"More Obviously a Porsche Outside, But Six Cylinder Falls Short"

Lighter yet roomier, quicker but more fuel-efficient, now genuinely luxurious inside and more obviously a Porsche outside. There's a lot to like about the second-generation Cayenne. But not the gasoline-burning engine under the hood of the $46,700 base model, which goes on sale this fall.

This 3.6-liter V-6 is an updated version of the engine introduced at the 2007 midlife makeover of the first-generation Cayenne. It's a member of the Volkswagen Group's long-lived, narrow-angle, vee-engine family. Designed in the late 1980s, it first appeared in Europe (in the VW Passat) in 1991, and has been persistently developed over two decades, including, in the middle of this decade, the adoption of a 10.6-degree angle instead of the earlier 15 degrees between cylinder banks.

On paper, the engine in the least expensive version of the new Cayenne looks fine. Check the maximum outputs and you'll see the number 295 both times. But while the power and torque figures are highly competitive, driving it reveals that the engine's refinement isn't.

Idle isn't as smooth as it should be. Then, around 3000 rpm, there's a period of tingling vibration. And the last 1000 rpm before redline isn't a pleasant thing to hear. To be blunt, the engine falls short of Porsche's elevated standards.

Exactly how high those standards are has been made plain by the 3.6-liter designed by Porsche for the new V-6 version of the Panamera. The European launch of the Cayenne and Panamera V-6s was staged over consecutive days on roads around Cologne, Germany. Driving one, then, next day, the other, was educational to say the least.

Porsche's own engine is smoother and offers greater sonic satisfaction. The Panamera V-6 also feels more snappily responsive, although some credit for that is surely due to its sporty seven-speed double-clutch - PDK in Porsche's lexicon - transmission. The Cayenne's VW-sourced V-6 is teamed with a not-quite-so-sporty conventional automatic with torque convertor. Made by Japanese company Aisin, it's nevertheless a fine transmission. It deserves to be bolted to a better engine.

Click for more -> 2011 Porsche Cayenne V-6 First Drive - Motor Trend

 

While I agree they should have put the same V6 in the Cayenne as they did the Panamera; I'll point out that many people love the MY08-10 Cayenne V6. The V6 and Cayenne GTS was (easily) our top sellers.

I'm disappointed a little bit; but I suspect sales will continue to be very strong for this SUV. Pend up demand for a New(er) V6 model Cayenne is high- much higher then for either the V8 or Turbo.

 

I was pricing one out and it seems really affordable at first before you get to add options than it adds up to $60k+ easily for the same convenience would you expect standard in other cars. Looks damn good though compared to the older models.

 

You always pay more for a Porsche. Such is the cost of exclusivity and image. (not to mention that cool Porsche drive)

Right?

 

Completely agree, but they put the base price to make it look so attractive to buy!

 

is the panamera V6 developed by Porsche instead of VW? makes no sense to hv 2 versions of V6.

 

The standard V6 is not even available in the UK - it's a special order (with a premium over other markets). Base model is the diesel. I'll be looking to change my current V8 Cayenne S for the new 'S', but I'll give it 12 months or so until the enthusiasm for this model (in the UK) has died down a little.

 

oh they love charging for that kind of stuff, like $750 for XM radio when everyone else gives it to you built in and over 3 grand for navigation

But then again the car is still way cheaper than what people everywhere else in ther world pay

 

Well that makes me feel better! We ended up getting a Porsche Panamera S for our next project car! Stay tuned!