2008 Porsche Cayenne features new engines, more aggressive styling

Although being one of the world's most successful automakers, the German Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG is still struggling to make profitable its ill-fated Porsche Cayenne SUV. The SUV is technically brilliant, all right, but its very off-road ideology is not congruent with an image of the company, which is considered the best in making the on-road sports vehicles.

Trying to give its new Porsche Cayenne a little bit more sex appeal, the company has introduced a new range of bigger, mightier engines and made the Cayenne's styling much more aggressive and dynamic.

The new members of the Porsche Cayenne family were unveiled on Monday at the North American International Auto Show in the Cobo Center, where the public could actually see the latest Porsche Cayenne, Porsche Cayenne S and top of the range Porsche Cayenne Turbo SUVs.

Having a base price of $43,400, the 2008 Porsche Cayenne will be offered with a 3.6-liter V6 engine, capable of producing 290 hp and still mediocre for the brand 283 lb-ft (383 Nm) of torque.

Standing in the middle of the range, the new Porsche Cayenne S, will be offered with a base price tag of some $57,900 and will sport a much more impressive 4.8-liter V8 engine, generating 385 hp and 369 lb-ft (501 Nm) of torque.



The most expensive 2008 Porsche Cayenne Turbo will be priced at $93,700 and will be equipped with a twin-turbocharged version of the 4.8-liter V8, pumping out 500 hp and producing almost enormous 516 lb-ft (700 Nm) of torque. No wonder that the hottest Cayenne jumps from zero to 60 mph (96 km/h) in a mere 4.9 seconds and achieves a top speed of 171 mph (275 km/h).

Porsche also says that, although being more powerful, the new engines provide better fuel efficiency than the older powerplants.

The SUVs will be safer too. New Porsche Cayenne family members may be ordered with the latest Dynamic Curve Lights adaptive lighting system (standard on the Porsche Cayenne Turbo), accompanied with Porsche Stability Management, new Trailer Stability Control, and off-road anti-lock breaking system (ABS). There will also be present a rollover sensor, and six standard airbags.



See also: Edo Competition Porsche Cayenne Turbo

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