Skip advert
Advertisement

Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT revealed – 631bhp pure IC flagship debuts

Porsche is going all out with its latest Cayenne derivative, packing 631bhp, a coupe-only body and no hybrid bits in sight

Is it just us or do super high-performance SUVs seem to be coming on stream thicker and faster than ever before? Whether this is responding to the market, or a ploy to squeeze them out before legislation and inevitably buyer interest deem them unnecessary and wasteful (we’ve been saying that for years), who knows? The latest addition to the fold is from Porsche, and short of tastelessly deploying a full-house GT badge to the rump of a Cayenne, Porsche has taken it nearly that far and created another new variant: the Cayenne Turbo GT.

Advertisement - Article continues below

On first acquaintance, anyone with a half-decent knowledge of the Volkswagen Group’s penchant for shared components might be forgiven for thinking this is nothing more than an application of the 631bhp V8 variant from the Panamera Turbo S, but dig into the details and there’s actually lots of bespoke calibration work going on here, and given that the new Aston Martin DBX has well and truly stolen the Cayenne’s crown in the driving stakes, it’s no surprise to see a response.

> New 992 Porsche 911 GT3 Touring revealed – now available in manual and PDK

Oddly, despite being touted as the Cayenne’s performance flagship, the even more powerful Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid is still in the range with 671bhp, but with almost 2500kg to move about is certainly not the most agile or engaging Cayenne to drive.

Instead, the Turbo GT is the most potent application of Porsche’s 4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine without any electrical assistance. Rated at 631bhp, and with 627lb ft of torque, move past the temptation to consider this as little more than an ECU upgrade because at this level Porsche has done the hard work by uprating almost all of the internals, including the use of a new crankshaft, connecting rods and pistons.

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Advertisement - Article continues below

The standard-fit sports exhaust system is also recalibrated to give the V8 a bit more of a voice, while the eight-speed torque converter has picked up new software, making the shifts shorter, sharper and more responsive to the standard-fit paddles behind the steering wheel. Porsche has also fitted a water-cooling system for the transmission and the transfer case, such are the forces being thrown up and down the drivetrain.

In terms of hardware, Porsche has also not left anything off the table, integrating its active anti-roll bar system (PDCC), three-chamber air suspension and adaptive dampers (PASM), power torque vectoring (PTV) and rear-wheel steering as standard with unique calibrations in the Turbo GT. The Cayenne Turbo GT also sits 17mm lower in its standard driving mode, although like all air-sprung Cayennes, the ride height is adjustable.

The changes extend to the wheels and tyres too, with new 22-inch alloys that are an inch wider up front, wrapped in a bespoke Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyre. Ceramic brakes are also standard fit.

The Turbo GT is also only available in the more rakish coupe body style, and signifies its flagship status with a bespoke front bumper with larger openings and a different lower spoiler. There are also new carbonfibre details dotted around the interior and exterior, plus Porsche’s latest infotainment system and a new exterior paint option.

All in, you’ll be looking at £143,910 for the fully loaded model, making it around £20k more than the less able, less powerful but charismatic Maserati Levante Trofeo, and around £20k short of the Aston Martin DBX and Lamborghini Urus. The new model is available to order now from Porsche centres, and will be making its public debut in a few weeks’ time at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Audi Q8 review – refreshed BMW X6 rival feels slightly out-of-date
Audi Q8 – front
In-depth reviews

Audi Q8 review – refreshed BMW X6 rival feels slightly out-of-date

Audi has given the Q8 a light facelift, and though it’s a competent, refined SUV, it doesn’t move the game on from the 2018 original
13 Nov 2024
Mercedes-AMG G63 review – 577bhp truck is still a brute
Mercedes-AMG G63 front
Reviews

Mercedes-AMG G63 review – 577bhp truck is still a brute

A DBX707 or Range Rover Sport SV might be more competent, but the G63 has more presence than both combined
13 Nov 2024
Jaguar F-Pace (2016 - 2024) review
Jaguar F-Pace - front tracking
In-depth reviews

Jaguar F-Pace (2016 - 2024) review

The F-Pace has always looked and driven better than most of its rivals. In its final form, it has the interior and tech to match, too
8 Nov 2024
Porsche Cayenne review – a driver's SUV with the tech to back it up
Porsche Cayenne – front
In-depth reviews

Porsche Cayenne review – a driver's SUV with the tech to back it up

There's clear sporting DNA in the new Cayenne, and it now has the tech and processing power to rival the very best
30 Oct 2024
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Best hybrid cars 2025 – the best of both worlds
Best hybrid cars
Best cars

Best hybrid cars 2025 – the best of both worlds

Fast and furious on the right roads, silent and sensible when you want them to be. From supersaloons to supercars, these are our favourite hybrid perf…
11 Nov 2024
Used Jaguar F-Type (2013 - 2024) review and buyer’s guide
F Type header
Reviews

Used Jaguar F-Type (2013 - 2024) review and buyer’s guide

Stylish, sporty and still good to drive, the Jaguar F-Type is growing old very gracefully
8 Nov 2024
Volkswagen Golf R v Golf GTI Clubsport – car pictures of the week
Volkswagen Golf GTI v Golf R
Features

Volkswagen Golf R v Golf GTI Clubsport – car pictures of the week

In the latest issue of evo, we test the Mk8.5 Golf R against the GTI Clubsport – these are our favourite shots
10 Nov 2024