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April 22, 2008

Uber-paid, über-sexed and über there

When Porsche revised the Cayenne last year, it quietly dropped the range-topping Turbo S model from the line-up. Had a measure of social conscience crept into that icon of green-baiting SUVism? Did all those sanctimonious faux parking tickets finally get to them?

No. The Turbo S has been relaunched at the Beijing Auto Show - apt, as Porsche is looking East for potential customers.

'There is huge demand, especially in the new emerging markets of Eastern Europe and Asia, for exclusive sports-style SUVs,' says Porsche, passing the canapés to Arabian oil barons and Russian oligarchs.

Naturally, the Turbo S is even more powerful and faster than the previous generation. Its twin-turbo 4.8-litre V8 now produces a whacking 542bhp (up 39bhp) and 553lb ft of torque - enough to see the hippo-faced Cayenne to 62mph in 4.7 seconds. Frightening stuff.

With performance like that, you'd be wise to spec the optional ceramic composite brakes (370mm at the back and 410mm up front, no less) to slot behind the 21-inch alloys. Thankfully, Porsche's chassis control and suspension management systems are fitted as standard.

Porsche is highlighting the green credentials of the Turbo S. Honestly. See, despite all the extra power and fury, the new model emits the same levels of CO2 and returns the same fuel economy as the outgoing version. That's, erm, 358g/km and 19mpg respectively.

The price of this green behemoth? £90,000 or thereabouts, sir.

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  • Porsche Cayenne Turbo S
  • Porsche Cayenne Turbo S
  • Porsche Cayenne Turbo S

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