Porsche recently announced that there won't be any 2007 Cayenne models tearing up the asphalt, preferring instead to halt production and allow dealers to sell vehicles on hand before an updated Cayenne bows for the 2008 model year. As a result, Porsche has created a new model for the Cayenne, dubbed the Titanium Edition. The special edition features titanium colored accents inside and out, as well as option packaging.
Powertrain Powering the 2006 Porsche Titanium Edition Cayenne S is a 4.5-liter V8 engine producing 340 horsepower and 310 lb.-ft. of torque. The V8 features four overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, variable inlet timing, an aluminum block and cylinder heads.
PerformanceEven though the Cayenne feels – and is – heavy, it moves out like a track star when required. For its size, the Porsche Cayenne S is very agile and car-like, achieving a 0-60 time of 6.8 seconds with a top speed listed at 150 mph.
SuspensionThough few owners of the Cayenne will ever venture onto dirt, Porsche wants them to know the Cayenne is just as capable off road as it is ripping around the streets. The 2006 Porsche Cayenne rides on an independent suspension front and rear that provides a very comfortable ride around town, yet is firm enough to carve up a mountain road and is capable enough to tackle an off-road trail.
Comfort Features The Cayenne's Titanium edition comes equipped with a multifunctional tilt and telescoping leather steering wheel, retractable and heated outside mirrors, 12-way power and heated adjustable leather front seating with memory control, one touch up and down windows, privacy glass, a Bose 14-speaker audio system and cruise control.
Rear Comfort Rear passengers ride in comfort with ample room, leather seats and a fold-down center console that provides rest for weary arms. Cupholders are located at the rear of the center console. There is also lot's of headroom as well as knee and foot space.
InteriorThere is an unmistakable feel of quality and luxury when seated behind the wheel of the Porsche Cayenne. The well-executed interior is layered with titanium-colored accents and trim pieces. Front and rear, the leather seats are comfortable and head, knee and foot room is plentiful. There is also a good amount of cargo space available with the rear seats in the up position. Overall, the 2006 Porsche Cayenne S titanium package is a well-equipped and comfortable ride that gets you to your destination with style.
Exterior There is no mistaking the Porsche Cayenne for anything else on the road. From the distinctive front-end treatment, all the way around to the back, it carries the look of a Porsche. The aggressive design is due for an upgrade for the 2008 model year, with a new design on the distant horizon.
Wheels A sharp looking set of wheels is necessary when rolling in a Porsche Cayenne. The Cayenne S is shoed with 8x18-inch light alloy rims at each corner with 255/55 tires on the standard model with 19-and 20-inch wheels available as an option. On the Titanium Edition, each wheel is color-keyed with a titanium metallic finish.
Exhaust At idle and under normal driving conditions, the Porsche Cayenne exhibits an almost inaudible idle, but romp the throttle and the burble turns into a hearty growl. The exhaust makes its way to the rear through a twin-chamber exhaust with one three-way metal-based catalytic converter on either side exiting the rear through highly styled and sturdy dual exhaust tips. A set of tips decorate each side of the Cayenne's rear view.
PricingBase price starts at $64,900, and well-equipped models sneak in under $70,000, including a $815 destination charge. Porsche created the Titanium Edition to entice buyers by packaging the most desired options as standard equipment, and pricing it about ten percent less than a similarly equipped Cayenne S.
CargoEven with the rear seats in the up position, there are 19 cubic-feet of storage space. Need additional space for a run to the home improvement store? The rear seats fold to allow for a total of 62 cubic-feet of space.
TransmissionPower from the V8 engine is put to all four wheels via a six-speed tiptronic S transmission. Torque split is 38% front and 62% rear. Feeling sporty? Manual shifts can be made using either the steering wheel buttons or by physically moving the console mounted shifter. We found shifts to be smooth but slow to react in the auto mode when kicking down for lane changes or passing.
Exterior Lighting Exterior lighting located under the side mirrors stays on after exiting the car for several seconds, both for convenience and security. Interior lights are also activated.
Climate Controls Basic controls are placed low on the center console and other less-used controls are hidden behind a titanium color-keyed cover, emblazoned with the Porsche name. Using the rocker switches for either the driver or passenger easily changes temperature and fan settings.
NavigationThe Porsche navigation system utilizes both DVD and GPS, and is somewhat complicated to use. Controls are not user-friendly, and a read of the owners' manual is necessary to fully understand and operate the system.
Audio System A 14-speaker AM/FM/CD Bose audio system is standard in the Cayenne S Titanium. The system is easy to use thanks to well-marked buttons and an easy-to-read display. As expected, sound is good with booming bass tones. Real enthusiasts will find themselves turning down the stereo and stomping the go-pedal in order to hear the Cayenne's throaty exhaust note.
Ergonomics Well-cushioned 12-way power leather seats combined with a tilt and telescopic wheel and a well-executed instrument panel make the interior an inviting place to spend a commute. With all of the space available in the Porsche Cayenne, everything from entering and exiting to seating front and rear is comfortable. Even loading cargo into the back is easy with a low lift-over height.
Exclusive Trim and Colors The Porsche Cayenne S Titanium Package features titanium-colored accents inside and out on the Porsche Cayenne. Outside, accents include window trim, an accent piece that runs the side between the doors, a sculpted trim piece across the rear bumper, and color coordinated wheels and roof rack. The titanium accents continue from the outside into the interior highlighting knobs switches and levers, each highly designed looking like mini objects de' art. The Cayenne S Titanium Edition package is available in four distinct colors, Pure Red, Iceland Silver metallic, Black and Marine Blue metallic. Along with the door handles, the Cayenne S Titanium features color-keyed rocker panels.
Badging There's no mistaking what model Porsche just blew past you with the large Cayenne S name centered at the rear in black against the pure red color. Porsche limited the badging to just one at the rear, keeping the sides and front clean of excess markings.
BrakesPorsche's Cayenne S gets its stopping power from 13.8-inch vented discs with 6-piston calipers up front doing most of the work, followed up by 13-inch vented discs at the rear utilizing four piston calipers.
DesignThough controversial when Porsche announced it was building an SUV, enthusiasts accepted the Cayenne as a true Porsche thanks to its performance, but also because of the design. Designers did a great job transferring the Porsche image to the big SUV, giving it aggressive styling and incorporating large air intakes into the front end, fitting it with wide fenders and sleek flowing lines.
Acceleration The Cayenne is big and heavy, but be aware – it isn't slow. Porsche lists the performance numbers for the Cayenne S as 0-60 mph in 6.8 seconds, 0-99 mph in 16.8 seconds and is capable of covering the standing kilometer (0.6213 mi.) in just 27.3 seconds. Top speed is rated at 150 mph.
Model Lineup Porsche offers four models of the Cayenne. The base Cayenne is offered with the manual six-speed transmission and the tiptronic counting as two, followed by the Cayenne S and the turbo model. Horsepower ranges from 247 on the base models to 340 on the S trim and 450 on the turbo model. All but the base model manual are equipped with the tiptronic six-speed gearbox.
SpecificationsTest Vehicle: 2006 Porsche Cayenne S Titanium
Price of Test Vehicle: $69,875 (includes $815 dest.)
Engine Size and Type: 4.5-liter V8
Engine Horsepower: 340 at 6,000 rpm
Engine Torque: 310lb.-ft. at 2500-5500 rpm
Transmission: six-speed tiptronic
Curb weight, lbs.: 4,950 – 5, 650
Max. Cargo Volume: 62
Max. Towing Capacity: 7,716 lbs.
Ground Clearance: 8.54 in.
Driving Impressions; Chris Wardlaw Overkill for the reality of rush-hour traffic and mall prowling, the Porsche Cayenne is an immensely capable vehicle, able to scale mountains and shred a racetrack with equanimity. The faster you go, the less clunky it feels. The brakes stop grabbing, the steering feels naturally weighted, and the V8 rightfully bellows. In the daily grind, potholes pose no problem and it's comfortable for up to five people. The control layout takes some acclimation, but is simpler than Porsches past. Plus, it works well as a station wagon thanks to a sizable cargo area. Got cash to burn? You'll like the Cayenne.
Driving Impressions; Ron Perry Who says you can't have your cake and eat it? The Porsche Cayenne successfully combines the room and comfort of an SUV with the handling capabilities of a
sports car and the off-road abilities of your favorite four-wheeler. Top that off with good looks, all-wheel drive and a host of other amenities and what more could you ask for? Maybe a less-expensive price, but you really do get what you pay for with the Cayenne. The only negatives were the poor gas mileage and the slow-to-respond shifting of the transmission.
Photos by Ron Perry
