When Porsche first introduced the Cayenne to the world, questions were asked about whether there was any appetite for an SUV produced by a manufacturer more associated with the kind of vehicles that are so fast they're capable of loosening drain covers.
Over the years, the answer to that question has, of course, been answered, with Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Jaguar, even Rolls-Royce… the list goes on… all getting in on the act since the German supercar 4x4 first appeared.
The most recent of the bunch is Lotus, a manufacturer whose founder, Colin Chapman, said the brand’s whole attitude to design could be summed up in the instruction to “simplify, then add lightness”.
If even Lotus is on the case, there is a market for such vehicles, and it’s a hefty one.
As if to underline the fact, the Cayenne is now celebrating 20 years on (and, indeed, off) the tarmac, and Porsche shows no signs of discontinuing its manufacture. And nor should it as the model is very much a worthy part of the brand's line-up.
The Cayenne GTS Coupe is positioned between the S and Turbo models in the brand's food chain and it has been designed for especially sporty driving performance.
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And you definitely get that. A lot of big, posh SUVs these days are nifty movers, but the Cayenne most assuredly doesn't disappoint in the speed and power department.
In much the same way some proper sports cars do, the GTS goads you into putting your foot down, seemingly purring at you not to mistake it for one of those bulkier charabancs that might prove an embarrassment when sedately setting off after the lights go green.
It feels just a little bit brazen too — the GTS will reach 100 kilometres per hour from a standing start in 4.5 seconds, prompting you to forget fairly quickly you’re in a vehicle designed to cart many passengers and cargo around.
Something else worth mentioning is the addition of a sports exhaust system, which basically means you get a growl around the cabin when you start the car up or floor it. It's all very emotive.
The GTS Coupe has a swept-back look, which is now a common feature among a lot of the racier big rides on the market. It's all very lovely inside, too.
Tech comes in the shape of the Porsche Communication Management, which acts as the control centre for audio, navigation and communication. As well as a full-HD 12.3-inch touchscreen display, the system also features various interfaces, a voice-control system and online connection.
There are some minor irritations — turning the engine on and off is needlessly complicated (one assumes the designers wanted to give the feel of starting a jet fighter, maybe). This is only one example, but there are other elements that seem needlessly complex.
These are indeed small complaints compared to the quality of the rest of the ride, however. Despite the attempts at producing an old-school SUV, the Cayenne is sophisticated and fun to drive (and be driven) around in.
This would not be the only vehicle of its type that feels more like a sports car than a people carrier when you get out on the road, but it's always special when a manufacturer manages to achieve this. Frankly, the Cayenne does it as well as any.
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
The Dark Blue Winter Overcoat & Other Stories From the North
Edited and Introduced by Sjón and Ted Hodgkinson
Pushkin Press
Trump v Khan
2016: Feud begins after Khan criticised Trump’s proposed Muslim travel ban to US
2017: Trump criticises Khan’s ‘no reason to be alarmed’ response to London Bridge terror attacks
2019: Trump calls Khan a “stone cold loser” before first state visit
2019: Trump tweets about “Khan’s Londonistan”, calling him “a national disgrace”
2022: Khan’s office attributes rise in Islamophobic abuse against the major to hostility stoked during Trump’s presidency
July 2025 During a golfing trip to Scotland, Trump calls Khan “a nasty person”
Sept 2025 Trump blames Khan for London’s “stabbings and the dirt and the filth”.
Dec 2025 Trump suggests migrants got Khan elected, calls him a “horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor”
Company profile
Name: Thndr
Started: October 2020
Founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: FinTech
Initial investment: pre-seed of $800,000
Funding stage: series A; $20 million
Investors: Tiger Global, Beco Capital, Prosus Ventures, Y Combinator, Global Ventures, Abdul Latif Jameel, Endure Capital, 4DX Ventures, Plus VC, Rabacap and MSA Capital
SPECS
Mini John Cooper Works Clubman and Mini John Cooper Works Countryman
Engine: two-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Transmission: nine-speed automatic
Power: 306hp
Torque: 450Nm
Price: JCW Clubman, Dh220,500; JCW Countryman, Dh225,500
LOS ANGELES GALAXY 2 MANCHESTER UNITED 5
Galaxy: Dos Santos (79', 88')
United: Rashford (2', 20'), Fellaini (26'), Mkhitaryan (67'), Martial (72')
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
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British Grand Prix free practice times in the third and final session at Silverstone on Saturday (top five):
1. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) 1:28.063 (18 laps)
2. Sebastian Vettel (GER/Ferrari) 1:28.095 (14)
3. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Mercedes) 1:28.137 (20)
4. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN/Ferrari) 1:28.732 (15)
5. Nico Hulkenberg (GER/Renault) 1:29.480 (14)
The specs
Engine: 8.0-litre, quad-turbo 16-cylinder
Transmission: 7-speed auto
0-100kmh 2.3 seconds
0-200kmh 5.5 seconds
0-300kmh 11.6 seconds
Power: 1500hp
Torque: 1600Nm
Price: Dh13,400,000
On sale: now
Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
Company%C2%A0profile
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The five pillars of Islam
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Queen
Nicki Minaj
(Young Money/Cash Money)
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