After months of teasing and waiting, the 2011 Cayenne S and Turbo have now been officially launched at Lifestyle Motors, Trinidad & Tobago. A few interesting points to note is that while being roomier inside, the 2011 Porsche Cayenne is some 400lbs. lighter giving it nimbler handling and a much better power-to-weight ratio also thanks to more powerful engines. And as Bernard Hadeed so eloquently put it, "you can drive the others, but after driving this, they will seem like mere appliances". Now that we think about it, that's what they call a firetruck but you get the idea.
It is evident that the Porsche Panamera design language is being used and we're happy to grant it a verdict of "well-executed integration." The exterior is reworked with a new rear end featuring bold, curvy LED lights and a gorgeous wing that might be on the parts list of the F22 raptor. The front has been given a panamera-style bonnet and sleeker nose, with massive intakes for the Turbo. The front noses of the S and Turbo are not interchangeable though, as they have different configurations for the daytime running lights and LEDs. The exhaust on the Turbo is deep and burbly, resonating heavily with a rich and powerful sound. As with the previous generations, the Cayenne S is the operatic champion, generating wonderful V8 music that feels like velvet in your ear. Inside, things get even better with the Cayenne's console being given the Panamera treatment on upper and lower decks. It all feels more Star Wars/Fighter Jet and we think even Darth Vader would be proud.
There are diesel engines now available and a new petrol V6 Hybrid too! All models now feature adjustable ride height using air suspension and pricing overall is about TT$200k more than the last model. This means you'll be looking at TT1.8M on the Turbo and around TT1.4M on an S.The black Turbo, with a scorching 0-60 time of 4.4 seconds and the potential to make hundreds of '80s and '90s sports cars out there irrelevant, is already booked. When we test drive it, we'll let you know how much Porsche has succeeded in making what some considered impossible, even better– how very Porsche indeed.
