Official Pics from Cayenne's Website
03-06-2002, 01:15 PM
#16
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5 years late for the SUV market but this thing is hardly an SUV. They're calling it that because people respond to it. As seen by Audi, Subaru and Volvo things seem to be evolving into a SUV/Wagon Hybrid and in that case, the Cayenne will be right on time for those buyers who are predisposed to such a thing.
K
K
03-06-2002, 01:21 PM
#17
Nordschleife Master
The front end is beautiful, but the rear is too utilitarian. The rear is almos a 50's nostalgic muscle car wagon style <img src="confused.gif" border="0">
03-06-2002, 01:56 PM
#18
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I am interested in actually DRIVING the thing before making a (purchasing) judgement. I am afraid that it might turn out to be a "sporting pleasure" to drive. I will assess it on aesthetic & functional grounds before considering the badge on the hood. I will compare it to the alternative choices in the category (whatever category is emerging - "high perf. allwheeldrive sportwagon", credit BMW, Audi, even Volvo maybe (AMG M Class is strong on grunt, short on sport, IMO) for being "first-to-market").
btw, Luke - I think of muscle cars emerging in the '60s - are you thinking of hot rod Chevy Nomads, etc.?
I must be getting old - I just picked up a MB 300TE as a daily driver, never thought I'd own a Benz, however, it IS very solid & functional... I guess I should now apply to Medical School...
btw, Luke - I think of muscle cars emerging in the '60s - are you thinking of hot rod Chevy Nomads, etc.?
I must be getting old - I just picked up a MB 300TE as a daily driver, never thought I'd own a Benz, however, it IS very solid & functional... I guess I should now apply to Medical School...
............. 
03-06-2002, 07:35 PM
#22
Up to now, the vehicle that has topped my "Most Ridiculous and Pretentious Poseur Mobile" list has been the BMW X5. I'll now have to ad the Cayenne to that list. I think 90% of SUV owners buy them for the wrong reasons. Twin turbo SUV? Gimme a break. That's almost as ridiculous as sport trucks with low-profile tires and shiny chromed mags.
03-06-2002, 09:54 PM
#23
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Well, I'll admit that I was pumping myself up to hate it, but I think the turbo actually looks pretty good from the front. Kind of bland from other angles. But holy crap, what's with the overbite on the "s"?! From the front it looks like a Prius, or, more accurately, a fry guy. That one should come with the hamburgler instead of the blonde.
I'm pretty sceptical on the whole concept of a Porsche SUV, but styling wise, I think the turbo is pretty well done. I know they have to thumb down the styling of the S to make the turbo more desireable, but by losing that big grill they got rid of one of the most redeeming qualities.
Oh well, time for a big mac attack...
Tom
I'm pretty sceptical on the whole concept of a Porsche SUV, but styling wise, I think the turbo is pretty well done. I know they have to thumb down the styling of the S to make the turbo more desireable, but by losing that big grill they got rid of one of the most redeeming qualities.
Oh well, time for a big mac attack...
Tom
03-07-2002, 03:31 AM
#24
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After spending a lot of quality time with my 944 (read: working on and fixing) and working with my friends on early 911's through a '95 968, I've come to realize one absolute with Porsche...the engineering is remarkable. I too am uneasy about a pure sports car company breaking ties with its heritage, but I know for a fact that a person buying a Cayenne as their first Porsche will be just as satisfied as we are with the performance, styling, and German ingenuity that has made its mark around the world for over 50 years. Hopefully with time, Porsche will regain its grip on reality (spoken as a joke) and start producing sports cars solely. Until then, we have a four door Porsche to include in our family...if it can keep up. 
--Brad
--Brad
03-07-2002, 10:10 AM
#25
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IanM
I really don't follow your line of thinking in saying that the BMW X5 is the "Most Ridiculous and Pretentious Poseur Mobile".
I don't own one, (my father does)and as with most top end motor vehicles, there tend to be two types of buyer. ie Porsches are bought by enthusiasts (ourselves) and poseurs (I don't need to explain).
X5's can be bought by people like my father who is a keen fisherman, shot and golfer etc. and has had cars (mainly BMW's all his life). Suddenly along comes a car that has enough off-road ability to allow him to do these things without worrying about ripping the exhaust off every time he goes down a dirt track and also provides plentiful loading space. Admittedly it's off-raod capabilities are inferior to that of a Range-Rover (which incidentally I think are death-traps on motorways (people still wonder why they flip when you hit the brakes at >90mph.......hmmmm leaf springs, centre of gravity, crap engineering (although the latest model looks to have eradicated most of this as it's virtually a BMW anyway)). Coupled to this is the fact that the X5 is extremely easy/relaxing to drive due to their commanding driving position and safe to boot.
Now I live in London and when you see a Black X5 go past with all the windows blacked out, the Bass pumping, bull-bars front and rear, then you know this person has probably not bought it for the above reasons.
So, Ian I think it's a little too easy to stereotype a vehicle as you have done, as there generally tend to be different types of buyers, whatever the vehicle ie sports or SUV.
As for the Cayenne, at that kind of price, I would suggest more poseurs will buy it (for snob-value reasons) than functional types. An X5 is a viable alternative to a 5 series saloon or estate.
Is a Cayenne a viable alternative to an X5? If you want value for money and good looks, then definitely not I'd say. If you want the ultimate performance SUV and money is no object, buy the Cayenne. If you only care about having something with one of the finest badges in motoring and want lots of social cache at the supermarket, then buy it.
What I'm trying to say is that we all have different reasons for doing/wanting what we do but if you're dealing with reality and most people don't have £80,000 to spend on an SUV,then why else would you want to spend the extra money over the class leading X5?(NB The X5 IS clearly better than other SUV's currently on the market).Will the Porsche be £40,000 better than the X5? I doubt it.
The clever people will buy the VW which shares a vast majority of parts with the Porsche (admittedly not the engine) and use the money more wisely than trying to get one over their neighbours!
cheers
I really don't follow your line of thinking in saying that the BMW X5 is the "Most Ridiculous and Pretentious Poseur Mobile".
I don't own one, (my father does)and as with most top end motor vehicles, there tend to be two types of buyer. ie Porsches are bought by enthusiasts (ourselves) and poseurs (I don't need to explain).
X5's can be bought by people like my father who is a keen fisherman, shot and golfer etc. and has had cars (mainly BMW's all his life). Suddenly along comes a car that has enough off-road ability to allow him to do these things without worrying about ripping the exhaust off every time he goes down a dirt track and also provides plentiful loading space. Admittedly it's off-raod capabilities are inferior to that of a Range-Rover (which incidentally I think are death-traps on motorways (people still wonder why they flip when you hit the brakes at >90mph.......hmmmm leaf springs, centre of gravity, crap engineering (although the latest model looks to have eradicated most of this as it's virtually a BMW anyway)). Coupled to this is the fact that the X5 is extremely easy/relaxing to drive due to their commanding driving position and safe to boot.
Now I live in London and when you see a Black X5 go past with all the windows blacked out, the Bass pumping, bull-bars front and rear, then you know this person has probably not bought it for the above reasons.
So, Ian I think it's a little too easy to stereotype a vehicle as you have done, as there generally tend to be different types of buyers, whatever the vehicle ie sports or SUV.
As for the Cayenne, at that kind of price, I would suggest more poseurs will buy it (for snob-value reasons) than functional types. An X5 is a viable alternative to a 5 series saloon or estate.
Is a Cayenne a viable alternative to an X5? If you want value for money and good looks, then definitely not I'd say. If you want the ultimate performance SUV and money is no object, buy the Cayenne. If you only care about having something with one of the finest badges in motoring and want lots of social cache at the supermarket, then buy it.
What I'm trying to say is that we all have different reasons for doing/wanting what we do but if you're dealing with reality and most people don't have £80,000 to spend on an SUV,then why else would you want to spend the extra money over the class leading X5?(NB The X5 IS clearly better than other SUV's currently on the market).Will the Porsche be £40,000 better than the X5? I doubt it.
The clever people will buy the VW which shares a vast majority of parts with the Porsche (admittedly not the engine) and use the money more wisely than trying to get one over their neighbours!
cheers
03-07-2002, 11:57 AM
#26
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The Cayenne shows Porsche changing it's ways:
* New 450 HP twin turbocharged V8 - this is an excellent proving ground for, potentially, a new Porsche 997 V8 sports car.
<a href="http://www.autoweek.com/porsche/archive_display.mv?&content_code=00038685&record=4" target="_blank">http://www.autoweek.com/porsche/archive_display.mv?&content_code=00038685&record=4</a>
Seems a sensible plan to me...
<img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />
* New 450 HP twin turbocharged V8 - this is an excellent proving ground for, potentially, a new Porsche 997 V8 sports car.
<a href="http://www.autoweek.com/porsche/archive_display.mv?&content_code=00038685&record=4" target="_blank">http://www.autoweek.com/porsche/archive_display.mv?&content_code=00038685&record=4</a>
Seems a sensible plan to me...
<img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />
03-07-2002, 12:15 PM
#27
Francesco,
My hat comes off to your father. For he sounds like one of the 10% to which I was referring, who has bought the car for the right reasons. I apologize for the stereotype.
My hat comes off to your father. For he sounds like one of the 10% to which I was referring, who has bought the car for the right reasons. I apologize for the stereotype.
03-07-2002, 01:59 PM
#28
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hear, hear BigPorscheGuy39.
a 4x4 is a sure-footed way of trying out a V8. Success or failure, it can be offered as a possible 911 engine - not sure about it sitting on the rear though, weight might be an issue. Still, seems like a sensible thought.
Interestingly, did anyone note that the 996 are considerably longer than the 993? Still handles well, don’t it?
How about further extension to accommodate a V8 at the rear and move front passenger further forward – at the expense of front trunk space reduced from 130ltrs down to say 90ltrs?
**just a thought…..zzzz….zzzz….zzzz….zzzz
a 4x4 is a sure-footed way of trying out a V8. Success or failure, it can be offered as a possible 911 engine - not sure about it sitting on the rear though, weight might be an issue. Still, seems like a sensible thought.
Interestingly, did anyone note that the 996 are considerably longer than the 993? Still handles well, don’t it?
How about further extension to accommodate a V8 at the rear and move front passenger further forward – at the expense of front trunk space reduced from 130ltrs down to say 90ltrs?
**just a thought…..zzzz….zzzz….zzzz….zzzz
03-08-2002, 03:18 PM
#29
Nordschleife Master
It reminds me of both a Pontiac Aztek and a PT Cruiser. But then I have a terminal dislike of all vehicles that are not suited to their supposed (marketed) purpose. What's with the "sport" in SUV? For that matter, where's the utility? Strictly poseur material. They will sell well.
03-08-2002, 08:38 PM
#30
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Personally, I think it's less than attractive, but I've got no inherent problem with Porsche making an SUV, hot-rodded minivan, or station wagon-on-roids (it falls into one of these categories, I guess) - as long as the Cayenne is solidy engineered, performance-oriented, and better than its peers.
Also, I sincerely hope that Porsche will use the success of the Cayenne to foster an earnest return to racing (and build an all-conquering V8-powered 911, ala' George "Swamp Thing"! ). If the Cayenne succeeds, it will be, in large part, due to Porsche's illustrious racing heritage. If racing is forgotten for too long, Porsche will ultimately suffer - I have no doubt about this.
One last thing: if you're going to bring the Cayenne to the U.S., how about the GT3 (and similar cars) as well?! Give the diehard enthusiasts at least as many options as the soccer moms and execs.
Also, I sincerely hope that Porsche will use the success of the Cayenne to foster an earnest return to racing (and build an all-conquering V8-powered 911, ala' George "Swamp Thing"!
). If the Cayenne succeeds, it will be, in large part, due to Porsche's illustrious racing heritage. If racing is forgotten for too long, Porsche will ultimately suffer - I have no doubt about this.One last thing: if you're going to bring the Cayenne to the U.S., how about the GT3 (and similar cars) as well?! Give the diehard enthusiasts at least as many options as the soccer moms and execs.
