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Porsche Unveils 2008 Cayenne with New Design and More Power - VIDEO ENHANCED


PHOTO (select to view enlarged photo)
2008 Porsche Cayenne

DETROIT--Unveiled to the public for the first time at the North American International Auto Show this morning, the introduction of the 2008 Porsche Cayenne marks the world debut of the more powerful second generation of Porsches sport utility vehicle.

As expected from Porsche, the new Cayenne not only looks more powerful, it is more powerful, with engines offering as much as 500 horsepower and with new dynamic technologies that allow the Porsche of SUVs to perform like a nimble sports car while being fully capable of carrying five people, towing a trailer and blazing over unpaved terrain and through inclement weather.



The 2008 Porsche Cayenne, Porsche Cayenne S and Porsche Cayenne Turbo were introduced at Porsches press conference on Monday January 8 in the Cobo Center. Also on display on the Porsche stand are the companys other vehicles, including the all-new 2007 911® Targa® 4S, the 911 GT3 sports car, a complete display of other 911s, Caymans®, Boxsters® and the 2006 ALMS LMP2 Championship winning Porsche RS Spyder.

With a striking new face that features a dramatic new headlight design and a wide and muscular body accented by broad wheel arches, the 2008 Cayennes newly sculpted sheet metal provides vivid visual testimony to the vehicles enhanced technical features.

Indeed, all three 2008 Porsche Cayenne models feature larger, more powerful engines, but also engines that for the first time boast direct fuel injection, a technology that enhances fuel efficiency as well as power production. For the 2008 Porsche Cayenne with its $43,400 base price ($58,900 Canadian), that engine is a 3.6-liter V6 that pumps out 290 horsepower and 283 pound-feet of torque. For the 2008 Porsche Cayenne S with its $57,900 base price ($78,500 Canadian), the engine is 4.8-liter V8 that generates 385 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. For the 2008 Porsche Cayenne Turbo with its $93,700 base price ($124,300 Canadian), the engine is a twin-turbocharged version of the 4.8-liter V8 that produces 500 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque, propelling the five-passenger SUV from a standing start to 60 miles per hour (96 km/h) in a mere 4.9 seconds on its way to a top speed on the test track of 171 mph (275 km/h). Despite such performance, the enhanced engine injection technology and improved vehicle aerodynamics have resulted in significant fuel economy improvements in Porsches internal pre-production testing.

But direct fuel injection is only one of the new technologies featured on the 2008 Porsche Cayenne.

The second generation SUV can be equipped with optional Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control with active anti-roll bars that almost completely offset body roll in turns, improving handling, comfort and active safety on-road while providing enhanced off-pavement traction.

Also new are Dynamic Curve Lights (standard on the Cayenne Turbo and optional on the other models) that improve the drivers view while driving on winding roads at night. Standard equipment on the 2008 Cayenne includes Porsche Stability Management (PSM®), now with such new functions as pre-loading of the braking system when needed, new Trailer Stability Control, and off-road anti-lock breaking system (ABS).

For the first time, the Cayennes come with a rollover sensor able to trigger both the belt latch tensioners and curtain airbags in an emergency, thus helping to reduce the risk of injury for all occupants in a rollover. In conjunction with the Cayennes six standard airbags, this system gives Porsche's SUV a benchmark occupant safety and protection system.

Other new features include a standard and push-button Sports mode for all Cayenne engines, a standard power rear lift gate, optional of 21-inch wheels, a rail-mounted cargo management system, and XM satellite radio.

Information on all current Porsche models can be found at www.press.porsche.com in the 2007 Model Year Press Kit section.

Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (PCNA), based in Atlanta, Ga., and its subsidiary, Porsche Cars Canada, Ltd., are the exclusive importers of Porsche sports cars and Cayenne sport utility vehicles for the United States and Canada. A wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, PCNA employs approximately 250 people who provide Porsche vehicles, parts, service, marketing and training for its 214 U.S. and Canadian dealers. They, in turn, provide Porsche owners with best-in-class service.

Note: New high-resolution photos of the 2008 Porsche Cayenne are available at the following link: http://sportssystems.com/hosting/display.cfm?key=100505

Please send an e-mail to Andy Schupack at as@kgpr.com if you need addition photo assistance.