Nothing like Carmine Red on a brilliant day.
Porsche
Porsche makes among the world’s best six-cylinder engines, however there’s simply no substitute for the sound and fury of a bangin’ V8. That’s why I’m stoked in regards to the 2021 Cayenne GTS, which ditches its previous V6 for one hell of a twin-turbo V8. Does it change the general GTS bundle? Not actually and that is OK. The V8 merely provides an entire lot of character, enhancing the enchantment of this glorious efficiency SUV.
LikePowerful V8 with numerous characterOne of the best-handling SUVs roundComfortin a position rideGreat infotainment tech
Don’t LikeDriver-assistance choices value extraLess inside house than some rivals
The GTS’ 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 is identical one you will discover within the rootin’-tootin’ Cayenne Turbo, detuned on this utility to supply 453 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 457 pound-feet of torque at 1,800 rpm. Those are will increase of 13 hp and 15 lb-ft in comparison with the previous GTS’ V6, however this minor bump in energy does not inform the entire story.Instead, think about the hearty roar of the V8 upon startup that settles right into a bassy burble. The commonplace sport exhaust amplifies this sturdy soundtrack and digging into the throttle is like an on/off swap for the V8’s loud-and-proud tune. Use launch management — a part of the $1,130 Sport Chrono bundle — and the Cayenne GTS will scoot to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds on its method to a 168-mph prime pace. That’s 0.6 seconds faster than the previous GTS’ acceleration time, in addition to a 5-mph v-max enhance, if that is a bragging proper you care about. As with each Cayenne, all-wheel drive is commonplace, as is a smooth-shifting eight-speed computerized transmission. If you have been hoping the V8 would additionally mark the return of the Cayenne’s handbook transmission, I’m afraid you are SOL.
In addition to the V8 and sport exhaust, the Cayenne GTS has a normal adaptive air suspension with a 30-millimeter decrease journey top and Porsche’s torque-vectoring tech. On prime of these, my Carmine Red take a look at automobile has just a few different worthwhile upgrades, together with rear-axle steering ($1,620) and Porsche’s Dynamic Chassis Control dampers ($3,590).Every Cayenne is a peach to drive, however the GTS is certainly one of the best of the bunch. The steering is gentle and direct and way more communicative than different sporty SUVs, and with the additional rear-axle help, the GTS is much more proficient to canyon carving than you may anticipate. The adaptive chassis tech retains the Cayenne hunkered down and planted in tight corners, with subsequent to no physique roll in its Sport and Sport Plus drive modes. You can push this Cayenne such as you would a 911 and it is very happy to play alongside.
The GTS’ V8 produces 453 horsepower.
Porsche
Switch over to Comfort, nonetheless, and the journey is downright plush, even with 21-inch wheels and summer season tires. Highway enlargement joints are comfortably dispatched and the GTS rides with luxurious solidity. This SUV has an excellent dynamic breadth, in a position to present correct consolation and compliance once you’re toddling round city however remodel into an absolute hoot and a half when the highway will get twisty. Compared to different sporty SUVs, the Cayenne GTS is best on each ends of this on-road spectrum.
Porsche affords a lot of driver-assistance applied sciences that make life a little bit simpler, although as ordinary, many of the great things prices additional. My Cayenne GTS tester rings up for $130,250 together with $1,350 for vacation spot, however lacks lane-keeping help and adaptive cruise management. Even the surround-view digital camera system accounts for $1,200 of that as-tested value. On the opposite hand, this a-la-carte optioning system means you are not paying for applied sciences you will by no means use which can be bundled into different choices packages. Still, the truth that a six-figure luxurious SUV does not have a few of these options commonplace is fairly absurd.The solely different downside, to nobody’s shock, is gas financial system. The EPA charges the 2021 Cayenne GTS at 15 mpg metropolis, 19 mpg freeway and 17 mpg mixed, and in the event you drive this SUV the best way it is meant to be pushed, you will routinely see numbers within the low-to-mid teenagers. If effectivity is a precedence, possibly the Cayenne E-Hybrid is extra your jam.The GTS’ inside is as good as every other Cayenne’s.
Porsche
A normal Sport Design bundle is a part of the Cayenne GTS remedy, with 21-inch black wheels, distinctive bumpers, adaptive LED lighting and aluminum inside trim. Porsche is not one to limit personalization potentialities, in fact, so be at liberty to peruse the 14 obtainable 21- and 22-inch wheel choices, in addition to the 11 exterior colours and 11 inside schemes. Want a customized shade? Feel free to select from Porsche’s intensive paint catalog — for a $11,430 upcharge, natch.Creature comforts and onboard tech match what you get in different Cayennes, with the Porsche Communication Management infotainment software program housed in a crisp and responsive 12.3-inch touchscreen. No, this is not the up to date PCM that is slowly making its approach into new Porsches, so meaning Android Auto nonetheless is not supported. Apple CarPlay is, thank goodness, and wirelessly at that.The Cayenne’s sport seats supply numerous help and are tremendous comfortable for longer drives and a $2,970 GTS inside bundle provides distinction stitching and seat belts in both Chalk or Carmine Red. Driver and passenger will not complain a couple of lack of head- or legroom, although the again seat is not as capacious as different sporty luxurious SUVs. Ditto the cargo maintain which, with a most of 60.3 cubic toes of house, falls behind among the Cayenne’s rivals.The Cayenne GTS is likely one of the best-driving SUVs round.
Porsche
If you are way more involved with operate over type, Porsche affords the Cayenne GTS in trendy crossover-coupe type, with a quicker roofline and fewer inside house — and a $2,700 value hike. Opting for the Cayenne GTS Coupe unlocks the completely rad houndstooth seat material choice, although it requires the addition of a $8,670 Lightweight Sport bundle, which provides carbon fiber inside trim, a carbon fiber roof, 22-inch wheels and center-mounted exhaust. I freaking love these houndstooth seats, however rattling, that is an entire lot of cash.No matter the way you slice it, the Cayenne GTS is not precisely an inexpensive proposition, beginning at $110,350 together with $1,350 for vacation spot. You’ll pay barely much less for a 600-hp BMW X5 M, although a 603-hp Mercedes-AMG GLE63 S really prices extra. Those efficiency SUVs are definitely higher geared up to battle a Cayenne Turbo, although the GTS matches them in value. And despite the fact that the Bimmer and Merc throw down greater outputs and faster acceleration instances, the Cayenne is each extra snug and extra rewarding to drive.Moreover, the GTS stands out as the actual star of the Cayenne lineup, with arguably one of the best stability of efficiency and luxury. Plus, it is $20,900 cheaper than a Cayenne Turbo whereas providing the identical pleasure and character that solely comes from a candy V8 engine.