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2024 Porsche Cayenne official: S swaps V6 for V8, prices for Australia confirmed

Porsche has taken the covers off the 2024 Cayenne range, which is more of a major facelift for the third-generation model rather than a fourth-gen change-over. In a statement, Porsche said:

“Porsche has fundamentally overhauled the third generation of the Cayenne with comprehensive changes to the powertrain, chassis, design and equipment. This has further extended not only on-road and off-road performance, but also luxurious everyday comfort.”

This extensive facelift is being introduced before the company launches the all-electric fourth-gen Cayenne, expected to debut some time before the end of 2025. The electric version will be built in Volkswagen’s multi-brand plant in Bratislava, Slovakia.

Let’s start with the design. It takes a familiar shape to the outgoing models, but various areas are a bit sharper for a more modern look, such as the new front end and more muscular front guards.

Both a conventional wagon body style and a fashionable coupe theme continues to be offered, with the coupe in particular sporting a revised rear end and new diffuser element. Either way, Porsche has applied some new LED taillights and relocated the number plate holder into the bumper bar on the wagon rather than on the tailgate. This arrangement was already in place on the outgoing coupe version.

Matrix LED headlights are now standard across the range, with optional HD matrix LEDs. There’s also some new exterior colour options, and a fresh range of alloy wheels varying in size, from 20, 21, and 22 inches.

Inside, Porsche has completely overhauled the interior. The driver gets a Taycan-like curved digital gauge cluster (12.6in), while the centre console is tidied up and now includes the climate controls, with the gear selector moved to the dashboard. There’s also a new 12.3-inch main touch-screen and optional 10.9-inch touch-screen for the passenger side.

Moving on to the lineup. Four main levels are being presented in Australia, starting with the Cayenne (wagon and coupe), the Cayenne E-Hybrid (wagon and coupe), Cayenne S (wagon and coupe), and Cayenne Turbo GT (coupe only).

The entry level model is powered by a 3.0-litre turbo V6 petrol engine that generates 260kW and 500Nm. That’s up 10kW and 50Nm over the predecessor.

Then you move up to the E-Hybrid which uses the same V6 as above, paired with a 130kW electric motor (up 30kW) and 25.9kWh battery (up from 17.9kWh). Combined, the system generates 346kW.

Stepping into the new Cayenne S, Porsche has, surprisingly, dropped the 2.9L twin-turbo V6 in favour of a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8. It generates 349kW and 600Nm (up 25kW and 50Nm from the outgoing V6), with 0-100km/h claimed in 4.7 seconds.

At the top, the new Turbo GT manages to extract even more grunt from the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8. Now it unleashes an unbelievable 485kW (up 14kW), allowing the beast to pulverise 0-100km/h in just 3.3 seconds.

Porsche Australia has outlined some of the highlight specs and features for the local lineup, confirming the Turbo GT will come with tinted HD matrix LED headlights, with Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) standard for the Cayenne and E-Hybrid, 20-inch wheels for the two entry models, and wireless phone charging for all models.

It also says it is introducing Active Parking Support with 3D surround-view cameras across the range, front seat ventilation for the S, and soft-close doors for the Turbo GT.

The new model is available to order in Australia now, with local deliveries scheduled to commence from Q3, 2023. See below for the starting prices (not including on-road costs):

2024 Porsche Cayenne: $140,200
2024 Porsche Cayenne Coupe: $148,200

2024 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid: $155,900
2024 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid Coupe: $161,600

2024 Porsche Cayenne S: $181,000
2024 Porsche Cayenne S Coupe: $190,000

2024 Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT Coupe: $366,200

Maverick

I like to think that I'm a car fanatic, but more of a driving fanatic. There's nothing better than getting out onto the open road, almost regardless of the car, and enjoying dancing with the controls and gathering up the moving scenery. If I'm not driving I'm either at the gym or sinking a few beers with friends.

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