Porsche is readying a refreshed version of its Cayenne SUV and the car was just spied testing in Germany.
Auto News
AutoGuide News Blog
The AutoGuide News Blog is your source for breaking stories from the auto industry. Delivering news immediately, the AutoGuide Blog is constantly updated with the latest information, photos and video from manufacturers, auto shows, the aftermarket and professional racing.
Production of the Porsche Cayenne has resumed at a slow pace after being stopped because of floods in the Czech Republic.
Each week, we recap the most popular videos from AutoGuide‘s YouTube channel just in case all seven days passed you by and you missed out.
When the Porsche Cayenne gets its mid-cycle refresh in 2014, the German automaker will offer a plug-in hybrid variant to the SUV lineup called e-Hybrid.
Last week, the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S was revealed boasting 550 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque from its 4.8-liter V8 powerplant.
The Porsche Cayenne Turbo S will be the new flagship model for the German automaker’s SUV lineup, and the first photos of the top-of-the-line, twin-turbocharged V8 Cayenne have surfaced.
Stuck deciding between a Porsche Cayenne diesel model the hybrid? The decision just got a lot tougher (or easier) now that the EPA has released its fuel economy ratings for the diesel SUV.
Porsche owners driving a 2011-12 Panamera Turbo, 2012 Panamera Turbo S or 2012 Cayenne Turbo should be advised: their car’s forced induction system might be faulty.
Certain 2012 Porsche Cayenne Turbo, 2011-12 Panamera Turbo and 2012 Panamera Turbo S vehicles are being recalled in Canada because the turbine in the turbocharger might have been incorrectly manufactured.
Porsche has announced that 500,000 vehicles have now been built at its plant in Leipzig, Germany.
There will be no model made to slot under the Boxster (pictured above) in terms of price or size according to Bernhard Maier, head of Porsche sales and marketing.
For yet another year, Porsche has something to brag about thanks to J.D. Power and Associates’ Initial Quality Study, which was released today.
Due next year is an update for the highly controversial Porsche Panamera model, a restyling change that should make it more appealing to the eyes. But rumor has it that the German automaker has much more planned for its sedan in the near future.
The 2013 update should also bring a long wheelbase variant, which will undoubtedly be popular in China. But the interesting rumor is that Porsche could be working on shooting brake (wagon) and cabriolet variants for its Panamera model. Despite Porsche product planning wanting to bring the second-generation Panamera to market in 2015, the early revamp will surely bring more variants in order to extend the new lifecycle.
Industry spies are also predicting that Porsche will produce a smaller Panamera model, perhaps named Pajun, and could arrive in 2017 with two or three different body styles.
To compete with the BMW X6, Porsche may also be introducing a four-door coupe version of its next-generation Cayenne and could hit showroom floors in 2016.
While much of the above are just rumors, we can surely expect the second-generation Cayman later this year along with more variants of the new 911. Expected soon is the Carrera 4, 4S, Cabriolet 4, 4S, GTS, and Porsche may have a surprise with a 911 Targa in 2014. The 991 version of the 911 Clubsport, Turbo and Turbo S, GT3, and GT2 RS will probably still be a couple of years out.
[Source: Automobile Mag]
Americans will finally get a look at the U.S.-spec Porsche Cayenne diesel when it debuts at this year’s New York International Auto Show.
The Cayenne Diesel will sport a 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel engine, also featured in the Volkswagen Touareg and Audi Q7.
The oil-burner is expected to make either 240-hp like the European Cayenne Diesel, or 225-hp like the TDI Touareg and Q7. It’ll be backed with 406 lb-ft of torque and should get better fuel efficiency than the Cayenne S Hybrid’s 24-mpg highway. Unfortunately it’s also expected that the diesel-powered Cayenne will get under 20-mpg city.
Even though diesel models aren’t as popular in America as they are in Europe, other luxury automakers are testing the water with diesel variants of popular models such as the Mercedes-Benz GLK.
As gas prices consistently rise and consumers look more to efficiency as a critical factor, companies at all levels are realizing the importance of hybrid and diesel options, even in the U.S.
We’ll be reporting live from New York, bringing you coverage of the Cayenne diesel and other releases.
[Source Car&Driver]
The 100,000th second generation Porsche Cayenne was assembled today in Porsche’s Leipzig, Germany plant and marks steady and clear growth for the German automaker.
The public and auto journalists alike had their doubts about the Cayenne when it was first brought to the North American market in 2003, but the luxury SUV has held its own and has had strong sales since the beginning. In 2011, the second generation Cayenne increased its sales by 15 percent over the 2010 model year selling 29,023 units in the United States.
Along with the 100,000th second generation Cayenne, Porsche is celebrating its 10th year of producing vehicles at the Leipzig site. “Ten years ago the success story of Porsche Leipzig started. What was a greenfield site, today ranks among the most modern car plants in the world. In addition to the Cayenne, Leipzig is also where Porsche produces the very successful Panamera luxury saloon, approximately 70,000 units of which have now rolled off the production line. That is why more than 93,800 vehicles left the Porsche plant in Leipzig in 2011, more than in any year before”, says Wolfgang Leimgruber, Member of the Executive Board of Production and Logistics of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG.
Mirroring the American numbers, China has also recorded a sharp increase in the purchasing of the luxury SUV. From 2009 to 2010, Cayenne sales increased 14 percent in China and Porsche forecasts that by 2014 China will be its largest market.
The Leipzig plant will be adding a third shift to keep up with demand on the Cayenne, and will no doubt be kept busy by a re-surging auto market worldwide.
China is the new land of opportunity as businessmen gain newfound wealth from its booming economy. However, some have learned the hard way that money cannot buy happiness.
Last week, a Porsche owner was upset that his Cayenne SUV, worth a reported 2.7 million yuan, suffered a string of problems during the 2 months he owned it. Claiming that the serious problem nearly caused him to crash on two occasions, the Porsche dealership of Shenzhen agreed to fix the vehicle. Unfortunately, the problem inexplicably continued to resurface.
Although the Porsche dealer offered the owner to swap for another Cayenne, the owner demanded his money back instead. Eventually, the Shenzhen Porsche dealer submitted to the Cayenne owner’s demands under the condition that he sign a confidentiality agreement and to not disclose why he returned his Porsche. However, the agreement fell through and the Porsche dealership chose not to take back the lemon Cayenne after all. Taking matters into his own hands, the Cayenne owner decided to return his Cayenne on a flatbed truck and staged a loud protest right outside the dealer doors.
While the situation is certainly negative publicity, a senior executive from a premium car brand believes that incidents like this one would barely affect sales. As the Chinese economy continues to prosper, the demand for high luxury vehicles will not slow down.
Last year, a similar protest story involved a disgruntled Lamborghini Gallardo owner that hired a bunch of men to publicly destroy his defective Italian sports car on China’s World Consumer Rights Day.
[Source: China Car Times]
It’s been a long while since we’ve come across a new ASMA Design creation, but it looks like it was worth the wait. ASMA has always been common bait for us to make fun of and they didn’t fail to impress with their Porsche Cayenne Turbo project.
As expected, ASMA Design released the photos of the project with very little details, but we don’t even need words to describe what’s going on here. Over the top, super aggressive styling results in an atrocious and terrible project and just does a terrific job ruining Porsche’s classy SUV. The wider fenders and side skirts are just completely out of place, while the front and rear bumpers are downright absurd.
About the only thing respectable about the project are the 22-inch wheels on each corner, and the fact that genuine carbon fiber was used for the body kit – as terrible as it is. But hey, we’re glad ASMA has something to show off, we were getting a little bored around here with nothing to ridicule.
GALLERY: ASMA Design Porsche Cayenne Turbo
[Source: GT Spirit]
Porsche is spicing up their U.S. vehicle lineup starting next year with three new models, including a diesel Cayenne.
It’s hard not to see the writing on the wall when a status symbol like Porsche decides to port the diesel counterpart of their high-end SUV to the U.S. Most people familiar with the European car market know that diesels are a staple across the Atlantic, but until recently the alternative fuel was pretty much an 18-wheel thing. That’s all changing, as mainstream manufacturers are offering efficient diesel versions and companies like Cummins are ramping up their capacity in anticipation of a market shift.
If you still struggle with the smoke-belching image diesel vehicles evoke for so many Americans, figure this: Porsche is counting on the diesel Cayenne to help double their U.S. sales by 2018 without adding any dealerships. The other two sales-boosters are a redesigned 911 and the 430 horsepower Panamera GTS.
If the American diesel is true to its Euro-spec brother, you’re looking at a Cayenne that boasts just under 40 mpg combined. It’s likely that the car will have a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6, making 245 horsepower and 405 lb-ft of torque, capable of a 0-60 sprint in 7.6 seconds. You won’t be winning any races in it with a top speed of only 137 mph, but then again you’re looking at a fuel-saving SUV.
If speed is really more important than mileage to you, consider the hybrid version, which makes 380 horses. Just know that you’re probably going to pay about $10,000 more for a vehicle that only gets about 24 mpg.
[Source: Automotive News]
TechArt has finally officially unveiled its new styling package for the third generation Porsche Cayenne, with no real surprises. The front chin spoiler has been designed in true TechArt fashion while the LED lighting enhancements and halogen headlights are almost standard issue with any other TechArt styling package. The rear roof spoiler, rear apron and diffuser adds sportiness to the entire SUV while TechArt’s exhaust system is sure to give the Cayenne a whole new rumble.
For wheel options, TechArt is offering their Formula, Formula II or Formula III wheels with sizing varying from 20- to 23-inch depending on the model. Performance upgrades have already been established from TechArt for the new Cayenne, with the Turbo model getting a boost up to 560-hp through a TA 058/T1 kit.
TechArt is also offering interior upgrades to the Cayenne with complete leather interior packages and in-car-entertainment options of integrated screens in the headrests and an elegant center console with a spacious bar and storage compartment in Alcantara.
It might not be terribly original, but it certainly looks impressive.
GALLERY: TechArt Porsche Cayenne
Porsche is planning to double its sales to 200,000 units by 2018, and the German automaker is expecting the SUV side of sales to take the lead in achieving this goal, especially considering the Cayenne is already the best selling vehicle in its lineup.
The automaker wants to increase production of the Cayenne by 10 percent this year, and 20 percent in 2012 because of the growing demand. Buyers in China have to wait 12 months to get their hands on a Cayenne. Porsche fully understands this issue and wants to cut that wait time down to six months for next year. The Cayenne is also helping the entire Porsche lineup as orders have increased 26 percent in the first half to 65,660 units. Porsche hopes to see 28,000 Panamera sales in 2011.
[Source: Automotive News]
TechArt has revealed their tuning kit for the new-generation Porsche Cayenne Diesel, increasing horsepower output from 240-hp to 280-hp. The power increase comes courtesy from their Techtronic power kit line, (part number TA 058/D1) which is essentially an intelligent engine management system that puts power boost at the push of a button. In addition to the Techtronic power kit, TechArt offers a sport exhuast system for the Cayenne Diesel.
Torque is increased from 405 lb-ft to to 457 lb-ft helping give the Cayenne Diesel’s 0-62 mph time to 7.2 seconds and a new top speed of 145-mph. As with all Techtronic units, this TechArt tuning program is backed by a warranty on engine and transmission.
No pricing was announced for the tuning package.
GALLERY: TechArt Porsche Cayenne Diesel
Russian tuner TopCar has really made a name for themselves with some fantastic Porsche styling packages, and this Cayenne might be the best one we’ve seen yet. Even better is the fact that there are some stunning photos and scenery to go along with the Cayenne, that is featured in a unique shade of Amethyst Metallic, a color Porsche offers on some of their models.
For their Porsche Cayenne Vantage 2, TopCar offers a complete widebody conversion which includes matching front and rear bumpers and side skirts. The aggressive styling of the kit really transforms the Cayenne from bumper to bumper, and the subtle Amethyst Metallic finish gives it a sleek, exotic look. The elegant design of the concave split-five spoke wheels were a perfect match to the Cayenne’s body. Really, we’re having a hard time whether to appreciate the beauty of the car or the location of the photoshoot.
Even more luxurious is the custom interior, featuring a double-diamond stitched pattern on the seats in a milk chocolate brown finish. The unique pairing of colors are contrasting, with the darker brown highlighted by a nice clean beige. Of course the wooden accents are a perfect fit while TopCar adorned the headrests with some custom embroidery. Finishing off the entire car are vantage logos on the exterior and in the interior’s door sills.
GALLERY: TopCar Porsche Cayenne Vantage 2
[Source: Jon Sibal]
April has been a very good month for Porsche: it saw sales increase by 53 percent, or 11,741 vehicles total. But the cars that skyrocketed during this period aren’t the 911, or any variants thereof.
Diehard Porsche fans are going to rage: what’s selling hot isn’t the 911, or even the Boxster/Cayman duo—it’s the Cayenne and Panamera, the two models most accused of pillaging the brand for all it’s worth. And hybrid models, too! What is Stuttgart coming to?
In fact, Cayenne sales doubled in that time and Panamera sales increased 15%, while sales of the Boxster and Cayman actually lowered by 8.7%. “Every Porsche is the sportiest model in its segment,” said Bernhard Maier, a Porsche board member. “Our customers world-wide love the combination of performance and efficiency, such as in the new Panamera S Hybrid or 911 GT3 RS 4.0.” The 911, meanwhile, stayed relatively steady as before.
Within the same period, North American sales increased 77% in the same month, Porsche’s largest market. And their 2nd largest, China, saw increases of 48.8%, and the rest of Asia increased sales 56.5%.
The two keep giving Porsche incentive to blow their money on awesome things—like racing, or the upcoming 918—and maybe holding off a forcible invasion from jealous neighbors/friends-with-benefits Volkswagen.
At any given ALMS race, you’re guaranteed to see a field of Porsches on the track at any given minute. These are mostly 997 variants, but now there’s the possibility of catching a glimpse of Porsche’s Panamera and Cayenne at any ALMS race. Ideally, we hope not to see these on the track, given that they’re support vehicles, but it’s nice to see Porsche’s lineup being properly represented at one of the world’s most prestigious race series.
The Panamera Turbo is the official safety car for ALMS; essentially a stock model that has a dome light and paint scheme on it, similar to the well-known Mercedes AMG safety cars. The larger Cayenne SUV will be pulling duties as the medic’s emergency response vehicle, and we really hope that the Cayenne makes a limited number of appearances for that reason alone.
[Source: Autoblog]
GALLERY: Porsche Panamera and Cayenne ALMS Support Vehicles
