Porsche used to build tanks and tractors, a historical fact not many people are aware of. After all, the brand has become synonymous with exhilarating speed and sexy sports cars. But it does demonstrate the automaker’s versatility in vehicle production. So, it puzzled me when Porsche received mixed reception to its introduction of the Cayenne, the first four-door Porsche, back in 2002.
Opinions have changed drastically some two decades later, with each successive update to the Cayenne. Today, it is one of Porsche’s best-selling models by volume and regularly occupies the top spot in certain regions around the world.
And we daresay the third and latest generation of the Porsche Cayenne is the best SUV on the market.
But don’t just take our word for it. We got two Porsche Club Singapore members and massive car enthusiasts, Dr. Shane Abucewicz Tan and Gavin Sung, to take the Porsche Cayenne out for a spin. Powered by a 3.0-litre V6 engine, the car completes the century sprint in a mere 5.9 seconds with the Sports Chrono package.
You’ll need solid brakes for that kind of speed and the Germans have used the Cayenne to debut its new Porsche Surface Coated Brake. The tungsten carbide coating and improved engineering means you can push the car to the limit on corners.
And what fun it is, indeed, to careen into those lovely chicanes and feel the car’s response. Rear-axle steering and a new 48V electrical system helps the Cayenne respond quicker to road conditions, letting you focus on one thing – the pleasure of driving.
Watch the video above to find out what our two drivers thought about the new Cayenne.