2006 Porsche Cayenne S Road Test
11-28-2006
by
Amyot Bachand
, Auto123.com
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Unparalleled drivetrain
The Cayenne S has many qualities. It doesn't feel uneasy in the city, where it can brilliantly edge its way thanks to a well-proportioned  | | 2006 Porsche Cayenne S (Photo: Amyot Bachand, Auto123.com) |
body. On the highway, it can drive quietly or furiously while never losing its stability. The huge rear disc brakes slow the vehicle down in a matter of seconds; mine stopped from 100 to 0 kph over less than 35 meters. You can let the automatic transmission shift gears for you or, as I preferred, you can use the Tiptronic manual mode that makes the vehicle flex its muscles. Indeed, the Tiptronic mode allows better accelerations (0-100 kph in 7.9 seconds compared to 8.66 seconds in automatic mode) and faster passing maneuvers (80-120 kph in 5.53 seconds compared to 6.42 seconds). These figures really illustrate the performance of the Cayenne S. Handling in sharp corners is also outstanding. Thanks to the adjustable suspension, you can choose the settings that best suit the road conditions. Moreover, I would go as far as to say that this Porsche is a track monster; the company's test driver proved it a couple of  | | 2006 Porsche Cayenne S (Photo: Amyot Bachand, Auto123.com) |
weeks ago. The predictable and confidence-inspiring behavior helps during sporty driving. What else would you expect from a Porsche?
Trailer truck
When the time came to attach a trailer to the back of the Cayenne S, I thought I had to lock the differentials to be able to climb over the curb but no, the engine's torque and the four-wheel drive system smoothly handled the job. In Tremblant, I locked one of the differentials to tow my loaded trailer on the slippery hills, just for safety precautions. On the road, the Cayenne S acted as if there wasn't even a trailer attached to it. The vehicle remained stable and never showed any signs of fatigue after climbing long, steep hills. Actually, it was like the hills did not exist. In my mind, the Cayenne S is a cross between a sprinter and a long-distance runner.  | | 2006 Porsche Cayenne S (Photo: Amyot Bachand, Auto123.com) |
However, such an athlete needs a lot of fluid to keep it energized. My average fuel consumption rating was an incredible 21.2 L/100 km.
Bad weather? No problem!
With winter approaching, it's a good time to take advantage of the Cayenne's excellent 4WD system. Even if you have the best SUV with the best tires in the world, remember that this type of vehicle is heavy and has a high center of gravity. On a slippery surface, even with its exceptional drivetrain, the Cayenne S is still bound by the laws of physics. So, modulate your speed and your braking. |
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