Porsche Cayenne: 20 years on and it still won't slow down


Simon Wilgress-Pipe
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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.

Speedy? Oh yes.
Speedy? Oh yes.

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.

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Director: Rupert Wyatt

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Ep1: A recovery like no other- the unevenness of the economic recovery 

Ep2: PCR and jobs - the future of work - new trends and challenges 

Ep3: The recovery and global trade disruptions - globalisation post-pandemic 

Ep4: Inflation- services and goods - debt risks 

Ep5: Travel and tourism 

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”

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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

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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. 

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1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

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Queen

Nicki Minaj

(Young Money/Cash Money)

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Updated: October 02, 2022, 11:02 AM