Cayenne S: all-powerful and versatile

The Cayenne S has it all -- the looks, the right badge, power, interiors from heaven and a choice of customisations that would satisfy the fussiest of customers.All the cars in stock at the Porsche showroom run by Al Boraq Automobiles are “sold”. Yes, even the ones on the container ships steaming towards Doha from the factories in Europe.Not one of these cars is alike, says a Porsche representative, “unlike some showrooms where you are likely to encounter a lot of the grim sameness in the interiors and even exterior trim, here no two cars are alike.”That seems to be the case when one browses the Cayennes on view -- the interiors pretty much stand out and the play of fabric and leather is appealing on each and every Cayenne. Most of the Porches being sold are the Cayenne -- by far the best seller for the brand in Qatar.That is not surprising since the Gulf is ideal for a four-wheel drive and the preference for large SUVs has translated into very good numbers for the Cayenne, a recent introduction to the line up. The Cayenne is big with lots of room up front and plenty of space in the rear passenger seats -- it’s like a playpen lined in leather and fabric.Still, it’s a lot smaller than some vehicles offered by the competition -- the SUV class size is a USP in itself and some models grow bigger with each passing year -- begging the question as to when these behemoths will stop calling themselves cars/trucks and just make the transition to road liners.The Cayenne has stayed with its theme. It is roughly the same size, with the classic Porsche front-end as its starting point and with the new rear-end a bit more sloped and curved.The biggest and most noticeable change is the 400BHP engine, up from 385. That certainly comes through when you use the pedal. The surge of power is enormous. And if there is one reason you should pack your life savings into a briefcase, chain that to your wrist and march into the world of Porsche with one word on your lips – gimme – this is it.Yes! It’s that good, the power and sound triggers an adrenaline rush that will refuse to calm down. (Of course, a very thick-skin and an impenetrable disdain of emissions and the ozone layer is part of the profile).You can race it from signal to signal without ever getting tired of the whole thing. Then flick between a range of settings just to change the feel – from sport to comfort, with a whole lot in between.Going around a roundabout can become fun in this car with the steering and handling giving nothing away – the car lunging confidently at close to 70kph round curves. Absolute confidence is the message coming through.Here is a roller coaster that you can drive to the office, drop the kids off at school and drive off road for a change.The cabin looks and feels like an aircraft cockpit and has an “integrating” effect with passengers feeling as one with the driver and involving everyone in the driving experience.The centre console features controls for three off road modes. This console also has controls to the air suspension. In Off-Road Mode 1 all relevant systems will focus on providing optimum traction — hill control and High Level I is selected. In Off-Road Mode 2 even greater traction is provided and the clutch can be fully locked. The electronically variable rear differential ensures optimum distribution of torque.In Off-Road Mode 3, the rear differential can be manually locked. Both rear wheels receive the same amount of torque regardless of surface conditions.The air suspension allows you to set height in five different modes. There is also one automatically selected Low Level II for speeds over 210kph – this cannot be manually selected.There are two high levels, a normal level, a Low Level I and a Loading Level (52mm below normal-only when car is stationary).High Level II provides maximum clearance of 268mm – which is 58mm above normal level. Porsche offers optional under body protection comprising rock rails with skid plates, engine bay guard, protection for fuel tank and rear axle, and a second towing lug.Though one hasn’t spotted Cayenne S at the weekend sand jamborees near Sealine, Porsche representatives said owners are regular visitors to the dunes. Porsche has a solid history of participation in off road events – most notably victories in the Paris-Dakar.This is a driver’s car with family-friendly size and dirt ability that provide some practicality to a vehicle that reeks of technology and exclusivity.Special thanks to sales consultant, Sophie Pieffet, for a memorable test drive and expert assistance with technical details.