CAYENNE : 2003 - TO DATE

A Porsche SUV? Yes, Stuttgart 's finest leaps off-road with the V8-engined Cayenne . Entry- level 4.5 litre S is more than a match for BMW's range topping X5 4.6iS, while the 450bhp, twin-turbocharged Cayenne Turbo is plain silly. 6-speed manual and 6-speed Tiptronic S gearboxes available. Sophisticated air suspension is standard fitment on Turbo, option on S, and allows driver to control ride height and damper settings. Off-road ability is impressive but not as impressive as how the Cayenne manages to hide its near 2.5 tonne bulk and drive like a well sorted saloon car.

Porsche set out to build the best SUV on the market which the Cayenne undoubtedly is - once you've got past its challenging looks, that is.

Cayenne - Wheelbase (mm): 2855

Length/Width (mm): 4782 (4786 Turbo)/1928

Significant developments: Introduced in 2003 with choice of normally aspirated or twin-turbocharged 4.5 litre V8, 6-speed manual gearbox for S and 6-speed Tiptronic S for Turbo (option on S). Porsche Active Suspension Management (PSM), adjustable ride height,

electronic damper control, differential locks, 6-pot calipers, 18" allows standard, 19 & 20" optional. Porsche Traction Management, PSM, ABS, ABD and ASR are all available.