PORSCHE’S FIERY CAYENNE IS MORE PIQUANT THAN EVER, PEPPERED WITH TANTALIZING STYLE AND PERFORMANCE UPGRADES FOR 2024, INCLUDING A MEATY POWER BOOST

BY AMANDA McCOY

Today, with SUVs dominating market sales and filling more than half of the top 25 best selling badges list in the country (even with the top three slots continuing to get eaten by full size pickups), most exotic makers have released their interpretations: svelte high riders that slice through corners like a sports car but offer seating for four or five. Think Lambo’s Urus and Aston’s DBX. Even Ferrari recently debuted the Purosangue (though, to be fair, the Italian marque eschews the SUV designation, instead insisting on calling it a 2+2). In 2002, however, an elevated driver from a high performance sports car giant was far from the norm, but throughout its 92 year history, Porsche has never been one to fly under the radar. That year, an off road capable five seater with a track ready suspension rolled off the line in Stuttgart, and shock waves reverberated throughout all of autodom. The Cayenne changed everything.

“Establish, sharpen, refine,” is Michael Mauer’s, Porsche’s head of design, motto for the brand’s largest expression, and the Cayenne is currently in its third generation, its last full overhaul in 2017. But for 2024, it’s flying onto the scene with a suite of spicy upgrades, many borrowed from its brethren. A heated GT Sport steering wheel, for example, hails from the inimitable 911 and is finished with a switch to select the preferred drive mode. The Taycan lent its sophisticated dash, dubbed the Porsche Driver Experience, which optimizes the placement of driver input features and offers more digital real estate (including a new curved 12.6 inch instrument cluster). But perhaps the biggest news for the hungry SUV this year is performance, including the glorious return of the hallowed V 8 in the S models. The twin turbo 4.0L 8 cylinder replaces last year’s V 6, adding 34 additional ponies along with another 37 lb. ft. of torque, for a grand total of 468 and 442, respectively. It zips from 0 60 in 4.4 seconds with a top speed of 169 mph. The top end Turbo GT is still the most insatiable of all, offering track hungry pilots an increase of 19 hp, bringing its output up to 650 ponies with a 0 60 time of 3.1 seconds, earning the badge of the most powerful Cayenne ever. It’s also superbly dressed, featuring performance features like Porsche’s Dynamic Chassis Control, Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake, rear axle steering, Sport Exhaust system with titanium tailpipes, and 22 inch GT Design wheels fitted with ultra-high performance tires. The 2024 Cayenne starts around $80,000.

DRESS UP THE CAYENNE with a palette of new hues, including Algarve Blue Metallic (pictured here), Montego Blue Metallic, and Arctic Grey. Wheel options now span 20, 21, and 22 inches.

THE NEW CAYENNE FLAUNTS a new front end, boasting more athletically styled fenders, a reimagined hood, and redesigned headlights to emphasize the SUV’s ferocious stance.

THERE’S A SLATE OF PACKAGES to satiate different needs. The Sport Chrono suite offers expanded drive modes and a zesty launch control, while adventurers can add the Off Road package, offering extra underbody protection and Adaptive Air Suspension. For speedsters, the Lightweight Sport Package shaves up to 72 lbs. from the scale.

BE SURE TO CALL SHOTGUN, BECAUSE A 10.9 INCH DISPLAY is now available for the first time on the passenger side. This setup enriches the front passenger’s riding experience by displaying performance data, streaming video content, and providing separate access to the infotainment system controls. When streaming, a special layer on the screen ensures the driver can’t see the display.

FLEXING ITS INTELLIGENCE, the new Cayenne features several updated assistance features, too, including standard Active Speed Limit Assist, which takes Traffic Sign Recognition into account when using cruise control. Adaptive Cruise Control has also been enhanced with Evasion Assist, which can help the driver avoid obstacles in emergency situations via steering and braking input.

Porsche Monmouth

280 NJ 36, West Long Branch

732.734.8505 / porschemonmouth.com