Following the successful worldwide launch of the Porsche Cayenne -- success measured in many ways including two top magazine awards and more than 7,300 Cayenne S and Cayenne Turbo V8 models sold in North America to date -- Stuttgart, Germany-based Dr. Ing. h. c. F. Porsche AG today announced the introduction of a third Cayenne model, which will be powered by a six-cylinder engine. It will debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show in September and subsequently go on sale in Germany and Europe.
Once it is introduced in North America during the first half of 2004, this latest Cayenne model -- named simply Cayenne -- will feature the same standard-setting on- and off-pavement capabilities of its V8-powered siblings while offering its own impressive performance figures. It can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph (0 to 100 km/h) in 9.1 seconds and has a top test track speed of 133 mph (214 km/h).
The Cayenne will have a V6 engine, the first ever offered in a Porsche. Engineers at Porsche further developed the stock engine and modified it for the most severe off-pavement driving conditions. It has four valves per cylinder and produces 247 horsepower (SAE) at 6,000 rpm and 229 lb.-ft. of torque between 2,500 and 5,500 rpm.
Aside from its power source, the Cayenne will offer all of the features first introduced on the Cayenne S and Turbo, including the Porsche Traction Management permanent four-wheel drive system, Porsche Stability Management and air suspension.
Since its arrival at the end of 2002, the Porsche Cayenne has been making a name for itself in the vibrant luxury sport utility segment, offering best- in-class on-pavement driving characteristics and exceptional off-pavement performance. In 2003, AutoWeek Magazine readers named the Cayenne the Best SUV/Off-Road Vehicle as part of the magazine's 14th Annual "America's Best" Survey. The Robb Report also presented its "Robb Report Best of the Best 2003" award to the Cayenne in the sport utility segment.
This latest addition to the Cayenne line-up will expand Porsche's potential customer base within the high-end SUV segment and will provide more opportunities for Porsche's 204 North American dealers.
