12 Nov 07
Turn into a sharp bend and there are levels of grip that belie the weight and mass involved. Better still, the stability control allows the odd liberty here and there, allowing for adjustment via the throttle. It's addictive stuff.
Strangely, the air suspension can be optioned back on to the GTS (£1,260) but we would recommend avoiding it: if you can tolerate the steel-sprung arrangement's less forgiving ride, the standard arrangement provides for sharper, more direct handling.
Porsche will ask a cool £54,350 for the GTS when it goes on sale in February, pitching it between the regular S and faintly ridiculous £74,650 charged for the range-topping Turbo, which doesn't handle anywhere near as sweetly.
In that respect, the £7,740 premium over the base S model becomes a little easier to swallow. But then there's the underlying problem with the Cayenne in general to consider.
4x4s are some of the most compromised vehicles on the road; and the Cayenne, in turn, is one of the most compromised 4x4s trading notions of off-road capability for on-road prowess.
Pointless is the word that comes to mind. But with the sound of that V8 still echoing in your mind, and the sheer fun of hustling over two tonnes of fun on roads that should have seen it on its roof, I can't help but celebrate the arrival of the finest-driving SUV money can buy.
