Luxury automotive manufacturer, Porsche, has unveiled the new Cayenne in Qatar – the latest addition to its lineup – expanding its already impressive range of luxury SUVs.
“The original Cayenne was a breakthrough model for Porsche both globally and here in Qatar," recalled Porsche Centre Doha (Al Boraq Automobiles Co) CEO Salman Jassem al-Darwish in a statement.
Cayenne: epitome of luxury and performance
Porsche has integrated a completely revised display and control concept into the new Cayenne. The new Porsche Driver Experience, first introduced in the Porsche Taycan, focuses on the driver's axis and optimises operation. Functions that the driver uses frequently are located directly on or immediately next to the steering wheel.
For the first time, the redesigned cockpit of the Cayenne includes a fully digital 12.6-inch instrument cluster with a so-called curved and free-standing design and variable display options. An optimised head-up display is available as an option.
The new Cayenne now has a particularly expressive appearance. A new front end combined with more strongly arched wings, a new bonnet and technically appealing headlights emphasises the vehicle’s width. Three-dimensionally designed tail lights, uncluttered surfaces beneath and a new rear apron with integrated number plate holder characterise the rear end design of the new Cayenne.
Porsche now equips the Cayenne at the factory with a steel spring suspension including Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM). New shock absorbers with two-valve technology and thus separate rebound and compression stages allow optimised performance in all driving situations. In particular, comfort at slow speeds, handling during dynamic cornering, and pitch and roll support have been noticeably improved.
"Not only did it revolutionise the SUV market 21 years ago by introducing a performance - luxury option for the first time to European buyers – something which every other manufacturer has since followed – but especially for here in Qatar, and the Middle East in general, it let our Porsche sports car owners explore the vastness of our beautiful dunes and coastline for the first time in a Porsche that could carry the whole family in comfort,” he explained.
Porsche has undertaken a substantial overhaul of the third-generation Cayenne, implementing comprehensive changes to the powertrain, chassis, design, and equipment. This has not only enhanced on-road and off-road performance, but also elevated the levels of everyday comfort and luxury.
Introducing the Porsche Driver Experience: a novel control concept and a cutting-edge digital cockpit. The exterior design has been imbued with expressiveness, featuring radical changes, such as the innovative HD Matrix LED headlights.
The chassis features a new two-valve suspension system. All engine variants now offer increased power, further emphasising the Cayenne's performance capabilities.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the launch event, Porsche Centre Doha brand manager Ahed Dawood said the hybrid variant is just one of several models available within the Cayenne lineup.
Presently, he pointed out that the Cayenne model range comprises a standard Cayenne with a V6 engine featuring a single turbocharger. Moving up is the Cayenne e-hybrid, equipped with a V6 turbo engine, like the combustion engine, augmented by a battery that grants the vehicle a combined output of 470hp. It offers an electric range of up to 90km, marking a significant advancement in hybrid technology.
“Then you move to the Cayenne S, which also changed its V6 bi-turbo engine into a V8 bi-turbo engine producing 474hp now, and then the Cayenne turbo GT, which is on the stage today, with 659hp, and 0 to 100 impressive speed of 3.2 seconds,” Dawood said.
Noting that the Cayenne holds a significant share in the brand’s market in Doha, he said Qatar boasts an SUV-dominated market. “That is why the Cayenne consists of around or more than 40% of our sales year over year,” Dawood said, describing the demand for Cayenne models as “astonishing”.
