Porsche Cayenne – performance and 0-60

Even in base form, the Cayenne is deceptively fast. Wind up the V6 and it feels hot-hatch quick, reaching 62mph from rest in 6sec with a distant (if slightly coarse) crescendo towards the 6500rpm red line. It’s not a particularly inspiring engine, but it’s a flexible unit with enough mid-range pull for effortless daily driving, and the gearbox shuffles through its eight ratios smoothly in the background. Take manual control and the shifts don't hit home with the immediacy of a PDK ‘box, but there isn't a yawning delay either.

The numbers only get more impressive from here though, with the E-Hybrid reaching 62mph in 4.9sec. The non-hybrid S completes the same sprint in 5sec, with the GTS cutting this down to 4.7sec, matching the S E-Hybrid. The flagship Turbo E-Hybrid, meanwhile, completes the benchmark in a blistering 3.7sec, running onto a 183mph top speed.

We haven't driven the updated hybrid models yet, but previous experience says that while they're fast on paper, the extra weight of the hybrid system makes itself known under acceleration and braking – which could be even more pronounced given that the latest PHEV Cayennes use a bigger battery than before. 

Whether that will translate to a cumbersome feel remains to be seen, although we'd be surprised if the 729bhp Turbo E-Hybrid feels anything less than ballistic – it's the most powerful Cayenne ever built, after all...