Porsche Cayenne

The Porsche Cayenne is a five-seat mid-size luxury sport utility vehicle produced by the German automaker Porsche since 2002, with North American sales beginning in 2003. It is the first V8 engined vehicle built by Porsche since 1995, when the Porsche 928 was discontinued. Worldwide sales of the Cayenne are running at double the rate of 20,000 units per year that was originally forecast. Sixty percent more Porsches were sold in 2006 than were sold in 2002 thanks to the Cayenne model.

Porsche went right to the point with the new Cayenne, going straight from the current 2006 model to the new 2008 version and skipping 2007 entirely. Porsche calls the 2008 model the 'second generation', however it is more of a technology transfusion, with many aspects including the interior and 4wd system remaining virtually identical.

All 2008 engines feature direct injection. The charge-cooling effect of direct fuel injection permits a higher compression ratio without the risk of detonation, which significantly improves horsepower and torque. Fuel consumption has been reduced approximately 1-2mpg across the range, even though the official window stickers say otherwise - the EPA changed its testing methodology in 2008. The drag coefficient is 0.35 Cd and all models get a power lift gate and a tire pressure monitoring system.

The main rival for the Cayenne would be the Land Rover Range Rover Sport. Edmunds.com thinks, "For maximum performance, the Porsche earns the podium as its acceleration, braking and handling can't be beat." The Porsche is faster in both acceleration and top speed than the equivalent Rover and gets better mpg.

However, all this performance and capability come with Porsche's tradition of being expensive, particularly when fitted with options. Also, the backseat and the cargo area are small for this class.

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