First Drive Review
Porsche is in the enviable position of not having to update its product lineup very often because in recent years there have been record numbers of Porsche buyers. Indeed, this little boutique of a car company makes so much money that it's in the process of buying up a substantial stake in Volkswagen, Europe's largest automaker. So, it's something of an event when Porsche announces a major change to one of its models, this one being the Cayenne, which made its debut in 2003.
Porsche claims that the 2008 Cayenne is the "second generation" of the pricey SUV. Well, not quite. The truck's essential anatomy—the chassis, body sheetmetal, and basic running gear—are the same. The 2008 makeover is more about refining the Cayenne's look, powertrains, and suspension.
Visible changes include new headlights, front air intakes, redesigned exterior rearview mirrors, a larger rear decklid spoiler, new taillights, rear undercarriage diffuser, and redesigned exhaust tips. Though these are obviously cosmetic redesigns, Porsche says they combine for a "significant improvement of aerodynamics," with the Cayenne's drag coefficient down from 0.38 (V-6 model) and 0.39 (V-8 models) to 0.35 on all versions of the 2008 model.
More substantially, all three of the Cayenne's engines get boosts in power by virtue of displacement increases, direct fuel injection, variable valve control, and other refinements. The base Cayenne's original 3.2-liter V-6, which was good for 247 horsepower, is replaced by a 3.6-liter six that's rated at 290 hp. The mid-line S model's previous 340 hp, normally aspirated, 4.5-liter V-8 is trumped by a 4.8-liter V-8 that puts out 385 hp. And the 2008 Turbo's 500 hp, twin-turbo, 4.8-liter V-8 outpoints its predecessor 4.5-liter engine by 50 hp.
