New Porsche Cayenne GTS revealed
Official pics and info on sharper, more focused luxury SUV
THIS is the new Porsche Cayenne GTS, a sharper, more focused version of the firm’s largest SUV. Available in standard and coupé bodystyles, it’s on sale now from £85,930, and first deliveries are due in July.
As before, the GTS model plugs the gap between the Cayenne S and Cayenne Turbo, incorporating new chassis and suspension components to separate it dynamically.
The biggest change, however, is its powertrain. While the previous Cayenne GTS used a turbocharged 3.6-litre twin-turbo V6, the new GTS adopts a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8. Power stands at 454bhp – an increase of 20bhp – while the torque figure creeps up by 20Nm, to a maximum of 620Nm.
Porsche claims that with the optional Sport Chrono pack, the Cayenne GTS cracks 0-62mph in 4.5 seconds and goes on to a top speed of 173mph. Drive is sent to all four wheels through a Porsche Tiptronic S eight-speed automatic transmission.
The GTS model features a different chassis tune from the base Cayenne’s, with the standard steel spring set-up lowering the car by 20mm. Porsche Active Suspension Management adaptive dampers are fitted as standard, as is Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus. This system automatically applies brake pressure to individual wheels while cornering, to improve the handling.
Further chassis options include carbonceramic brakes, adaptive three-chamber air suspension, rear-axle steering and Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control body-roll stabilisation, to further keep the Cayenne’s considerable mass under control.
Visually, all GTS models come fitted with a Sport Design package as standard, including exterior gloss-black trim, glossblack 21-inch wheels and darkened LED head and tail-lights. An optional sports exhaust system also introduces two, centrally mounted oval tailpipes – a feature that’s exclusive to the GTS for now. Inside, the new model gets Alcantara trim on the headliner, seat centre panels, centre console armrests and doors.
LOCAL authorities could gain powers allowing them to issue £130 fines to drivers who block box junctions, drive the wrong way up one-way streets or contravene bus lanes, after a minister said that the Department for Transport was “giving thought” to expanding their responsibilities.
London councils and Cardiff Council are already able to issue moving-traffic fines, but other councils must apply to do so under the Traffic Management Act 2004. Many councils have applied to administer bus lane-fines, but boxjunction penalties and other minor offences, such as failing to give priority to oncoming vehicles, generally remain under the control of the police – a responsibility the Local Government Association has said officers have “largely ceased to enforce”.
With councils across England and Wales saying they need £10billion from central Government due to falling income and rising costs related to coronavirus, granting them powers to raise revenue via moving-traffic penalties would be one method to help swell their coffers.
The news comes after a junior transport minister, Baroness Vere, said: “We are giving thought to the role these powers could play in helping councils to deliver their transport recovery plans.” Meanwhile, Nicholas Lyes, head of roads policy at the RAC, said councils are well placed to understand traffic issues, but warned: “cash-strapped authorities may see this as an opportunity to extract more revenue from drivers.”
“Granting councils powers to raise revenue via traffic penalties would be one way to swell their coffers”