Tony Yustein

I recently saw an artice about Cayenne S. It was rated faster than the Boxster S and the X5 4.6is on the Nurburgring.

I did not buy this mag, so I can't remember which one it was. Did anybody see the same review?

And yes, I'm sure it was Cayenne S not Cayenne Turbo.

Thanks!

Jack Ennuste

I believe it's true. Mainly because of much better chassis. X5 doesn't have suspension level control and air springs.

Additional Nurburgring facts about Cayenne Turbo

.... and in the history of Germany's famed Nurburgring racing circuit, only seven production vehicles have lapped the track in less time than the Cayenne Turbo.

full text:
<a href="http://www.izoom.com/2003porschecayenne.html" target="_blank">http://www.izoom.com/2003porschecayenne.html</a>

Automotive e-News claim that Cayene lapped Nurburgring quicker than M5 sport sedan!

<a href="http://www.mellor.net/mellor/enews.nsf/edition/107616C8FADE50FCCA256AD800195ABE/$file/2001.10.01_enews104.pdf" target="_blank">full text</a>

Ghost Rider

There seems to be a lot of misinformation out there about this. The car that ran the track was the Turbo, but you often see this cited as just "Cayenne" so people think it is the "S". I've even seen one article say that it was the "S" but the article was in error. There is absolutely no way the Cayenne S will run the ring faster than a Boxster S unless the Boxster driver is dead.

Tony Yustein

Here the info from that article and the address of the article. I saw this on the print version of the magazine.

"Braking performance is astonishing, via 13.8-inch six-piston Brembo stoppers in front and 13.0-inch four-piston clamps in back. We found the active suspension system incredibly quick to react and able to keep the Cayenne flatter than any SUV we've ever driven, even around hard corners and during panic stops. We were told by renowned rally legend and Porsche test driver Walter Rohrl that the Cayenne ran a tick faster than the BMW X5 and Boxster S around Germany's fabled Nuerburgring. The best time for a Cayenne S (non-Turbo) was nine minutes, four seconds, against the BMW X5's 9:06 and Porsche Boxster S' 9:05 Factory Turbo Cayennes run the Ring at 8:42."

<a href="http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/suv/112_0303_por/index1.html" target="_blank">http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/suv/112_0303_por/index1.html</a>

NMoore

No way, no how, could the Cayenne S beat the Boxster S on any smooth road or track. Absurd.

It won't even begin to handle with it, won't begin to accelerate with it, has a lower top speed, and 60% more weight on a far higher center of gravity. Clearly the tires would get a lot hotter on the Cayenne.

I have driven the Cayenne S, it has neither the handling nor power (not even the interior space) of an Audi S6 Avant, and I can tell you the S6 won't catch a Boxster S anywhere either.

Jack Ennuste

Ken2KS and NMoore, you are right!

There is mistake somewhere with Boxter S data.
Boxter S Nuerburgring round time is actually 8.32 min, according to
<a href="http://www.track-challenge.com/main_e.asp" target="_blank">http://www.track-challenge.com/main_e.asp</a>

Speed G-Force
1. Schwedenkreuz 229 Km/h
2. Aremberg 99 Km/h (1,05g)
3. Fuchsroehre 210 Km/h
4. Metzgesfeld 175 Km/h
5. Bergwerk 96 Km/h (0,95g)
6. Kesselchen 215 Km/h
7. Klostertal 1 166 Km/h (1,1g)
8. Klostertal 2 86 Km/h (1,1g)
9. Pflanzgarten 164 Km/h
10. Galgenkopf 126 Km/h (1,15g)
11. Doettinger Hoehe 234 Km/h

Jim Lamb

Jack, thanks for clearing that up. That was a ridiculous piece of fiction that seems to have been floating around for some time now. I wonder how the Cayenne's times compare with the X5 4.6.

Tony Yustein

This shows us how accurate car magazines are! <img border="0" alt="[typing]" title="" src="graemlins/yltype.gif" />

Anir

Jack,

Thank you for restoring order (and common sense) to the sports car universe. Even a great company like Porsche is still bound by the laws of physics.

I do believe that the Cayenne is a wonderful accomplishment, but some of the hype surrounding it reminds me of the journalists' glowing commentary about the overrated E46 M3, which is a great ride for a family car but no sports car. There's a lot more to being a true sports car than a good 0-60 time. On a track or Auto-X course, lightweight construction and good chassis dynamics are arguably more important than raw hp.

NMoore

Thanks Jack, and I just noticed the offending journalists were from Motortrend--figures.

The Cayenne certainly drives very, very, nicely on the street for a car that can actually go offroad. But nobody with a sports sedan--let alone a sports car--would confuse it with one from behind the wheel.

Except for the carlike seating position and somewhat cramped rear seats, that is.

Jack Ennuste

NMoore and Anir

Thanks, no big deal, just passing through some data available in the net.

Still, I had opportunity to drive Cayenne S for two days over the weekend. It really was an excellent suv. Porsche of all the SUV-s.

Then I took for third day the Boxter S (what a co-incident with current thread) and oh boy! The previous car seemed like ladder-frame truck in instant comparison.

So, Cayenne is superb among SUV-s but not any way comparable with light and agile sports car. Still, it the best SUV choice to Porsche owner.

Ghost Rider

Jack,

Drive the FX45 on the track sometime and you might change your last statement. I'm still waiting for 'Ring test of the FX45.

Hmmm 8 minutes and 32 seconds for the Boxster S eh? Now I have something to shoot for... I wonder if I could break 8 minutes.... in the Boxster S (modified) not the FX45 sorry if I wasn't clear there for a second just pondering...

I wonder if the figures cited for the Boxster S were actually for the base Boxster? Is there 30 seconds difference between those two cars around the 'Ring?

Christian S.

Casting no aspersions against your abilities Ken, but you've got to be a odd mix of God-Like behind the wheel and semi-suicidal to go sub 8mins around the ring in anything close to a production car...... but then maybe you are both those things...

Jack Ennuste

Production cars under 8 minutes:

Pagani Zonda S 7.44
Porsche GT2 (996) 7.46
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup 7.49
Lamborghini Murciélago 7.50
Porsche 911 Turbo (996) 7.56

Cars OVER 8 mins (few to give an example)

Porsche 911 GT3 8.03
Lamborghini Diablo GT 8.04
Ferrari 575M Maranello 8.05
Ferrari 550 Maranello 8.07

So, Ken2KS, This should be hell-of-the-modified S then!

Ghost Rider

So I guess if 8.32 is listed for the stock Boxster S, and 8.03 for a 911 GT3, could I split that difference, say 8:18 in the modified S, I'd be pretty happy with that, but 8:18 would make me want 8:15...

I asked because I was suprised that there was 30 seconds worth of difference between a stock S and a stock base Boxster, so was chopping another 30 seconds off reasonable? Probably not.