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First Drive: 2011 Porsche Cayenne

First Drive: 2011 Porsche Cayenne

Bengt Halvorson

Deputy Editor BIO

Bengt Halvorson is Deputy Editor of High Gear Media's portfolio of car sites, overseeing the production of reviews, evaluating vehicles firsthand... More

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2011 Porsche Cayenne S

HI-RES GALLERY: 2011 Porsche Cayenne S

As we piloted the new 2011 Porsche Cayenne S back to back with the 2010 Cayenne S, at Barber Motorsports Park near Birmingham, Alabama—a course that includes a good mix of tight hairpins, flowing sweepers, and terrain changes—it was almost instantly apparent that Porsche has done a lot more than a nip and a tuck. The new version of this utility vehicle is more nimble and sporty-feeling than before and minds its weight in a more confidence-inspiring way.

Part of the reason behind this surefootedness and poise is that there's significantly less weight to be shifted around, and a number of performance improvements make the Cayenne more focused toward on-road dynamics without sacrificing its off-road capability.

All the Cayenne's new-for-2011 features would have weighed an extra 154 pounds had the existing version been carried over, the automaker says. But here's where the story gets particularly interesting. Altogether, the 2011 Cayenne S weighs about 400 pounds less than the 2010—through no single strategy, but a combination of going with an active, electronically controlled all-wheel drive system and forgoing a low range; using more aluminum, substituting lighter interior components; swapping wheels and tires; and installing an electric parking brake, among many changes. The base Cayenne V6 model, which will reach dealerships later in the year, will now weigh in at a more size-appropriate 4,400 pounds.

Even the new 2011 Cayenne S Hybrid, which we also drove on the track, weighs in at slightly less than the 2010 Porsche Cayenne S; and that's considering its full-hybrid powertrain, including 47-hp electric motor system and 333-hp supercharged V-6 engine. The Hybrid will reach dealerships in October, a few months after the V-8 models.

2011 Porsche Cayenne (left) and 2010 Porsche Cayenne S (right)

Enlarge Photo

From the outside, the changes are subtle even though it's officially all-new sheet metal. The Cayenne's side pillars have been blacked out, giving it a lower-set look, even if its overall dimensions are about the same, and the front end can readily be distinguished from its new air-dam design. Door panels are also more curvaceous, and if you look more closely the new version has rear flanks that are slightly more accented.

Spicier interior completely changes the feel

2011 Porsche Cayenne Turbo

Enlarge Photo

While the Cayenne might not look that much different from the outside, it's changed significantly inside. One of the single most noticeable differences is the completely new instrument panel. Gone is the cheap black plasticky sea of buttons and more upright look of the current (outgoing) Cayenne; the new setup is curved, with a high, upward-sloping center console like that in the Panamera (and Carrera GT), with a new touch-screen system at the front. Grab handles still flank the center console, while the curvy instrument panel has prominent vertically oriented vents and contoured and accented just right with matte-metallic brightwork. Altogether it looks like a more sophisticated setup and is considerably more coupelike in feel than the former layout.

In back, the Cayenne's rear bench seat now slides fore and aft a total of 6.3 inches, and legroom has increased thanks to a 1.6-inch longer wheelbase. Back seat rake is also adjustable, with three different positions. The seatback still doesn't fold completely flat, though it will provide space for a snowboard or a small piece of furniture.