By the point you learn this, it will have been six months since I drove these 2024 Porsche Cayenne prototypes (severely, embargoes are bizarre). And whereas I am glad Previous Me had the foresight to put in writing down a lot of detailed notes earlier than they vanished from my quickly mushifying mind eternally, my general takeaway cannot truly be attributed to any particular improve. The 2024 Cayenne is sweet as a result of it’s cohesively, comprehensively improved.
Do observe, the 2024 Cayenne is not model new; that is actually only a mid-cycle refresh of the present E3-generation SUV. Just a few minor styling changes are hiding below the camouflage, and Porsche confirms the Cayenne’s bumpers, fenders, hood, and lights have all been restyled. New colours and wheel designs are additionally within the playing cards, however actually, do not count on a radical visible transformation.
As a substitute, the headline speaking factors are a lineup of extra {powerful} engines, up to date cabin tech, and new suspension {hardware}. All might be revealed when the 2024 Cayenne debuts in April, however for now, right here’s what I realized after taking Porsche’s prototypes for a spin.
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Extra Energy Throughout The Board
Not one of the Cayenne’s engines are new, however all of them have extra energy. The bottom mannequin’s turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 has 349 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque – will increase of 14 and 37, respectively – and all Cayennes proceed to make use of an eight-speed automated transmission and all-wheel drive. Regardless of being the entry-level engine, the three.0-liter V6 is a peach, with greater than sufficient energy in your typical suburban every day driving.
The most effective information is that the Cayenne S ditches its previous twin-turbo 2.9-liter V6 in favor of a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8. Highly effective because it was, the two.9-liter engine severely lacked character, so the wallop and roar of a V8 will certainly treatment these blues. This V8 is basically a detuned model of the 4.0-liter engine used elsewhere within the Cayenne vary, producing 468 hp and 442 lb-ft within the S. That is not a big bump from the two.9-liter’s 434 hp and 406 lb-ft, however once more, a V8 is a lot extra entertaining. The Cayenne S is healthier for it.
That’s instantly noticeable after a fast run by way of the canyons outdoors of Malibu, California. The Cayenne S completely hustles, with improved low-end thrust and the bellowing soundtrack to match. I’ve to marvel how this’ll have an effect on the inevitable V8-powered Cayenne GTS, however I suppose we’ll cross that bridge once we get there. Because it stands, the S is dope, and I can’t actually see needing or wanting extra.
Talking of extra – like, far more – Porsche will proceed to supply the Cayenne in ultra-cool Turbo GT guise. In contrast to each different Cayenne, which might be out there in each conventional SUV and swoopy-roof Coupe physique types, the Turbo GT will solely use the latter. It will get a small energy increase, as nicely, now making a wholesome 651 hp – up from 631 – in addition to a carryover 627 lb-ft.
The Turbo GT isn’t nearly energy, although. Together with its reworked suspension (extra on that in a second), the top-shelf Cayenne actually appears like a sports activities automobile, with fast reflexes, an absolute crap-ton of grip, and a way of urgency you received’t discover in lots of different midsize efficiency SUVs.
Hybrid Choices With Extra Electrical Driving Vary
Hybrids might be an enormous a part of the 2024 Cayenne lineup. These plug-in fashions will all profit from a bigger battery pack with 25.9 kilowatt-hours of capability – up from 17.9 – which can enhance electrical driving vary. By how a lot, precisely? That is nonetheless TBD. However contemplating the present Cayenne E-Hybrid has a 17-mile EPA-estimated EV vary, this must at the least transfer that determine into the mid-20s. And since it’ll use an 11-kilowatt onboard charger as a substitute of the at the moment non-obligatory 7.2-kW setup, the Cayenne can replenish its battery faster than earlier than, as nicely.
Whole system output for the 2024 Cayenne E-Hybrid – which pairs the bigger battery with a 3.0-liter turbo V6 fuel engine – is 463 hp and 479 lb-ft. Apparently, whereas that’s an 8-hp enhance, torque is definitely down by 37 lb-ft. Irrespective of, the moment electrical torque off the road makes the Cayenne E-Hybrid completely fast, and the transitions between absolutely electrical and hybrid driving are seamless. Porsche says it labored to enhance the smoothness when switching between regenerative and mechanical braking, but it surely’s nonetheless not fairly there. Possibly some fine-tuning earlier than showtime will repair this, although.
4 Cayenne E-Hybrid fashions might be supplied globally, together with a China-only model that has a less-powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 engine. The 2 extra PHEVs we’ll get within the States are a mid-level hybrid – suppose Cayenne S space – in addition to one thing top-tier. For that final one, count on one thing like an up to date model of the loopy Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid, which at the moment makes an absurd (and great) 670 hp.
New Suspension Is Good Stuff
From the bottom Cayenne to the bonkers Turbo GT, Porsche’s SUV is tremendous good to drive. And whereas the up to date powertrains play a big half, arguably extra essential is the chassis, which will get a radical remodeling for 2024.
The brand new {hardware} consists of a two-chamber air suspension and two-valve damper, changing the previous three-chamber air and one-valve damper design. The principle distinction you possibly can really feel is a broader spectrum of firmness, starting from ultra-plush to fairly rattling stiff. This additionally permits for extra tangible separation between the Cayenne’s drive modes; Consolation is extra snug whereas Sport Plus is… sport-plussier.
From the bottom Cayenne to the bonkers Turbo GT, Porsche’s SUV is tremendous good to drive.
After all, that’s the non-obligatory suspension. The usual package incorporates metal springs with Porsche’s Energetic Suspension Administration tech, and whereas not as refined because the two-and-two air setup, I don’t see nearly all of Cayenne consumers caring all that a lot. Even on its base chassis, this SUV loves being tossed right into a nook, with communicative and responsive steering lending to these sharp reflexes. Torque-vectoring tech and rear-axle steering are additionally out there for even sharper antics.
Acquainted Tech Is Good Tech
Should you’ve been within the Taycan EV, the 2024 Cayenne’s inside will look very acquainted. Porsche wouldn’t let me {photograph} the SUV’s cabin – gotta depart one thing to the creativeness, proper? – however I promise, the Taycan affect is robust.
In entrance of the motive force, there is a curved 12.6-inch digital gauge cluster that is freed from a binnacle, so it seems to be recessed within the dashboard. That is the largest change to the Cayenne’s inside, and with no chunky housing surrounding the display, ahead visibility is significantly improved.
Within the heart of the sprint, there is a 12.3-inch display that runs the identical up to date multimedia software program you may discover within the 911 and Taycan. To the best, you possibly can add an non-obligatory 10.9-inch passenger show with all kinds of redundant options and controls. Past that, the 2024 Cayenne has a digital local weather management panel on the middle console – once more, just like the Taycan – along with a bigger engine cease/begin button to the left of the steering wheel.
Coming This Spring
Closing particulars like pricing and gasoline financial system estimates received’t be out there for an additional few months. However I don’t count on the 2024 Cayenne to command considerably greater than the present SUV, which begins at $73,650 (together with $1,450 for vacation spot). Along with the bottom, S, E-Hybrid, and Turbo GT variants examined right here, count on an entire mess of different Cayennes to launch sooner or later.
From the engines to the chassis to the infotainment tech, the entire 2024 Cayenne’s updates make an already nice SUV even higher. When the wraps come off the manufacturing automobile in April, I’ve little question the brand new Cayenne might be as compelling because it ever was.
