Porsche Cayenne – performance and 0-60
The base Cayenne is brisk, and the top-level Turbo E-Hybrid churns out spectacular numbers
Even in base form, the Cayenne is deceptively fast. Wind up the V6 and it feels hot-hatch quick, reaching 62mph from rest in 6sec with a distant (if slightly coarse) crescendo towards the 6500rpm red line. It’s not a particularly inspiring engine, but it’s a flexible unit with enough mid-range pull for effortless daily driving, and the gearbox shuffles through its eight ratios smoothly in the background. Take manual control and the shifts don't hit home with the immediacy of a PDK ‘box, but there isn't a yawning delay either.
The numbers only get more impressive from here though, with the E-Hybrid reaching 62mph in 4.9sec. The non-hybrid S completes the same sprint in 5sec, with the GTS cutting this down to 4.7sec, matching the S E-Hybrid. The flagship Turbo E-Hybrid, meanwhile, completes the benchmark in a blistering 3.7sec, running onto a 183mph top speed.
The 729bhp Turbo E-Hybrid is the most powerful Cayenne ever built, and predictably, it's ballistic. You can feel that the powertrain is working hard against the car's mass (a considerable 2495kg), but traction is formidable and there's huge muscle from low revs. Once the V8 hits its stride it piles on speed effortlessly.
