Cayenne Turbo GT debuts Down Under

PORSCHE gave its 471kW Cayenne Turbo GT an on-track debut at Albert Park, Melbourne during the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix weekend. The range-topping large SUV is available exclusively in four-seat Coupe guise and is fitted with performance tyres developed specially for this variant.

The 4.0-litre biturbo V8 performance-SUV turned heads at the Victorian street circuit with former Bathurst 1000 winner and chief driving instructor for Porsche Track Experience, Luke Youlden, and Porsche Supercup pilot Sam Power showcasing the model’s heightened driving dynamics.

Riding 17mm lower (in its most focused suspension setting) than the Cayenne Turbo Coupe, the GT has undergone some significant chassis recalibration and features increased engine outputs.

Now developing 471kW/850Nm, the new range-topping variant Cayenne GT’s 4.0-litre biturbo V8 has gained 67kW/80Nm over the regular Turbo and, as a result, it is said to accelerate from zero to 100km/h in six tenths quicker (3.3 seconds) and on to a top whack of 300km/h (up 14km/h).

More than just a boost increase, the uprated V8 has a different crankshaft, con-rods, pistons, timing chain drive and vibration dampers to the Cayenne Turbo as well as modifications to the turbos fuel injection, air intake and intercooler.

There’s also a GT-specific centre-exit exhaust with titanium rear muffler and no centre muffler – both of which help reduce weight – plus additional cooling for the all-wheel-drive system’s transfer case and quicker-shifting logic for the eight-speed transmission.

Rigidity of the three-chamber air suspension set-up has been increased by 15 per cent and adaptive damper settings re-tuned to suit, along with calibrations of the speed-sensitive power steering and rear-wheel steering systems.

The active sway control system has also been beefed up for improved turn-in precision at higher speeds, roadholding, and roll stability, while the torque vectoring, traction- and stability control and other electronic chassis systems have been tweaked to ensure all the GT’s mods work in harmony.

Helping maximise the contact patch of the GT-specific 22-inch Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres is almost half a degree of negative camber – the front tyres are an inch wider than those of the Turbo.

From a cosmetic point of view, the Cayenne Turbo GT is differentiated from its Cayenne Turbo Coupe sibling by virtue of a variant-specific front bumper with enlarged side intakes, which merge with the central aperture to produce a gaping grille effect, underlined by a prominent splitter.

Along the sides, black wheelarch extensions highlight the gold-like Neodyme colour of the thin-spoked 22-inch alloys, behind which the carbon-ceramic brakes and yellow callipers are visible.

Meanwhile, carbon-fibre winglets are added to the roof spoiler and another panel extends the lip of the adaptive rear wing by 25mm, which Porsche claims improves downforce by 40kg at the GT’s triple-ton top speed. Finally, the fat twin tailpipes are housed in a chunky carbon-fibre diffuser.

Inside, the GT is the first Cayenne to get Porsche’s latest infotainment tech with Android Auto joining Apple CarPlay, which now has deeper integration of Apple Music and -Podcasts.

GT-specific perforated Alcantara trim for the eight-way adjustable sports seats with ‘turbo GT’ branding on the headrests can be specified with Neodyme or Arctic Grey contrast highlights. A yellow straight-ahead market is stitched onto the sports steering wheel.

Australian standard equipment includes four-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control with emergency assist, lane-change assist, side airbags for rear occupants, DAB+ digital radio, surround-view cameras, a head-up display, keyless entry and start, rear privacy glass, front and rear parking sensors and a 20-inch collapsible spare wheel.

The Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT retails for $336,100 (before options and on-road costs).