Review: Porsche Cayenne Coupe (2019-on)

Overview

To be released in Europe in May 2019, the Porsche Cayenne Coupe is a large SUV with a raked roofline. To be manufactured in Bratislava, Slovakia, the Porsche Cayenne Coupe will initially be available with 3.0-litre turbo V6 and 4.0-litre biturbo V8 petrol engines that are mated to eight-speed ZF automatic transmissions (see table below). Like the related Porsche E3 Cayenne , however, an E-Hybrid variant is expected to follow.

To reduce fuel consumption, all engines have:

• A start-stop system which can shut down the engine when the vehicle is stationary; and,
• A coasting function which can decouple the driveline from the engine to prevent engine braking and thereby reduce fuel consumption.

Compared to the Porsche E3 Cayenne , the Cayenne Coupe can be identified by its unique rear end, adaptive rear spoiler (which extends by 135 mm at speeds of 90 km/h and above) and panoramic fixed glass roof or an optional carbon roof. Inside, the Cayenne Coupe has two individual second row seats as standard, though the three-seat rear bench of the Cayenne is available as an option.

All-wheel drive system

As standard, the Porsche Cayenne Coupe has an active all-wheel drive with an electronically variable, map-controlled multi-plate clutch for variable torque distribution between the front and rear axles. As such, there is no pre-determined torque split and the Porsche Traction Management (PTM) system continually monitors driving conditions. If, for example, the rear wheels start to spin when accelerating, the multi-plate clutch engages to direct more power to the front wheels. When cornering, the delivery of power to the front wheels is also monitored for lateral stability. The all-wheel drive system also includes an automatic brake differential which, if the driven wheels begin to spin, brakes the wheel with the higher level of slip.

Body and dimensions

The Porsche Cayenne Coupe is underpinned by Volkswagen AG’s MLB evo platform which was shared with the Porsche E3 Cayenne , Audi 4M Q8 and Bentley Bentayga . The body of the Porsche Cayenne Coupe uses a combination of aluminium alloys and steel. Specifically, the floorpan assembly, front section and ‘virtually all the chassis components’ are manufactured from aluminium alloys. Furthermore, all exterior body panels (i.e. the bonnet, front wings, side panels, doors, roof and tailgate) are made of aluminium and the lithium-ion polymer starter battery achieves a mass reduction of 10 kg.

Compared to the Porsche E3 Cayenne , the Cayenne Coupe is 13 mm longer (at 4931 mm), the same width (1983 mm), 20 mm lower (1676 mm) and has the same length wheelbase (2895 mm). Furthermore, the Cayenne Coupe has a luggage capacity of 620 litres, though this increases to 1540 litres when the rear seats are folded down.

Suspension

The Porsche Cayenne Coupe has aluminium multi-link suspension front and rear. As standard, the Porsche Cayenne Coupe has steel springs with passive shock absorbers. Expected to be standard for Australian deliveries, however, Porsche’s Active Suspension Management Technology (PASM) consists of continuously adjustable shock absorbers and a pair of accelerometers. PASM enables the driver to select from drive modes which also adjust engine mapping, steering assistance and transmission behaviour.

In addition to PASM, the Porsche Cayenne Turbo Coupe is expected to be fitted with: 

• Adaptive three-chamber air suspension; and,
• Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) which consists of active anti-roll bars that respond to steering angle and lateral acceleration to provide a stabilising force and reduce body roll.

Steering

The Porsche Cayenne Coupe has rack-and-pinion steering with electric power assistance. The steering has a ratio of 13.3:1 from the centre position and provides a turning circle of 12.1 metres (diameter).

As an option, the Cayenne Coupe is expected to be available with rear axle steering. At low speeds, the rear wheels turn in the opposite direction to the front wheels to improve manoeuvrability; at high speeds, the wheels turn in the same direction to increase stability. With rear axle steering, the Cayenne Coupe has a steering ratio of 12.2:1 from the centre position and the minimum turning circle is 11.5 metres (diameter).

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Porsche Cayenne Coupe includes dual front airbags, dual front knee airbags, front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, electronic stability control, traction control, trailer sway control, front and outer rear seatbelts with pre-tensioners and front seatbelt load limiters.

As standard, the Porsche Cayenne Coupe is fitted with:

• Warn and Brake Assist: uses the front radar sensors and camera to detect collision risks with cars, pedestrians or cyclists. Initially, the driver receives visual and acoustic warnings. In its second stage, the brakes are applied for a ‘jolting’ effect. If the driver fails to respond, autonomous emergency braking (AEB) is initiated to reduce vehicle speed;
• Lane Change Assist: operating at speeds from 15 km/h to 250 km/h, Lane Change Assist uses a radar to monitor traffic in adjacent lanes up to 70 metres behind the Cayenne Coupe and warns the driver of approaching traffic by illuminating LEDs in the corresponding door mirror; and,
• Multi-collision brake: following a collision, the brakes are applied for controlled deceleration to reduce the likelihood and severity of subsequent collisions. The multi-collision brake function, however, can be over-ridden by the driver.

As standard, the Porsche Cayenne Coupe is fitted with an ‘active bonnet’ which has pyrotechnic actuators in the bonnet hinges. In the event of a pedestrian collision, the actuators deploy and locks keep the bonnet in a raised position to provide additional deformation space between the bonnet and hard structures beneath it.

As extra-cost options, the Porsche Cayenne Coupe is expected to be available with:

• Adaptive Cruise Control including Emergency Stop Function: operating at speeds from 30 km/h to 210 km/h, Adaptive Cruise Control controls vehicle speed and distance from other vehicles. The stop-and-go function enables the Cayenne Coupe to brake until stationary and automatically accelerate if the vehicle has been stationary for less than three seconds; for longer periods, the accelerator needs to be depressed to initiate acceleration. Adaptive Cruise Control also includes an autonomous emergency braking function;
• Lane Keeping Assist: active at speeds from 65 km/h to 250 km/h, Lane Keeping Assist uses a forward-facing camera to monitor the Cayenne Coupe’s position within its lane. In the event that the Cayenne Coupe is about to depart from its lane without indicating, corrective steering inputs are applied to return the vehicle to the centre of its lane and the driver is alerted via steering wheel pulsations; and,
• Night Vision Assistant: uses an infrared imaging camera to detect people and large animals up to 300 metres ahead, and displays a colour highlighted warning indicator in the cockpit.

Euro NCAP testing

In Euro NCAP testing , the related 2017 Porsche Cayenne received a five star safety rating which included a 95 per cent adult occupant protection rating, an 80 per cent child occupant protection rating and a 62 per cent ‘safety assist’ rating. In the frontal offset test, protection of the driver’s head, thighs and feet were rated as good, though chest and lower leg protection was rated as adequate (i.e. a slight risk of serious injury). Maximum points were awarded in the side impact test; in the more severe pole test, however, protection of the driver’s chest was rated as adequate.

Features: Porsche Cayenne Coupe

Standard features for the Porsche Cayenne Coupe are expected to include the Porsche Communication Management (PCM 4.1) system which has a 12.3-inch full-HD touchscreen, ‘Porsche Connect Plus’ for online satellite navigation with real-time traffic information, a SIM card reader, Wi-Fi hotspot, Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity, voice control, Apple Car Play smartphone integration. The Porsche Cayenne Coupe is expected to have a 150 watt hi-fi sound system with ten speakers and a digital radio tuner. For connectivity, the Porsche Cayenne Coupe will have two USB charging and connectivity sockets in the centre console storage compartment, two USB charging sockets in the rear centre console and three 12 volt power sockets.

Beyond this, standard features for Australian-delivered Porsche Cayenne Coupes are expected to include fourteen-way power adjustable front seats with memory package, partial leather seats, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, cruise control, LED headlights with dusk-sensing function (Porsche’s ‘driving light assistant’), LED daytime running lights, rain-sensing wipers, front and rear parking sensors (Porsche’s ‘ParkAssist’), steering wheel gearshift paddles, remote central locking with proximity key, power adjustable and heated door mirrors with power folding, power windows, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, auto-dimming interior and door mirrors, push-button start, illuminated vanity mirrors, rear privacy glass, an automatic tailgate, tyre pressure monitoring, a trip computer, an alarm and immobiliser.

The Porsche Cayenne Coupe is also expected to be equipped with Porsche’s Surround View, a surround view camera system which provides a bird’s eye graphical representation of the vehicle on the central display screen and shows the proximity of nearby obstacles.

Further information will be available closer to launch.