DRIVEN: Porsche Cayenne GTS adds the spice without insanity

There is something about the guttural roar of a V8 engine that resonates deep in my soul, and I know I’m far from alone in feeling that.

With ever-stricter emissions regulations and Europe looking to ban the sale of new internal combustion-engined cars from 2035, sadly it’s an indulgence that might not be around for too much longer.

But it’s encouraging to see how Porsche has democratised the eight-cylinder format, as much as such a thing can be at this price point, in its latest Cayenne line-up.

Heavily updated in 2023, the Cayenne offers V8 power in most versions, with the venerable 4-litre V8 producing 349kW and 600Nm in the Cayenne S, 368kW and 660Nm in the GTS, 485kW and 850Nm in the Turbo GT and a mighty 544kW and 950Nm in the Turbo e-hybrid.

The GTS, which we spent some time with recently, aims to hit a sweet spot in the line-up. Spicier than the regular models, but less outrageous and also somewhat more attainable than the turbo-badged variants.

You might not expect price to be a huge factor at this level, but consider that the Cayenne Turbo models are listed between R3,873,000 and R4,506,000, while the GTS is yours for R2,572,000 in its regular form and R2,653,000 as a ‘Coupe’.

It might not boast a great deal more power than the Cayenne S model, but the V8 in the GTS has undergone extensive technical revision compared with the previous iteration, while the eight-speed automatic gearbox offers shorter shift times in Sport and Sport Plus modes.

The GTS will sprint from 0-100km/h in 4.4 seconds, according to Porsche, making it 0.6 seconds quicker than the S and 0.7 seconds slower than the Turbo e-hybrid. The top speed is listed at 275km/h.

But what truly sets the GTS apart is its sportier chassis tuning. Not only is it 10mm lower to the ground than regular Cayennes, but it’s also equipped with adaptive air suspension as standard, along with Porsche Active Suspension Management and Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus.

You will however, have to pay extra for the Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) system.

The GTS also gets some tasty trimmings, including 21-inch RS Spyder-design wheels in anthracite grey, unique frontal design with larger air intakes, dark-tinted headlights and tail lights and a Sport Design package that brings High-Gloss Black treatment to body elements such as the side skirts, wheel arch extensions and side window trims.

It has more than enough, both visually and mechanically, to make it feel a good step above an ordinary Cayenne.

Given some open road to play with, it feels really brisk but it’s not incredibly fast and won’t push you back in your seat like the Turbo models will. But does it really have to? Personally I’d take that mood-lifting V8 rumble over a slightly faster acceleration time any day. With the exhaust flap liberated via a button on the console, it is loud and proud, but even in its quieter mode the engine is still enticingly audible.

The Cayenne is also one of the better-handling SUVs out there, as I got to experience first hand on a Sunday drive to Magaliesburg in the rain. 

The steering gives you a sense of connection to the road, and the vehicle is every bit as agile as you could expect from an SUV that’s not exactly small in size. But despite all the GTS mods, the ride quality never felt harsh or uncomfortable.

Porsche has done wonders in lending a balanced feel to the GTS.

The cabin has also been given some love, with a GT sports steering wheel, Race-Tex trimmings, eight-way adjustable sports seats and suede-like roof lining. A Bose surround sound system is also fitted to this model.

In addition, the Coupe features a panoramic glass roof as standard.

The 2023 facelift introduced a new display and control concept for the Cayenne, featuring 12.3-inch dual screens as well as an optional passenger-side screen.

The new cabin architecture places frequently used controls directly on or next to the steering wheel and thankfully there are still physical controls for the climate system as well as a traditional volume knob. 

The infotainment system is relatively easy to use, once you learn the lay of the land.

The material quality and overall finish are, of course, completely on point for Porsche.

This vehicle is reasonably practical too, but keep in mind that the Coupe version has a slightly smaller boot than the regular Cayenne, at 554 litres versus 656, and the sloping roofline does rob it of some rear headroom, which may affect taller occupants.

VERDICT

The Porsche Cayenne GTS strikes a fine balance within the range as a spicy model that’s not too over-the-top. It’s practical, luxurious and sporty, but won’t be up your alley if you’re looking for insane performance. But as enticing as the GTS is, we wouldn’t overlook the hugely competent Cayenne S, which is almost R200,000 less expensive.

IOL