When Porsche announced that it would make an SUV back in the early 2000s, car enthusiasts, and more importantly Porschephiles were livid that their beloved sports car brand was being tarnished by this new hulking piece of monstrosity. Even to this day, the ‘sport’ in SUV is still merely a suggestion, as most SUVs still have the grace of an elephant trying to dance on stilettos.
Yet Porsche was one of the first car manufacturers to successfully pull off this impossible feat when it introduced the Cayenne back in 2002. It was an awkward looking vehicle that looked more like a beached whale that had just been to the orthodontist, but it sold like hotcakes and ended up saving Porsche from the financial woes it had been suffering at the time. It was also one of the first SUVs that had some sporting intent, surprising drivers for seemingly bending the laws of physics.
The second generation Cayenne wasn’t a looker by any means, but was a definite improvement over the first. For the 2019 model year, Porsche introduces their third generation Cayenne, which may seem more like an evolution than revolution. However, Porsche claims this generation Cayenne is more 911-like than ever before.
The 2019 Porsche Cayenne retains its familiar exterior design, with similar proportions, with the rear design offering the most dramatic change. Gone are the two awkwardly shaped taillights, replaced by a horizontal light strip that continues throughout the width of the car.
A wide range of engine choices will be on offer, from a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 to a twin-turbo 2.9-liter V6 that produces 440 PS and 405 ft-lbs of torque, propelling the vehicle to 62 in just 4.9 seconds in the Cayenne S. Like most Porsche models, the Cayenne model range will most likely expand to include an alphabet soup of performance models as well as hybrid versions.
Inside, the vehicle takes a huge leap forward with a more modern cabin. The new center console takes a chapter from the new Panamera, with a simplified layout and touch sensitive buttons.
Scheduled to officially debut at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show, the 2019 Porsche Cayenne will soon be available to order.