This Really Is The New Porsche Cayenne, Honest

While the Porsche Cayenne is a pretty divisive car on CT, a new one is definitely worth a look. We promise this is actually the new one, but even we had to double-check we’d used the correct images…

This is the third generation in the controversial SUV’s lifetime and its ethos moves more than ever towards the best technology the Volkswagen Group can lay its hands on. Starting at the basics, while the wheelbase is the same as the old car’s, this one is longer by 63mm and a fairly inconsequential 9mm has been shaved off the overall height.

You can’t fail to miss the familiar grille, which is so large you could probably hide a Death Star behind it, so we’ll move on to the more interesting back end. A 911-style full-width horizontal strip joins the two tail light clusters and gives the Porsche logo some backing. Behind the powered tailgate is a 770-litre boot – that’s 100 litres more than before.

The interior is basically transplanted from the latest Panamera, with the addition of some grab handles and extra controls for the four-wheel drive system. The layout is pretty different to the old car’s, with a lot of the previously button-based functions having been moved to the 12.3-inch touchscreen.

It’s based on the same chassis architecture as the Audi Q7 and Bentley Bentayga, but produced to Porsche’s own specs. The engine range will carry on much like before, with a 3.0-litre single-turbo V6 opening proceedings with 335bhp and 332lb ft of torque. That will make it good for 0-62mph in 6.2 seconds and a 152mph top speed.

A twin-turbo 2.9-litre V6 will be at the heart of the Cayenne S. It has 434bhp and 406lb ft, slashing a second off the base car’s 0-62mph time and raising top speed to 165mph. Above that will be multiple diesels, Turbo, Turbo S and hybrid models. Prices will start at £55,965 in the UK, but expect six-figure sums for the top end of the range.