The Cayenne Turbo GT is Porsche’s most powerful ICE-only SUV with 640hp on tap.
Porsche has launched the new Cayenne Turbo GT in India at Rs 2.57 crore (ex-showroom). Globally unveiled in June 2021, the Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT now sits at the top of the Cayenne range in India and comes only in the 4-seater Coupe-SUV guise. The Cayenne Turbo GT currently holds the record for the fastest lap time, at 7min 38.9sec, for a production SUV at the famed Nurburgring Nordschleife circuit in Germany.
- Powered by 640hp, 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine
- 90hp more powerful than Cayenne Turbo that’s sold in India
- Rivals Lamborghini Urus and Audi RSQ8 in India
Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT: what’s under the hood?
The Cayenne GT turbo is powered by Porsche’s 4.0-litre, twin-turbocharged, V8 petrol engine that produces 640hp and 850Nm of torque. It gains 90hp and 80Nm over the standard Cayenne Turbo Coupe available in India, although in the Cayenne’s global line-up, it sits below the 680hp Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid. The engine comes mated to an 8-speed torque-converter automatic gearbox.
Porsche claims a 0-100kph time of 3.3sec for the Turbo GT when fitted with the optional Sport Chrono package – a reduction of 0.6sec over the Cayenne Coupé Turbo – while its top speed is limited to 300kph.
Compared to its rivals, the Cayenne Turbo GT is 40hp more powerful than the 600hp Audi RSQ8, but is 10hp less than the 650hp Lamborghini Urus. But, with the optional Sport Chrono package, it still accelerates to 100kph 0.3 seconds faster than the Urus.
Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT: updated underpinnings
It’s not just the engine that has been uprated over the Cayenne Turbo Coupe, there are several updates to the chassis and suspension setup as well. The ride height is reduced by 17mm compared to the Cayenne Turbo, the three-chamber air suspension is stiffened up by 15 percent and the active roll stabilisation system has been re-tuned to offer flatter cornering behaviour. Additionally, the rear axle steering has been tweaked with specific mapping as part of a Power Steering Plus upgrade package.
It rides on wider wheels with 285/35-profile front and 315/30 rear Pirelli P Zero Corsa performance tyres that Porsche claims were designed specifically for the Turbo GT. It also gets carbon ceramic disc brakes at both ends – 440mm in diameter at the front and 410mm at the back.
Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT: exterior and interior
Visually, the Cayenne Turbo GT does not look all that different from the standard Turbo Coupe, as all styling changes are purely functional – either meant for more efficient engine and brake cooling or for additional downforce.
For instance, the front bumper has been reworked with larger cooling ducts and a new lip spoiler. At the rear, there’s a modified roof spoiler with new carbon-fibre side-mounted wing elements. There’s also a retractable tailgate spoiler that is 25mm wider and is said to provide 40kg additional downforce at top speed. Additionally, the mirror caps and rear diffuser are made of carbon fibre, while the twin titanium tailpipes have been reworked to exit centrally, which improves the airflow underneath the car. The Cayenne Turbo GT rides on 22-inch wheels finished in satin gold.
Inside, there is a new sports steering wheel with a Sports Response button, electronically adjustable sports seats up front, and two individual seats in the rear. Customers can additionally opt for the GT interior package that brings in several Alcantara and leather embellishments.
The interior layout, otherwise, remains largely similar to the standard Cayenne Turbo. It gets Porsche’s latest PCM 6.0 communication system with improved infotainment functions and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility as standard.
Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT: rivals in India
As mentioned, the Cayenne Turbo GT rivals the likes of the Lamborghini Urus and Audi RSQ8 in India. The former is priced at Rs 3.10 crore while the latter is priced at Rs 2.16 crore, both prices ex-showroom.
Would you pick the Cayenne Turbo GT over the Urus or the RSQ8? Let us know in the comments below.
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