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Porsche Cayenne V6 Photography by Sammy Chan
After bringing new levels of dynamic performance to the sport utility vehicle market, Porsche expands the scope of its appeal with the 2004 Porsche Cayenne, the first model in the company’s history powered by a V6 engine. The newest Cayenne takes its place in the Porsche SUV lineup alongside the Cayenne S and Cayenne Turbo models launched last year. The newest Cayenne goes on sale January 10 in North American markets. Standard equipment includes the new V6 engine, a six-speed Tiptronic S transmission and such Porsche technologies as Porsche Stability Management and Porsche Traction Management, plus much more, including leather seating surfaces for five people and side-curtain airbags. Base prices are $42,900 in the United States and $60,850 in Canadian dollars. Compared to BMW's X5 3.0i, the Cayenne is relatively cheap at only $2,350 more than a similarly equipped BMW. The Cayenne option list includes the Porsche Communication Management system that features a navigation system and Porsche’s new Advanced Offroad Technology Package, which also becomes available on the Cayenne S and Cayenne Turbo models. Except for its engine and a few other components, the 2004 Porsche Cayenne is identical in design and construction to the Cayenne S and Cayenne Turbo. The only visual clues to differentiate the new model from its siblings are its black-colored brake calipers, its standard, 10-spoke, light-alloy, 17-inch wheels, and a "Cayenne" script on its rear hatch without an "S" or "Turbo" suffix. The 2004 Porsche Cayenne features a 3.2-liter V6 engine tuned by Porsche engineers to produce 247 horsepower (SAE) at 6,000 rpm and 228 pound-feet of torque, with that peak torque figure achieved all the way from 2,500 rpm to 5,500 rpm. Working though the Tiptronic S transmission and Porsche’s four-wheel-drive systems, the V6 propels the 2004 Porsche Cayenne from a standing start to 62 miles per hour (100 km/h) in 9.7 seconds. The 2004 Porsche Cayenne’s top speed in track testing is 133 mph (214 km/h). Other performance figures include 0-100 mph (160 km/h) in 25.0 seconds and a standing-start, one-kilometer (.62-mile) sprint in 30.8 seconds. The V6’s performance includes 15 city and 19 highway fuel economy figures (15.6 liters per 100 km city and 12.2 per 100 km highway in Canada). The 2004 Porsche Cayenne has a 26.4 gallon (100 liter) fuel tank. While the engine block is sourced from Volkswagen, which is Porsche’s partner in the construction of the Cayenne’s unit-body chassis, the 15-degree, 3.2-liter V6 engine has been extensively reworked by Porsche engineers. They designed an entirely new intake system for the engine, with two overhead camshafts and continuously variable intake valve timing. They also reworked the exhaust system to provide the sound that immediately identifies the Cayenne as a true Porsche. Porsche engineers also designed modifications to the engine for towing, including the engine cooling system. To verify the Cayenne’s ability in extreme conditions, testing was done while pulling the maximum load (7,716 pounds or 3500 kg) in temperatures as high as 122 degrees Fahrenheit (50 degrees Celsius). Just like the Cayenne Turbo and Cayenne S, the 2004 Porsche Cayenne is equipped with a six-speed Tiptronic S transmission designed to provide an enhanced range of individual gear increments and to retain the driver’s option to shift gears manually by tipping the selector lever on the center console or simply by using switches on the steering wheel that can be activated by the driver’s thumbs. The driver can press the upper portion of the thumb switch or tip the center console shift selector forward to advance the gears, or press the lower part of the thumb switch or tip the shift selector back to downshift. All Cayenne models are equipped with Porsche Traction Management (PTM), a permanent four-wheel drive system, and Porsche Stability Management (PSM). PTM feeds the engine’s power through a multiple-plate clutch operated by an electric motor. In normal driving, PTM feeds 62 percent of the engine power to the rear wheels and 38 percent to the front wheels, achieving a feel for the driver that is similar to Porsche’s rear-engined sports cars. However, whenever necessary, PTM can direct up to 100 percent of the engine’s torque either to the front or the rear wheels. The map-controlled longitudinal differential lock and a locking rear axle differential, available as an option, not only respond to any lack of traction on the front or rear wheels, but incorporate sensors measuring vehicle speed, lateral acceleration, the steering angle, and gas pedal operation. PTM calculates the optimum locking action on both axles and spreads drive forces as needed to the front and rear wheels. When driven in light terrain, the Cayenne can handle all traction requirements through its intelligent four-wheel drive. However, when the going gets tough, PTM interacts with the reduced-ratio off-pavement gear; as soon as the driver activates the low-range mode, PTM and PSM adjust ABS (anti-lock brake system), ABD (automatic brake differential) and differential control settings to special off-pavement calibrations. Should the terrain become so tough that individual wheels might lose contact with the surface, the four-wheel drive system is linked by rigid, firm connections to keep the driver on the move. All the driver has to do is flip the off-pavement switch located on the interior center console a second time to obtain a 100 percent front-to-rear wheel lock through the locking center differential. Advanced Offroad Technology Package With the introduction of the 2004 Porsche Cayenne, Porsche offers an Advanced Offroad Technology Package for the most extreme off-pavement conditions. This new system is available on the Cayenne S and Cayenne Turbo as well as on the Porsche Cayenne. The package includes special side protection and a steel plate under floor panel around the radiator as well as a fully controllable (up to 100 percent) differential lock on the rear axle. To fully activate the lock, the driver operates the central off-pavement switch a third time. The fully controlled rear axle lock then ensures even better traction when setting off on slippery surfaces with varying frictional coefficients or when negotiating curves. The package also uses anti-roll bars on the front and rear axle. These anti-roll bars have built in "claw clutches" that are hydraulically activated and deactivated by a switch in the center console. This allows increased front and rear axle articulation by 2.36 inches (60 mm), which improves ride comfort by minimizing body sway and enhancing off-pavement driving qualities and traction when negotiating rocks, tree trunks or bumps. To ensure the Cayenne’s sporting driving qualities on the road, the anti-roll bars can only be disconnected in the low range mode. As soon as the Cayenne, with its anti-roll bars disconnected, returns from rough terrain to the road, the anti-roll bars are automatically reconnected as a safety feature once the vehicle exceeds 31 mph (50 km/h), thus providing the type of stability required for on-pavement driving. |