Porsche's techno off-roader

PORSCHE'S first five-door will offer well-heeled off-road buyers a range of innovative new suspension and drivetrain technologies to go with its formidable performance, according to the latest Cayenne information released from the Zuffenhausen factory.

Issued late last week, the information and several new photos of the car are the latest in an orchestrated pre-release campaign which will culminate in Cayenne's unveiling at the Paris motor show in September.

The Cayenne will then go on sale in Australia in March, 2003.

The photos show the exterior of the Cayenne in a more flattering light than the first pictures issued at the Geneva show in March, which triggered European press criticism of the car's bulky look, particularly its hindquarters.

Also included this time is a look at the all-new interior that shows a typically dark European cabin comprising a familiar Porsche coupe-style hooded binnacle.

Instruments include a large 6500rpm-redline tacho and 300km/h speedo, which overlap a large central suspension systems information display.

Cayenne's centre console houses a large satellite navigation and climate control monitor. The new tri-spoke steering wheel design incorporates large telephone, audio and sat-nav controls, as well as toggling gear selection buttons.

The pictures also reveal slotted alloy pedals and twin central grabrails either side of the lower centre console, which houses the active suspension control panel and sequential manual gearshift gate.

In a bid to better its SUV rivals - including the jointly developed Volkswagen Touareg - and to ensure "an optimum blend of supreme on-road and equally outstanding off-road driving qualities", Porsche has equipped Cayenne with a number of innovative new suspension and traction aids.

First, both the V8-engined Cayenne S and twin-turbo V8-powered Cayenne Turbo will feature the Porsche Traction Management (PTM) four-wheel drive system as standard.

Feeding 62 per cent of engine power to the rear wheels and 38 per cent to the front wheels in "basic" mode, PTM has the ability to transmit 100 per cent of power to either the front or rear end whenever necessary via an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch.

A longitudinal differential lock works in concert with an optional torque sensing rear differential and, as previously reported, the PTM system operates in conjunction with Porsche Stability Management (PSM) - which controls ABS, ASR and ABD functions.

Cayenne suspension details were also announced on Friday with an extra large double track control arm configuration mounted to its own subframe up front and another all-new Porsche suspension design, this time a multi-link set-up, residing out back.

Cayenne S will be optionally available with the Cayenne Turbo's pneumatic, air-controlled spring suspension, which comprises six different ride height levels, is self-levelling and automatically lowers the suspension (over a range of 116mm) as speeds rise.

At speeds exceeding 210km/h, the suspension employs its extra-low ride height of 11mm below the regular low setting, while at the special off-road level (available only at speeds up to 30km/h) Cayenne rises to a maximum ground clearance of 273mm.

Furthermore, the pneumatic suspension system is offered in combination with a new variable damping system dubbed Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM).

Managed electronically via five accelerometers monitoring body movement, the system operates in a similar way to an adaptive automatic transmission. Alternatively, Cayenne drivers can select their own suspension damping setting via a choice of Comfort, Normal and Sports modes.

In what Porsche says is a first, activation of low range (with a gear ratio of 2.7:1), via a single toggle switch on the centre console, automatically prepares several control systems for off-road action.

PTM selects the appropriate off-road gear ratio and activates a special off-road control map for the diff locks, PSM switches on the traction-oriented off-road ABS and ABD system and, in the Cayenne Turbo, the pneumatic suspension changes to its off-road ride height. A second press of the off-road switch engages the front to rear longitudinal diff lock.

Another Cayenne option will be the Advanced Off-Road Technology Package, comprising side protection, a steel radiator plate and rear differential lock, activated by pressing the central off-road switch a third time.

The off-road pack also includes hydraulically activated front and rear rollbars via another centre console switch. When activated the system increases axle lock both front and rear by 70mm and increases ride comfort by reducing bodyroll. When deactivated (possible only in low range), it "enhances off-road driving qualities and traction when driving over rocks, tree trunks or big bumps". The anti-roll bars are automatically connected again once the vehicle exceeds 50km/h.

Porsche Cars Australia will launch both V8 Cayenne models simultaneously in late March or early April, 2003, and hopes to sell 480 units before the end of Porsche's financial year on July 31.

After its first full year on sale, however, it expects to have sold about 800 (V8-only) Cayennes - which would almost double PCA's 2001 sales volume of 812 units.

"Interest in Cayenne is extremely good," PCA director of marketing and sales Michael Bartsch said.

"We have a current order bank of between 160 and 170 Cayennes, but without specifications or pricing having been confirmed, I consider them more expressions of interest.

"We've developed an online Cayenne internet program and currently have around 3500 registered users, which is very promising."Mr Bartsch confirmed a 3.2-litre, V6-powered entry level Cayenne would eventually join its V8 siblings, "but not during 2003".

The naturally aspirated, V8-powered Cayenne S is expected to comprise 50 per cent of Cayenne volumes locally, at a price of around $140,000 - to match BMW's X5 4.6is, the Mercedes-Benz ML55 AMG and Range Rover Vogue - while the Cayenne Turbo will sell at entry level 911 coupe money, or slightly under $200,000.

Specifications:

	Cayenne S	Cayenne Turbo
Induction	intake manifold	twin-turbo, intercooled
Peak power	250kW @ 6000rpm	331kW @ 6000rpm
Peak torque	420Nm @ 2500rpm	620Nm @ 2250rpm
GVM	3060kg	3080kg
GCM	3500kg	3500kg
Payload	815kg	725kg
Length	4782mm	4786mm
Width	1928mm	1928mm
Height	1699mm	1699mm
Wheelbase	2855mm	2855mm
Front track	1647mm	1647mm
Rear track	1662mm	1662mm
Min. ground clearance	217mm	157mm
Max. ground clearance	217mm	273mm
Top speed	242km/h	266km/h
0-100km/h	7.2 seconds	5.6 seconds

Engine: 4.511-litre liquid-cooled front-mounted longitudinal V8
Drivetrain: full-time four-wheel drive
Front suspension: double-track control arm
Rear suspension: multi-track control arm
Steering: variable-ratio power-assisted rack and pinion
Brakes: Front: ventilated discs with six-piston aluminium monobloc fixed callipers. Rear: ventilated discs with four-piston aluminium monobloc fixed callipersWheels: 8.0J x 18-inch alloys
Tyres: 255/55 R18