Porsche Asia holds track day at Sepang for all-new Cayenne

The late Dr. Ferry Porsche, designer of the iconic 911 said in 1989, “If we built an off-road vehicle according to our standards of quality, and it had a Porsche crest on the front, people will buy it.”

Being the true automotive visionary that he is, he saw the future and he was right.

Last year, Porsche unveiled the all-new 3rd generation Cayenne in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen with more than 760,000 units sold since 2002. The previous two generations sold over 760,000 units since it came out in 2002.

The new flagship SUV promises to combine even more of the typical Porsche performance but with excellent everyday practicality.

Despite additional performance and equipment enhancements, the all-new Cayenne is leaner by 65 kilos, thanks to its intelligent lightweight construction.

During the world premiere, only two variants were introduced, with turbocharged six-cylinder petrol engines: the base model Cayenne with a 340 hp engine, and the Cayenne S with 440 hp. (The 550 hp Cayenne Turbo was introduced later.)

“We have completely redeveloped our successful model. It has been visibly and tangibly improved and perfected in all respects. The Cayenne has also been digitalized and networked throughout to give it a forward-thinking design,” said Oliver Blume, chairman of the Executive Board at Porsche AG during the world premiere.

Porsche Asia Pacific (PAP) held a track day for the regional media at the famed Sepang International Circuit (SIC) in time for the regional launch of the Cayenne.

It was also a chance for most of the media to meet its new managing director for PAP, Arthur Willmann, who said, “Porsche made history by building the world’s first sports car in the SUV segment back in 2002; some considered this to even be a controversial move. The development goal was as simple as it was ambitious. The Cayenne was to become a genuine Porsche, offering combination of performance and functionality, both on road and offroad. Today, the new Cayenne is without doubt, the best Cayenne there has ever been, and is set to continue the success story begun by its predecessors. So, through this media event, our aim is to showcase how the 3rd generation of our successful SUV model line measure up to the sportiest in its class.”

The 3rd generation Cayenne has an all-gasoline engine line up, mated with a new 8-speed Tiptronic S gearbox, new chassis systems, and innovative Porsche Advanced Cockpit display and control concept with total connectivity will take both sport and comfort to the next level.

The Cayenne comes with a 3-liter turbo engine, while the Cayenne S comes with a 2.9-liter V6 bi-turbo engine and the topline Cayenne Turbo variant with a bi-turbo V-8 engine.

Equipped with the optional sport chrono package, the new Cayenne S accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in less than 5 seconds.

In addition, the on-road capabilities are further improved by active all-wheel drive as standard, Porsche 4D chassis control, three-chamber air suspension, the Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) electronic roll stabilization system, and the newly developed, high-performance Porsche Surface Coated Brake (PSCB).

Despite its extended standard equipment, the Cayenne weighs up to 65 kilograms less than its predecessor, and remains perfectly suited to off-road use.