Porsche released a number of updates and upgrades for their family cars, Panamera and Cayenne. The Panamera gets new options and the Cayenne a more refined diesel engine. Cayenne Hybrid and Turbo also benefit from some changes.
The Cayenne Diesel’s three-litre V6 has been upgraded to 245 hp, 5 hp more than previously while fuel economy rises to 39 mpg from 38.2mpg, and CO2 emissions drop to 189 g/km, six less than before. The extra power has a very slight effect on the performance: the acceleration time from 0 – 62 mph has been cut by 0.2 seconds to 7.6 seconds, and top speed is up 2mph to 137mph. Insignificant.
The diesel Cayenne has also been on a diet to lose a couple of stones. For example, the crankshaft has been redesigned with fewer counterweights and hollow bores to make it lighter and more free-revving than previously. The package of measures also removed 20 kg from the weight of the V6 engine. Despite that the car still has an unladen weight of 2080 kilograms.
As for the hybrid, they’ve addressed the issue with cold start on electric motor which didn’t allow drive and manoeuvre at low speed on electric power alone. It is now OK to do that!
A new range of Porsche Exclusive options for the Cayenne models have been introduced. As with the Panamera Turbo, a Powerkit is now on offer for the Cayenne Turbo, boosting the maximum power by 40 hp to 540 hp. Maximum torque increases by 50 Nm to 750 Nm. Performance also improves to 4.6 seconds (0.1 s quicker) from 0 – 62 mph and the 176 mph top speed has improved by 3 mph. The Porsche Intelligent Performance philosophy ensures fuel consumption and emissions remain unchanged; with the optional Powerkit, the Cayenne returns 24.6mpg Combined and 270 g/km CO2.
To list of technical upgrades include two new turbochargers – with titanium-aluminium turbine wheels – and adjustments to the engine electronics, upgraded cooling system, Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB) with 420 mm discs, and optional 20 inch collapsible spare wheel available for vehicles equipped with this system.
Cosmetic changes you can order for your Cayenne now include include tinted LED rear lights, Bi-Xenon headlights in black including Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS) and quad sports exhaust tailpipes. For the interior you get new decorative stitching and leather packages as well as the distinctive Yachting Mahogany wood treatment. A milled aluminium Tiptronic-S gear selector lever and new stainless steel and carbon door sill guards are also available.
As mentioned there are new options available for the Panamera as well, chief among which a new wireless internet access. Further options available from the autumn include the Lane Change Assist system adapted from the Cayenne. This monitors the area behind and to the side of the vehicle, as well as the critical ‘blind spot’, and informs the driver via a signal in the exterior mirror if the system has located another vehicle in the adjacent lane. The Lane Change Assist system can be activated by a switch on the driver’s door and operates between 19 and 156 mph. New Porsche Exclusive options for the Panamera exterior are Bi-Xenon headlights in black including Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS) and a redesigned sports exhaust tailpipe.
Pricing details for the upgraded range and options will be confirmed nearer the on-sale date of June 2011.
