Porsche Cayenne GTS (2008)

Performance Athlete

Introducing the Cayenne GTS, Porsche is once again setting the standard in the market segment of sports utility vehicles. This is the first model within the Cayenne range to feature a combination of steel springs and PASM Porsche Active Suspension Management, that is the suspension already well-known on Porsche's sports cars. A further point is that the Porsche Cayenne GTS is 24 millimetres or 0.95" lower than the Cayenne and Cayenne S, with this very exclusive sporting model coming as standard on 21-inch wheels measuring 295/35 in size.

V8 normal-aspiration power unit with even higher output

The superior V8 normal-aspiration power unit with DFI Direct Fuel Injection based on the powerful engine already featured in the Cayenne S ensures spontaneous power and performance at all times. The extra power of the engine comes to bear above all at higher engine speeds, with maximum output of 405 bhp (298 kW) at 6,500 rpm, an increase over the Cayenne S by 20 bhp. Maximum torque of 500 Newton-metres/369 lb-ft, in turn, comes at 3,500 rpm.

This increase in power and torque is the result of detailed refinement on the high-performance power unit, Porsche's engineers focusing above all on the intake manifold and ensuring an even smoother, unrestricted supply of air: Benefiting from the even larger cross-section of the Y-shaped air manifold, even more air is now able to reach the throttle butterfly in a smooth process, the throttle butterfly itself being enlarged in diameter from 76 to 82 millimetres (3.0 -3.2").

Sports Button for even better response

The Sports Button featured as standard in the Porsche Cayenne GTS offers the driver the choice of a basic setting for optimised fuel economy and particularly sports-oriented driving qualities in the Sports Mode. This special sports setting adjusts the accelerator pedal control map and modifies the response of the engine accordingly. A further point is that when pressing the Sports Button the driver also switches over the sports exhaust system likewise standard on the Cayenne GTS to even lower counter-pressure and activates the Sports Mode on Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM).

The Porsche Cayenne GTS comes as standard with a six-speed manual gearbox, that is the same transmission already featured on the Cayenne S. However, the final drive ratio on this new sports model has been shortened from 3.55:1 to 4.1:1. Together with the more powerful engine, the GTS thus offers even better acceleration and greater agility, ensuring a standard of performance quite exceptional in its class: Acceleration to 100 km/h comes in just 6.1 seconds, with the ultra-sporting and dynamic Cayenne GTS completing the interim sprint from 80 to 120 km/h (50-75 mph) in just 6.6 seconds. Top speed, finally, is 253 km/h or 157 mph.

Steel suspension and PASM Porsche Active Suspension Management

For the first time the Cayenne now comes with a combination of steel springs on the suspension with PASM Porsche Active Suspension Management, a high-tech adaptive damper system. Compared with the Cayenne S, the steel springs on the Porsche Cayenne GTS are firmer and tauter, and the entire vehicle is lowered by 24 millimetres or 0.95". At the same time camber on the front and rear wheels is somewhat more negative than on the "regular" Cayenne S, allowing the Cayenne GTS to achieve even higher lateral acceleration.

To match the steel springs, Porsche's engineers have developed a special variant of PASM Porsche Active Suspension Management, introducing a special control strategy for an even more sporting style of motoring. And like the PASM suspension on the other versions within the Cayenne range, PASM may be combined with air suspension also on the Porsche Cayenne GTS.

The superior standard of driving dynamics provided by the new Cayenne GTS from the start can be further enhanced by air suspension with PASM in conjunction with the optional PDCC Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control anti-roll stability system. This continuous, ongoing stability system limits side sway of the car in bends, providing almost complete compensation of body roll under nearly all driving conditions. Responding very quickly to specific requirements, PDCC is indeed able, through its active anti-roll bars, to build up appropriate support forces even before the body is able to start swaying in a bend.

Sporting look both outside and inside

The Porsche Cayenne GTS clearly expresses its outstanding status as a very sporting and dynamic model also through its looks. The front of the vehicle with its large air intakes and the powerful rear end are reminiscent of the particularly muscular look of the Cayenne Turbo. The wheel arches, in turn, are flared out an extra 14 millimetres or 0.55" to accommodate the Cayenne sport wheels running on 295/35 tyres. Black trim plates over the B- and C-pillars, as well as black window surrounds and door handles, finally, give the Cayenne GTS a particularly muscular appearance full of character at very first sight.

The highlight within the Porsche Cayenne GTS with its sophisticated fittings and features is the sporting but comfortable seats, the driver and front passenger enjoying life on 12-way sports seats with extra-high side support elements. Indeed, the seats adjust not only vertically and horizontally at the touch of a button, but also allow adjustment of the seat bottom angle and the backrest angle, as well as the lumbar support. And the rear seat bench, matching this configuration, also comes with individual seat contours reflecting the particular character of the car.

A Sports Utility of a Very Special Kind

The letters "GTS", as used by Porsche, stand for a perfect balance of long-distance driving qualities and sporting performance. Indeed, this applies particularly to the new Cayenne GTS, this high-performance variant of Porsche's outstanding eight-cylinder SUV once again setting the standard in the sports utility market.

Driving dynamics starts right at the "bottom", on a vehicle's chassis and suspension. Which is precisely why the Cayenne GTS is the first model within the Cayenne series to feature a combination of steel springs and PASM Porsche Active Suspension Management already well-known and highly appreciated on Porsche's sports cars.

A further point is that ride height on the Porsche Cayenne GTS is 24 millimetres or 0.94" lower than on the Cayenne and Cayenne S. And with its optional air suspension the GTS is 20 millimetres or 0.79" lower on the road than a Cayenne or Cayenne S featuring the same equipment.

This extra-dynamic and highly exclusive variant comes as standard on 21-inch wheels, the superior V8 normal-aspiration power unit featuring DFI Direct Fuel Injection based on the already muscular engine of the Cayenne S ensuring spontaneous power and performance at all times.

In this case, however, Porsche's engineers have given this four-valve high-tech power plant extra muscle, the 4.8-litre engine of the Porsche Cayenne GTS developing maximum output of 405 bhp (298 kW) at 6,500 rpm, 20 bhp more than in the Cayenne S.

This superior power is converted into equally superior performance and pulling force on the road in an ideal manner by the sporting six-speed manual gearbox featured as standard. The agility of the Porsche Cayenne GTS is further enhanced by the short final drive ratio, the manual gearbox model thus accelerating to 100 km/h in just 6.1 seconds.

Acceleration in gears is equally impressive, with this high-performance Cayenne completing the sprint from 80-120 km/h in a mere 6.6 seconds, two seconds faster than the Cayenne S. Top speed of the new Cayenne, in turn, is 253 km/h or 157 mph, and average fuel consumption on the Cayenne GTS with manual gearbox is 15.1 litres/100 kilometres (equal to 18.7 imp), while the optional Tiptronic S transmission reduces average fuel consumption to 13.9 litres/100 kilometres (equal to 20.3 mpg imp).

Wide and muscular

The extra-sporting Porsche Cayenne GTS highlights its particular character also through its looks: The front section with its large air intakes and the powerful rear end take up the special design of the Cayenne Turbo, side-sills from Porsche's Sports Design-Package give the GTS a particularly striking look also from the side.

A spoiler at the rear top serves to further enhance the streamlining of the Porsche Cayenne GTS and may be replaced as an option by an extended roof spoiler with a double-wing profile fitted in fixed position.

The wheel arches are flared by an extra 14 millimetres or 0.55" in order to accommodate 21-inch Cayenne sports wheels running on 295/35 tyres.

Measuring 1,957 millimetres or 77.0" in width, the Cayenne GTS stands strongly and firmly on the road, black trim covers above the B- and C-pillars as well as black window surrounds and door handles adding to the vehicle's characteristic appearance. And the fact that the GTS is a very special model within the Cayenne series is clearly visible at the rear, where the exclusive model designation as well as chrome-plated dual tailpipes and the sports exhaust system once again highlight the particular qualities of the Porsche Cayenne GTS.

A Genuine Performer all Round

The eight-cylinder power unit of the Porsche Cayenne GTS is based on the muscular engine already featured in the Cayenne S, boasting exactly the same basic design and configuration including features such as DFI Direct Fuel Injection interacting with adjustment of the intake camshafts and VarioCam Plus valve lift management.

The extra power of the engine in the Porsche Cayenne GTS is particularly evident at high speeds, the V8 power unit developing maximum output of 405 bhp (298 kW) at 6,500 rpm, an increase by 20 bhp or 15 kW over the Cayenne S.

Maximum torque of 500 Newton-metres or 369 lb-ft comes at 3,500 rpm, making it most appropriate to describe the eight-cylinder as a "champion in torque combined with superior agility for sports motoring of the highest standard".

This increase in engine power is the result of detailed, painstaking improvement of the high-performance power unit, Porsche's engineers focusing in particular on the intake manifold and making the flow of incoming air even smoother and more efficient: The greater cross-section of the Y-shaped air intake now ensures an even better flow of air to the throttle butterfly increased in diameter from 76 to 82 millimetres (2.99 - 3.23") in order to cope with this greater volume.

The result, again, is an even better cylinder charge in the eight combustion chambers, with the shift points for camshaft adjustment, the ignition control map, as well as injection timing and injection volume being modified accordingly.

The eight-cylinder also owes its "bullish" character to the controllable intake system, with the long intake manifold enabling the engine to develop superior torque from low engine speeds while the short intake manifold serves to boost output at high revs.

To ensure an ample supply of oil under all driving conditions, the V8 comes with integrated dry sump lubrication. Hence, the eight-cylinder power unit featured in the Porsche Cayenne GTS also uses a variable oil pump varying its supply volume via oil pressure-controlled, hydraulic adjustment of gear width. This serves, first, to reduce the consumption of energy by the oil pump and, second, to guarantee an appropriate supply of lubricant to the engine under all load conditions. And like its sister models, the Porsche Cayenne GTS naturally complies in full with the Euro 4 emission limits.

Sports Button featured as standard

The Sports Button featured as standard in the Porsche Cayenne GTS gives the driver the option to "sharpen" the character of his vehicle to an even higher level simply at the touch of a button. This he does by means of the Sports Button positioned in the lower section of the centre console, giving the driver the choice of a basic setting for optimum fuel economy or a particularly sporting setting. In the Normal mode both engine management and transmission management on the optional Tiptronic S automatic transmission are programmed to a style of motoring with the main focus on medium engine speeds. As soon as the Sports mode is activated, on the other hand, with the instrument cluster displaying the word "Sport" for optimum clarity, the engine, thanks to its even steeper gas pedal control map, responds even more directly to the driver's commands and ensures an even more spontaneous and "harder" response to load change requirements.

The exhaust gases emitted by the engine flow through a sports exhaust system complete with a variable control flap in the main silencer switching over in the Sport mode to a particularly deep and muscular rumble. Indeed, the powerful sound of the engine is controlled and varied as a function of load, road speed, engine speed, and the transmission ratio.

Once the driver presses the Sports Button, PASM Porsche Active Suspension Management standard in the Cayenne GTS automatically switches over to the Sports programme of this variable damper system, lowering the entire vehicle in its ride height if the Cayenne S is fitted with air suspension available as an option.

PDCC Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control, an active chassis and suspension control system also available as an option, likewise switches over to the Sports mode when the driver presses the Sports Button. To deactivate the Sports mode, all the driver has to do is press the button again or switch off the ignition.

Gearbox with Drive Off Assistant

The Porsche Cayenne GTS comes as standard with a six-speed manual gearbox. While the individual gear ratios are the same as on the Cayenne S, the final drive ratio on this new high-performance model has been shortened from 3.55:1 to 4.1:1. In conjunction with the extra power of the engine, this gives the GTS even faster acceleration and greater agility for truly outstanding driving pleasure at all times. In practice, the Cayenne GTS is able to complete virtually every sprinting manoeuvre in gears even faster and more dynamically than the Cayenne S already truly outstanding in this respect. At the same time the enormous power of the engine enables the driver to opt whenever he wishes for a relaxed style of motoring at low engine speeds but high road speeds, shifting gears only occasionally.

The manual gearbox comes as standard in conjunction with the PDOA Porsche Drive Off Assistant. This highly effective assistance system offers the driver valuable support when setting off on an uphill gradiant, automatically intervening in the brakes to prevent the vehicle from rolling back. Then, as soon as the driver engages the clutch, PDOA takes back brake pressure and enables the Porsche Cayenne GTS to set off smoothly and safely even under difficult conditions.

The PDOA Porsche Drive Off Assistant is activated whenever the vehicle is parked with its engine running, with a forward gear in mesh, and with the driver pressing down the clutch and brake pedals at the same time. Then, as soon as the driver takes his foot off the brake pedal or releases the parking brake, PDOA maintains the brake pressure required until the driver engages the clutch. Should the driver interrupt the process of setting off, the brake power required is reinstated immediately.

Since PDOA does not serve as a replacement for the regular parking brake, the system is deactivated whenever the engine is not running.

Tiptronic S with an even more dynamic set-up

The Porsche Cayenne GTS is available as an option with Porsche's proven six-speed Tiptronic S automatic transmission. The shift points on this automatic gearbox have however been modified for the new Cayenne, reflecting the even more sporting and dynamic character of the vehicle. Accordingly, the final drive ratio of 4.1:1 is the same as on the manual gearbox, giving the Cayenne GTS a significantly higher standard of agility in the Sports mode than a Cayenne S featuring the same automatic transmission and equipment.

A further significant feature is the Hill-Holder function on the automatic transmission, acting in the same way as the Drive Off Assistant on the manual gearbox model to prevent the vehicle from rolling back when setting off in a forward gear on an uphill gradient.

The Standstill Release function, finally, helps the driver save fuel: Whenever the vehicle is parked on a flat surface, the incoming clutch on the Tiptronic S automatic transmission with a gear in mesh disconnects the engine from the powertrain, as long as the driver presses down the brake pedal.

Exclusive Sports Car Concept

Focusing on the Cayenne GTS, Porsche's chassis and suspension specialists have developed a unique combination of features making this special high-performance model equally unique within the Cayenne family: This is the first Cayenne to combine steel suspension with PASM Porsche Active Suspension Management for adaptive control of the dampers.

Compared with the Cayenne S, the steel springs on the Porsche Cayenne GTS are even firmer and more dynamic, at the same time lowering the entire vehicle by 24 millimetres or 0.94". Clearly, this means a lower centre of gravity and even greater stability in bends.

The front anti-roll bar is somewhat stiffer than on the Cayenne S, while the slightly more elastic set-up of the roll bars on the rear axle serve to give the Cayenne S the behaviour and handling of a sports car under load change, keeping the driver in control even in difficult manoeuvres.

Wheel camber front and rear is slightly more negative, enabling the Porsche Cayenne GTS to handle even faster lateral acceleration in dynamic manoeuvres.

Optional - air suspension with self-levelling

Like the Cayenne and Cayenne S, the new Cayenne GTS is available as an option with air suspension enhanced in this case to an even higher standard of sporting performance.

Here again, the entire body of the vehicle is lowered by 20 millimetres or 0.79" versus the ride height in a Cayenne S with air suspension. Torsional stiffness of the front anti-roll bar has been increased over the Cayenne S, side sway support improved accordingly and body roll reduced to a minimum. The driver will notice this in particular through the even smaller side roll of the vehicle and even greater precision in fast bends.

Fitted with air suspension, the Porsche Cayenne GTS offers even longer spring rebound travel on the rear axle. Integrated self-levelling serves additionally to maintain a consistent ride height regardless of the load the Cayenne GTS is carrying at any specific point in time. In particular, however, air suspension offers six different levels of ride height:

• In the Normal mode ground clearance is 195 millimetres or 7.68".
• As of a speed of 125 km/h or 77 mph, the entire body of the Porsche Cayenne GTS moves down automatically to its Low level 9 millimetres or 0.35" below Normal.
• As of a speed of 210 km/h or 130 mph, the entire vehicle moves down once again to its Extra-Low level 14 millimetres or 0.55" below Normal.
• In the Load level the Cayenne GTS drops 34 millimetres or 1.34" beneath the Normal level. However, this position is only maintained as long as the vehicle is at a standstill, thus serving to facilitate the process of loading and unloading with maximum ease and convenience. When setting off, therefore, the air suspension automatically lifts the Porsche Cayenne GTS up again to its Normal ride height.
• The Offroad level ensures greater ground clearance for rough terrain, raising the entire vehicle by 26 millimetres or 1.02" over the Normal level. This mode is limited to a top speed of 80 km/h or 50 mph.
• The Special Offroad level is intended for extreme terrain, lifting the entire vehicle by another 30 millimetres or 1.18" for maximum ground clearance of 251 millimetres or 9.88". The speed limit in this case is 30 km/h or 20 mph.

Specially developed active dampers

Porsche's engineers have developed a new version of PASM Porsche Active Suspension Management complete with steel springs exclusively for the Cayenne GTS. Since steel springs differ in their geometry and have different spring rates versus air springs, the inner construction of the new dampers has been modified accordingly and their control strategy is set up particularly for an even more sporting and dynamic style of motoring.

PASM Porsche Active Suspension Management allows infinite control of damper forces as a function of road conditions and the driver's style of motoring, enabling the driver to choose from three damper settings while driving - the Comfort, Normal and Sports programs.

PASM will intervene, for example, whenever the driver opts for a very dynamic style of motoring with fast acceleration and hard application of the brakes in order to counteract body roll or yaw.

PASM Porsche Active Suspension Management is also featured on the Porsche Cayenne GTS with optional air suspension. But while the PASM components in this case are the same as on the other versions of the Cayenne, the system's control strategy remains extra-sporting and dynamic also with this configuration.

PDCC for active roll stability

Fitted with PDCC Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control available as an option in conjunction with air suspension and PASM, the new Cayenne GTS offers an even higher standard of driving dynamics and performance. This infinite anti-roll system restricts body roll of the vehicle in bends, keeping the Cayenne GTS almost flat on the road in nearly all situations and allowing slight movement of the body only when the driver opts for an extremely sporting and dynamic style of motoring. As a result, the Porsche Cayenne GTS ensures not only significantly improved handling, but also a noticeable improvement of driving stability and motoring comfort.

PDCC is made up of two active anti-roll bars with hydraulic swivel motors integrated in the front and rear axles instead of conventional anti-roll bars. With its extra-fast response and the ability to build up a maximum pressure of up to 180 bar, PDCC, through these active anti-roll bars, is able to generate the counter-forces required before the body of the vehicle is able to roll to the side in a fast bend.

Extra-large and powerful brakes

The Cayenne GTS boasts a supreme brake system designed to fulfil even the most demanding and dynamic requirements: On the front axle inner-vented brake discs measuring 350 millimetres (13.78") in diameter and 34 millimetres (1.34") across and interacting with six-piston monobloc aluminium fixed callipers finished in red ensure superior stopping power under all conditions. The rear wheels also come with four-piston monobloc aluminium fixed-calliper brakes finished in red, interacting in this case with brake discs measuring 330 millimetres (12.99") in diameter and 28 millimetres (1.10") in width.

The brake functions typical of the Cayenne and enhanced in this case to an even higher standard pay off particularly under dynamic driving conditions. One example is that the brake system builds up pressure immediately when the driver takes back the gas pedal abruptly, ensuring an even shorter stopping distance when applying the brakes.

In addition, the Brake Assistant automatically builds up the brake pressure required for maximum deceleration whenever the brakes are applied in an emergency.

Yet another electronic assistance system helps the driver in extreme situations when towing a trailer, Trailer Stability Control recognising any pendulum or swaying motion of the trailer and interacting to stabilise the vehicle by applying the brakes individually as required on specific wheels.

Permanent PTM all-wheel drive for enhanced stability and extra traction

PTM Porsche Traction Management permanent all-wheel drive ensures an exceptional combination of outstanding onroad and offroad qualities also on the Porsche Cayenne GTS, distributing engine power in the basic mode in a 38:62 front-to-rear split. A multiple-plate clutch operated by an electric motor and controlled electronically then serves to vary the power split while driving according to current conditions, with PTM responding not only to any lack of traction, but also incorporating sensors to measure the speed of the vehicle, its lateral acceleration, the steering angle, and operation of the gas pedal, all in the interest of enhanced safety and even better control when driving to the limit.

Whenever driving offroad, the driver using PTM benefits from the low ratio gear integrated in the power divider, with its reduced gear ratio of 2.7:1. And should any of the wheels lose touch on the ground, PTM acts as a 100 per cent longitudinal lock to further improve traction and pulling force on the ground.

PSM Porsche Stability Management featured as standard on the Cayenne GTS interacts permanently with PTM but does not intervene until the vehicle has almost reached its extreme limit. Under critical over- or understeer, for example, PSM opens the longitudinal lock in order to stabilise the vehicle by acting specifically on individual brakes.

Unique sports seats

The Porsche Cayenne GTS comes with exclusive features and equipment also within the interior, standing out not only through a wide range of impressive details. The door entry strips, for example, are made of stainless steel and proudly boast the "Cayenne GTS" model designation. The decal trim in the instrument panel and the doors, in turn, is made of satinated aluminium, and leather upholstery also comprising parts of the instrument panel, the centre console and door linings comes as standard.

Alcantara, in turn, is used on the roof lining, the centre console armrest, the gear lever gaiter, and on parts of the door linings. And last but certainly not least, the padded steering wheel rim keeps the driver fully in control of the Porsche Cayenne GTS at all times.

A particular highlight of the Cayenne GTS is the sporting but comfortable seats, the driver and front passenger enjoying all the amenities of sports seats adjustable in no less than 12 directions and featuring extra-high side support elements.

The seats therefore adjust not only vertically and horizontally at the touch of a button, but also in their backrest and seat bottom angle, as well as in the position of the lumbar support, all of which are controlled by electric motors.

The centre sections on the seats are finished in alcantara with its good surface grip, while the inner side elements as well as the centre sections on the headrests come in leather.

The rear seats in the Porsche Cayenne GTS likewise feature extra-high side supports giving the two passengers sitting at the outside all the enjoyment of a sporting seat system with single-seat configuration. But extra padding on the outer rear seats still allows a third person to enjoy the ride at the rear.

Like on the other versions of the Cayenne, the luggage compartment of the Cayenne GTS may be enlarged easily by simply tilting down the rear seats, with the luggage compartment increasing in size, depending on the driver's and passengers' requirements, from 540 all the way to 1,749 litres (18.9 - 61.2 cu ft).