Entry-level Porsche Cayenne revealed

Porsche has revealed a new entry-level Porsche Cayenne that’s priced from £49,576. It’s powered by a 296bhp 3.6-litre petrol engine, which gets the Cayenne from 0-62mph in 7.7 seconds (or 7.6 seconds when fitted with the Sport Chrono pack). Top speed is 143mph.

As with the rest of the range, the basic model now features a coasting mode and stop-start technology to improve efficiency. It can return fuel economy of 30.7mpg and CO2 emissions of 215g/km for annual road tax of £285. Those figures represent improvements of 2.2mpg and 21g/km respectively over the old model.

The car also has a more comprehensive range of standard features, including a new eight-speed automatic gearbox, bright bi-xenon headlamps with LED daytime running lights, a sports steering wheel with gearshift paddles and an electrically operated bootlid.

Another addition to the range is the £72,523 Porsche Cayenne GTS, which now has a 3.6-litre petrol engine instead of the old model’s big 4.8-litre V8. Despite the drop in engine size, the addition of two turbochargers means power is up 20bhp to 434bhp in total, while fuel consumption improves from 26.7mpg to 28.8mpg.

The new Cayenne GTS gets from 0-62mph in 5.2 seconds, or 5.1 seconds with the Sport Chrono pack – five and sixth tenths faster than the outgoing model, respectively. Top speed is a heady 162mph.

The GTS isn’t the fastest model in the Cayenne line-up – that title is held by the Cayenne Turbo – but Porsche pitches it as being the most fun to drive. Sporty handling comes courtesy of adjustable suspension that can be stiffened to reduce body lean in corners.

Buyers can choose between regular steel springs or optional air-suspension, and both drop the standard Cayenne’s ride height for even faster cornering. The GTS stops quicker than the standard car, too, thanks to the addition of the powerful red-painted brakes also fitted to the Cayenne Turbo.

Styling changes go further than brakes to include sporty side skirts and wheelarch extensions, as well as a body-coloured roof spoiler and lower bumper. Meanwhile, the car’s badges, wheels and exhaust pipes have a contrasting black finish. Rear LED lights with darkened lenses and additional lettering on the front doors completes the look.

Eight-way electrically adjustable GTS sports seats trimmed in leather and Alcantara suede fabric make the interior feel suitably sporty. Buyers can have the interior’s GTS pack in either Carmine Red or Rhodium Silver, with the rev counter, leather stitching, headrest lettering and seatbelts all finished in the chosen colour.

Both the basic Cayenne and the sporty GTS will make their world premieres on 19 November at the Los Angeles Motor Show. Order books are open now.

For a full review of the Porsche Cayenne, visit the Carbuyer Porsche reviews page.