Porsche announces new entry level GTS model, the same Cayenne, but cheaper.

Especially dynamic version and new entry-level model added to Cayenne portfolio

Today Porsche reveals the new Cayenne GTS, a model that announces its outstanding sporting character in its very name. 

The letters GTS go back to the famous 904 Carrera GTS of 1963. In 2007, the Cayenne GTS became the first Porsche of the modern era to revive the acronym. Since then, at Porsche ‘GTS’ has stood for notably enhanced levels of dynamics, performance and driver involvement. 

At the same time as the launch of the GTS, a new entry-level model with the familiar 3.6-litre V6 petrol engine rounds off the Cayenne portfolio at the start of the range.

Porsche drivers like their car to be sporty – regardless of whether it has two doors or four. 

At 11 per cent, the GTS makes up a high proportion of the Cayenne model mix of what is currently the most successful range in the Porsche line-up, with the four-door sports cars for many years making a major contribution to the company's profitable growth. At the same time they ensure future investment in the broad spectrum of highly dynamic models offered across the entire portfolio.

It is not only the name of the Cayenne GTS that is resonant. The 3.6-litre V6 bi-turbo engine is the performance-oriented enhancement of the new power unit presented in the Cayenne S.

Its consumption is lower and it delivers improved levels of performance. Compared with the previous model with a V8 naturally aspirated engine, power output increases by 20 hp to 440 hp and torque by 85 Nm to 600 Nm, while fuel consumption goes down by up to 0.9 l/100 km. 

The Cayenne GTS accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in 5.2 seconds, or just 5.1 seconds with the optional Sport Chrono package. That's 0.5 and 0.6 seconds respectively less than the previous model. Top speed is 162 mph. As standard it has a sports exhaust system, which provides the familiarly deep GTS soundtrack.

Thanks to its chassis the Cayenne GTS captivates drivers with its unmistakable lateral dynamics. The Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) damping system has a sporty set-up. 

With the standard steel-spring suspension the vehicle sits 24 mm lower, while with the optional air suspension the figure is 20 mm. Further standard features include the brakes from the Cayenne Turbo with 390 mm discs on the front axle (358 mm at the back), inclusive of brake callipers painted red in typical Turbo fashion.

Other design attributes also turn the Cayenne GTS externally into a particularly sporty vehicle. As standard it has the Turbo nose section with large air intakes and the Sport Design package, including more contoured side sills and wheel arch extensions. The latter, like the roof spoiler and lower rear of the vehicle, are painted body colour. 

Black provides some striking contrasts: all lettering is in this colour, as are the 20-inch wheels in the RS Spyder design, the exhaust tailpipes, the bi-xenon headlights' inner apertures and the fitment of darkened LED rear lights. There's a new feature on the front doors: striking GTS lettering.

The sporting character continues on the inside. Eight-way electrically adjustable GTS sports seats in leather/Alcantara upholstery, including ‘GTS’ lettering on the head restraints, are fitted as standard. Alcantara is the most apparent material used inside the car. The interior GTS package is optionally available in carmine red or rhodium silver with rev counter face, decorative stitching, head-restraint lettering and safety belts in contrasting colour.

The engine used in the Cayenne, the new base model, is the familiar 3.6-litre V6 naturally aspirated engine, delivering 300 hp. It accelerates the Cayenne from 0 to 62 mph in 7.7 seconds – 7.6 seconds with the optional Sport Chrono package. That is 0.2 seconds faster than before. At 143 mph, top speed matches the level of the previous model. 

Like all new Cayenne models it benefits from general efficiency measures, such as coasting, Auto Stop/Start function and thermal management, as a result of which fuel consumption drops in comparison with the previous model by 0.7 l/100 km to 9.2 l/100 km. That equates to CO₂ emissions of 215 g/km, thus 21 g/km lower than before.

Compared with the previous model the new Cayenne also offers more comprehensive standard features. In addition to the new eight-speed Tiptronic S with Auto Stop/Start and coasting functions these also include, for instance, the bi-xenon main headlights with four-point LED daytime driving lights, the multi-function sports steering wheel with paddle switches and an automatic tailgate.

The Cayenne and Cayenne GTS are celebrating their world premieres on 19 November at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show. Sales of both models commence immediately, with the Cayenne priced at £49,576 RRP and the Cayenne GTS at £72,523 RRP.

Customers will be able to explore the potential of their new Cayenne, and further develop their own skills behind the wheel, by participating in a complimentary course at the Porsche Experience Centre, Silverstone.