HI-RES CAYENNE IMAGES HERE

THE NEW CAYENNE has been doing service on our roads for almost a year, having trickled through to enthusiastic buyers before an official product launch could even be staged. Even now, there’s an eight-month waiting list for prospective owners, such is demand for the firm’s bravest departure from their sports car ideal. Ironically, it’s the most successful Porsche product yet, and that’s likely to improve further now it’s been availed in much anticipated diesel format with shedloads of torque twisting all four 18-inch wheels. For this giant SUV, the irony within the irony is that Cayennes – like their BMW X5 and Audi Q7 rivals – are seldom likely to climb more than the occasional kerb.

Exterior
The skin seems to have been pulled tighter onto the new Cayenne frame. It’s seriously taut and marginally less bulky too – you could almost call it toned. What remains in spades despite the cleaner lines is that undeniable presence. It’s an especially scary prospect if viewed in your rear view mirror bearing down on your back bumper. The outgoing model’s rear end was a saggy, amorphous mess, and thankfully the new model gets the workout look and a sporty rear wing. Restyled light clusters at both ends of the SUV are narrower and more ornate than before, with running lamps incorporated into the gaping airdams flanking the grille. Chunky multi-spoke alloy wheels reinforce the tough image, but you won’t be mistaking it for a 911 in a hurry.

Interior
Talk about a veritable button fest. You’ll find them on the ceiling in true ‘Millenium Falcon’ cockpit fashion. You’ll find them on the dash, lining the centre hangdown, and even more strewn fore and aft of the auto gear lever. Some are pushed to engage, others lightly prodded, and a few even slide to activate. Need more controls? A few more reside inside the ‘touchscreen’ LCD monitor of the PCM (Porsche Communication Management) multimedia system located on the dash. If you’ve spent any sort of time in the Panamera you’ll feel right at home as they share a similar layout – in other words, too damn busy. Plastichrome highlights surround the vertically arranged aircon vents and litter the otherwise dark, leathery cabin, making for a disappointing kink in an otherwise rich veneer of luxury. The omission of a starter button in this model is refreshing, but the key fob moulded into the shape of a car is unforgiveably tacky. Seriously good floor mats though.

Performance