’s profile, which now looks sleeker and has the impression of a lower roof line. The Cayenne’s rear end has been given a new set of tail-lights that blend with, and enhance, the SUV’s wider shoulders, while the contoured roof spoiler is said to pay homage to the Carrera GT. It certainly is far prettier than the model it replaces.

The interior has been given a welcome redesign, taking much influence from the Porsche Panamera sports sedan. The centre console is designed with the same feel as that of the Panamera, with a multitude of buttons surrounding the gear selector, which is close at hand thanks to a console that rises to meet the dashboard. The dashboard features a centrally-mounted 7-inch colour touch screen that is framed on either side by two large air vents. A new 5-dial instrument cluster in front of the driver houses a rev-counter in the centre with speedometer to the left and on-board computer display to the right. Other information includes engine temperature, oil pressure, fuel gauge, etc, but despite sounding cluttered, the instrumentation layout is one of the most comprehensive and logical we’ve used. Other updates to the interior include wedge-shaped grab handles on either side of the lower centre console, whose shape is repeated on all four door handles, as well as new surface materials on the dashboard and doors that enhance the premium nature of the Cayenne. Three rear passengers are accommodated with generous levels of legroom. The rear seat is adjustable by up to 160 mm fore and aft, while the backrest has three levels of inclination. In addition, the rear seats can be folded down in any combination according to the 40:20:40 split and make way for 1 780-litres of cargo while doing so. It has to be said the interior materials and build quality are excellent, feeling solid, durable and decidedly premium to the touch.

In the face of ever increasing environmental awareness and regulations, Porsche focused on a number of core areas in development of the new Cayenne. Advancement in efficiency have been made with the introduction of Porsche’s new eight-speed Tiptronic S automatic transmission complete with automatic Start/Stop technology. The additional 7th and 8th gear ratios have been included to ensure a better spread of gear ratios for improved acceleration, as well as being overdrive ratios to lower fuel consumption and emissions. Porsche has also equipped the Cayenne with a revised all-wheel drive system – Porsche Traction Management (PTM) – which is 33 kilograms lighter through the use of lightweight propeller shafts and other components. Other weight saving measure include the use of aluminium chassis and suspension components, an aluminium bonnet, wings and tailgate, as well as having shed 10 kilograms off the weight of the electrical system. In total, the new Cayenne is now 180 kilograms lighter than before.

The Cayenne range includes five models, namely the Cayenne, Cayenne Diesel, Cayenne S and Cayenne Turbo, but perhaps the most intriguing is the new Cayenne S Hybrid. Porsche’s development of hybrid technology is progressing at a rapid rate, as the recent introduction of the Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid and Porsche 918 Spyder Hybrid illustrate, but perhaps most indicative is the availability of Porsche’s first hybrid production vehicle, the Cayenne S Hybrid.

The hybrid Cayenne is powered by a supercharged 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine that produces 245 kW and 440 Nm all on its own. However, added power and economy comes from a 34 kW, 300 Nm electric motor that, when run in combination with the petrol engine, gives the Cayenne S Hybrid total power of 279 kW at 5 500 r/min and 580 Nm of torque from just 1 000 r/min.  From the driver’s seat, the low down torque from the electric motor is immediately evident and contributes to sprightly acceleration of 0 – 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds. The on-board display indicates how many minutes you’ve spent driving exclusively on battery power, but anything other than the slightest touch of the accelerator sees the petrol engine kick back into life. The Cayenne’s battery is recharged through kinetic energy gathered whenever the brakes are applied. Other efficiency measures include a mode called ‘sailing’ whereby the petrol engine is turned off and the clutch disengaged at speeds of up to 156 km/h whenever the accelerator pedal is released, to lessen drag from the engine. The Cayenne S Hybrid also features automatic Start/Stop technology that turns off the engine at a standstill, for example with the traffic lights on red or in a traffic jam. All this energy saving technology equates to an average fuel economy figure of 8.2 L/100km, making it the second most efficient model in the range after the Cayenne Diesel.

The entry-level Cayenne is powered by a 3.6-litre V6 with 220 kW and 400 Nm of torque. While it’s no slouch, managing 0 – 100 km/h in 7.5 seconds, the ‘baby’ of the range needs to be worked to achieve its best performance. The base model Cayenne has the most character of the bunch, with a V6 that sings sweetly when you wind it up. Specification levels are very good and there is not much to suggest you’d have been frugal in your purchasing decision. The Cayenne Diesel would be the sensible choice for an everyday blend of adequate performance and the best fuel economy. The 3.0-litre V6 engine has 176 kW and 550 Nm of torque on offer, enough to propel the Cayenne Diesel from 0 – 100 km/h in 7.8 seconds, combined with average economy of 7.4 L/100km. The Cayenne S is equipped with Porsche’s naturally aspirated 4.8-litre V8, motivating the big SUV with 294 kW and 500 Nm of torque. The Cayenne S has plenty of ‘go’ in it and performs like a sports car on stilts when burying the accelerator pedal. 0 – 100 km/h is completed in 5.9 seconds and top speed is 258 km/h.

The grand daddy of them all, the Porsche Cayenne Turbo, could warrant an entire dissertation on its own, but we’ll give you the short version in-line with our brief stint behind the wheel. Rocketed forward by the same 4.8-litre V8 found in the Cayenne S, but force-fed by twin-turbochargers, the Cayenne Turbo is able to transfer all 368 kW and 700 Nm of torque to the road through a blend of electronic and mechanical traction aids. The results pin you to your seat, with the 0 – 100 km/h sprint taking just 4.7 seconds and a top speed of 278 km/h. However, the performance figures are not the most impressive aspect of the Turbo. What impressed us most were its astounding handling dynamics that quite honestly give the laws of physics ‘the finger’. For a 2.1 tonne SUV, the Cayenne Turbo genuinely handles like a sports car, with limited bodyroll, superb composure through weight transfer in all directions and a set of fade-free brakes that shed speed as fast as you can say “stop”. The Cayenne Turbo has to be experienced to be believed. Simply put, Porsche have produced a driver’s SUV. Not convinced? Watch this video!

The second generation Porsche Cayenne offers a class leading blend of performance, efficiency and driving enjoyment. The Cayenne will undoubtedly continue to be Porsche’s number one selling model range, and rightly so, especially considering the brand status on offer at competitive prices.

Prices include a 3-year/90 000km warranty and maintenance plan.