New Porsches give rivals run for their money

Ask anyone driving a Porsche, why a Porsche? Flag him down if you can. On second thoughts, don’t; it’s too risky. But their answer would be because Porsches are trendy, well-adjusted and high performance.

Even if you talked to someone with an earlier version of a Porsche, let’s say the Macan, or the Panamera, most likely you’d get the same answer.

This, perhaps, is the reason why the Porsche brand snatched 18 per cent of the luxury car market two months after setting up shop in Kenya. Previously, you could only import a Porsche.

Within the first five months of operation in Kenya, the luxury car dealer overtook DT Dobie’s top luxury brand Mercedes in vehicle sales, selling 82 units of its models.

The Cayenne, which was introduced by Porsche in 2002, is the most popular Porsche selling 79 units up to September last year, according to data by the Kenya Motor Association.

Last month, the Porsche centre in Nairobi unveiled five new Cayenne models to keep up with demand for the high-end cars. The unveiled brands included the Cayenne GTS, Cayenne S, Cayenne Turbo, Cayenne Turbo S and the Cayenne V6 with price ranging between Sh9 to Sh22 million, inclusive of taxes.

The Cayenne V6, which is the base model is backed by a 3.6-litre aspirated engine and sets you back Sh9,593,000. It has a top speed of 230km/h, same as the previous model.

The Cayenne Turbo S, which can accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 4.1 seconds, has the most expensive price tag at Sh22,571,000 – a beast on wheels with a 284km/h top speed.

The Cayenne Turbo S packs a 570 horsepower engine coupled with a torque of 800 Newton metres (590 ft lb) giving it the necessary strength to reach its top speed.

It has 21-inch wheels in distinctive 911 turbo design with black painted edges, full-leather interior with the Porsche logo on all head restraints as well as interior carbon accents.

The Cayenne S costs Sh11,462,000 and is backed by a six-cylinder engine with a top speed of 259km/h. The Cayenne S accelerates from zero to 100km/h in 5.5 seconds.

The Cayenne GTS is the next up the ladder, adding Sh1.9 million from the previous model to cost Sh13,297,000. The vehicle has a top speed of 262 km/h and gets to 100km/h in 5.2 seconds. This is where it gets interesting; the price gaps to the next Cayenne model up the ladder.

For the Cayenne Turbo, you’ll have to fork out a cool Sh3.5 million up from the price of the Cayenne GTS, that is for a total of Sh16,946,000.

With just 4.5 seconds to reach 100km/h, powered is provided by a 4.8-litre bi-turbo V8 engine that produces 520hp at 6,000 rpm and 750 Newton metres of torque from 2,250 to 4,000 rpm.

What’s different about these new models?

The looks of these Porsche make you pause and admire the Cayenne parked outside your driveway, waiting to be brought to life. Well, Porsche designers had this in mind by giving the Cayenne a sharper design with specific lines purposefully placed to refract light.

To cap the Porsche’s strong visual statement are new air fins on the right and left of the vehicle’s front.

The back of the Cayenne is what gives the car a captivating look. With the new models, the rear has been updated and the layout of the rear lights creates a three-dimensional effect.

The brake lights, just like the LED daytime running lights in the front, are designed in four elements. The bi-xenon headlights are also captivating.

Interior

Porsche designers have improved the interior, giving much focus to the driver’s space which now has a multi-functional sports steering wheel complete with shift paddles. The multi-functional sports steering wheel can also be found in the 918 Spyder
For a long drive, perhaps a family journey, the Cayenne models offer comfort to occupants seated in the rear.

The seats can also be ventilated, which works by directing air flow onto the seat cushion.

You can personalise your Cayenne by choosing leather for the interior, or carbon and wood. This gives the Porsche your own personal touch.