The 2015 Porsche Cayenne GTS and Turbo S fulfill slightly different roles in Porsche's lineup. The GTS nestles between the Cayenne S and the standard Turbo and poses as the driver's choice with upgrades to the suspension, a 440-horsepower 3.6-liter twin-turbo V6 and styling tweaks. By contrast, the Turbo S is the SUV for the Porsche driver who must tick every box. It boasts 570 hp from its 4.8-liter twin-turbo V8 and is fitted with almost every conceivable gadget from Porsche's gargantuan options list. Both vehicles are luxury SUVs that deliver segment-leading performance and amenities to go along with their sumptuous interiors. The Cayenne is Porsche's midsize SUV and a rival to the BMW X5/X6, Range Rover Sport and Mercedes M-Class. While most of its competitors offer at least the option of seven seats, the Porsche is strictly for five passengers only. The new GTS and Turbo S models plug two very small gaps in the range.
The GTS badge designates models in Porsche's lineup that are targeted at hard-core enthusiasts. We're already fans of the Boxster, Cayenne and 911 GTS models, and the Cayenne seeks to build on their success with uprated suspension and styling, together with a 440-hp V6 engine. It sits between the 420-hp Cayenne S and the 520-hp Turbo in the Cayenne range. Its rivals include the BMW X5/X6 M and the Mercedes ML63 AMG. Base price of the GTS is $96,495.
By contrast, the Turbo S targets Porsche customers who must have the fastest and most lavish variant, whatever the cost. It features the most powerful engine in the lineup, a 570-hp twin-turbo V8 along with nearly every feature Porsche offers as standard.
The GTS is distinguished by a standard Sport Design package that includes more heavily stylized sills and wheel-arch moldings, together with 20-inch alloy wheels and a front end that mimics the Turbo. Also standard is a sports exhaust and Porsche's Active Suspension Management system (PASM), which lowers the ride height by nearly an inch for vehicles fitted with the standard steel suspension, or slightly less if you choose the optional air suspension. Porsche says its intent was to make the GTS the most agile of all the Cayenne models.
By contrast, the Turbo S's specification is for the gadget-fetishist. The chassis systems include Porsche Traction Management (PTM), Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) and Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus), all of which are designed to ensure that this 4,927-pound SUV has a dynamic repertoire worthy of the Stuttgart crest.
LED headlights also come standard, while responsibility for stopping this behemoth falls on carbon-composite brakes boasting 10-piston front calipers. They are housed within 21-inch alloy wheels, which replicate those of the 911 Turbo. The only surprising omission from the standard specification is a sports exhaust system, which is an option.
The GTS's 3.6-liter V6 develops 440 hp and 442 pound-feet of torque, enough power to deliver a 0-60-mph time of 4.9 seconds, says Porsche (or 4.8 seconds if you opt for the Sport Chrono package) and a top speed of 163 mph.
At 4,651 pounds, the GTS weighs 285 pounds less than the Turbo S, and much of this saving is over the nose. It feels more agile and anxious to turn than the Turbo, and there is a delicacy to its approach that belies its size. The steering is beautifully weighted and the poise, balance and agility it showed on the ice bode well for more normal conditions.
The Turbo S takes the sledgehammer approach to life. The 4.8-liter V8 employs two turbochargers mounted in the exhaust manifold to produce 570 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque.
The new Porsche Cayenne GTS is designed to be the most nimble of all the Cayenne variants.
The smaller Porsche Macan compact SUV has earned its share of rave reviews but if you want to carry a few adults and their luggage, the Cayenne is still a more desirable proposition. It lacks the seven-seater appeal of its key rivals, but five occupants travel in considerable comfort, and the luggage bay can be extended from 23.7 to 62.9 cubic feet with the seats folded. Given its versatility, it's little surprise that the Cayenne is currently Porsche's best-selling model.
Porsche's build quality is superb.
As you'd expect, the Turbo S cockpit comes wrapped in plenty of leather along with extra details like the Porsche emblem embossed on the head restraints of the outer seats. Carbon fiber has also been used to decorate the interior. There's no denying that the Turbo S's cabin is a pleasant place to be. Indeed, it feels little better than the GTS cabin, which is distinguished by lashings of Alcantara on the seats, roof lining and doors. — SG/Agencies
