PORSCHE CAYENNE SERIES AND PANAMERA V6s TO THE FORE

2010-08-05 15:04:21 Author: admin Source:

Sime Darby Auto Performance Sdn. Bhd. (SDAP) very recently presented the new Cayenne series and the Panamera with V6 engines as part of the company’s first new vehicle launch since assuming distribution rights of the Porsche marque from Auto Eurokars in Malaysia.

Five new Cayennes were introduced during the unveiling led by the Cayenne S Hybrid (above). The S Hybrid is the first Porsche with hybrid drive and the cleanest model throughout Porsche’s entire portfolio. The new Cayennes are expected to be trendsetters in efficiency and performance in their respective segments.

The new Cayenne, like every Porsche, has been developed according to the principles of “Porsche Intelligent Performance”: more power on less fuel, greater efficiency and lower CO₂ emissions. The new Cayenne is more dynamic, more efficient, more spacious inside and is lighter overall. Heralding a new future in technology and sporting, elegant design – the new Cayenne is more Porsche than ever before.

The standard Cayenne on a 3.6-litre V6 platform powers up to 300 hp (220 kW) and boasts an eight-speed Tiptronic S. It includes the Porsche Traction Management (PTM) with active all-wheel drive and accelerates 0 – 100 km/h in 7.8 seconds. Top speed is 230 km/h with relatively decent fuel consumption at 9.9 ltr/100 km and emission CO2 rating of 236 g/km. While, the Diesel version utilizes a 3.0-litre V6 engine to churn 240 hp (176 kW) supplemented by an eight-speed Tiptronic S and PTM with permanent all-wheel drive. It also hits 0 – 100 km/h in 7.8 sec, to achieve a slight lower top speed of 218 km/h. Fuel efficiency is cut marginally to 7.4 ltr/100 km with the diesel version.

In the Turbo variant, the Cayenne sets itself apart from the others with a 4.8-litre biturbo-V8 powerplant to boost up to 500 hp (368 kW). Like the standard Cayenne, it has eight-speed Tiptronic S and PTM with active all-wheel drive. Its brisk acceleration from 0 – 100 km/h is only 4.7 sec, hitting top speed of 278 km/h. The remaining Cayenne S 4.8-litre V8 and Cayenne S Hybrid on full hybrid 3.0-litre supercharged V6 and synchronous electric motor complete the entire line-up.  

The prices of the new Cayenne models in Malaysia including standard options and a new 4 Year / 100,000km Free Service and Maintenance package are as follows; Cayenne RM550,000, Cayenne Diesel RM560,000, Cayenne S   RM680,000, Cayenne S Hybrid  (above left) RM720,000 and Cayenne Turbo (above right) RM940,000.

“Since we opened bookings for the new Cayenne models in June, we received an overwhelming number of bookings from customers without seeing the real car or even knowing the new price. This response reiterates the trust in quality and performance that is associated with Porsche cars, and we expect this demand for the new Cayenne series to continue,” Arnt Bayer, the newly appointed CEO of SDAP.

Another attraction in conjunction with the Cayenne series' introduction was the new Panamera and Panamera 4, both powered by a brand-new 3.6-litre V6 featuring Direct Fuel Injection and developing maximum output of 300 bhp (220 kW) plus peak torque of 400 Nm.

Following Porsche’s nomenclature, the Panamera transmits its power to the road via the rear wheels, while the Panamera 4 comes as standard with active all-wheel drive. The two new versions of Porsche’s Gran Turismo are convincing examples of the Porsche Intelligent Performance consistent development strategy. Equipped with PDK Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (Porsche Double-Clutch Gearbox) and Auto Start Stop.

Nineteen-inch all-year tyres with optimized roll resistance are available as an option to give the suprior performance typical of the brand. Additionally, lightweight construction as one particular highlight, with the axles, doors, engine compartment lid, wings and the rear lid all made either of aluminium or a combination of aluminium and magnesium. At the same time the brand-new V6 power unit built at Porsche’s engine plant in Zuffenhausen and boasting a 90^o cylinder angle is approximately 30 kg or 66 lb lighter than the eight-cylinder featured in the Panamera S and 4S, thus contributing to the low overall weight of the Panamera of just 1,760 kg.

Bayer commented, “The Panamera V6 models have been received very well as well and the initial demand is very promising. After the successful launch of the Panamera V8 models 10 months ago the Panamera and Panamera 4 will tap into a much bigger market segment and appeal to a broader customer base.”

The Panamera and Panamera 4 retail for RM730,000 and 760,000 respectively along with a new  4 Year / 100,000km Free Service and Maintenance package.