The 2009 Porsche Cayenne lineup features five models: Cayenne ($44,600), Cayenne S ($59,400), Cayenne GTS ($70,900), Cayenne Turbo ($97,700), Cayenne Turbo S ($123,600). Also available will be the 2010 Cayenne S Transsyberia. All models come standard with full-time four-wheel drive (high and low range gearing). The Cayenne V6 and GTS come with a six-speed manual and six-speed automatic optional; all others are six-speed automatics.
Cayenne comes with a 3.6-liter V6 (290 hp, 273 pound-feet of torque). Leather seating with 12-way power adjustment comes standard, along with titanium-look interior trim; manually controlled climate control with charcoal and micro-particle cabin filtration; heated folding exterior mirrors; multi-function trip computer; 12-speaker stereo with CD; air conditioned glove compartment; cruise control; insulated laminated privacy glass; Homelink; immobilizer anti-theft alarm; and an electronically latching power tailgate.
Cayenne S gets a 4.8-liter V8 (385 hp and 369 lb-ft) and 18-inch wheels. Cayenne S adds automatic climate control with dual front-passenger settings and a 350-watt, 14-speaker Bose stereo.
Cayenne GTS spins the 4.8-liter V8 up to 405 hp and adds shorter gearing, lower-ride-height air suspension with Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), big brakes, 21-inch wheels with 295/35 tires, power tilt/telescope wheel, sport seats front and rear with Alcantara inserts, more aggressive bodywork and light-tube front signal/marker lamps.
Cayenne Turbo features a twin-turbocharged version of the V8 (500 hp and 516 lb-ft). The Turbo comes standard with an adjustable air suspension with PASM, heated front and rear seats, and park-assist radar warning front and rear. It's equipped with Porsche Communications Management (PCM), a GPS navigation system with integrated telephone and audio controls, and headlights that turn with the steering wheel.
Cayenne Turbo S bumps power to 550 hp and 553 lb-ft and adds Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (active suspension), ceramic composite brakes, 21-inch wheels, and most luxury amenities.
Options are extensive with fewer available as the base price increases, but even Turbos offer plenty of them. In Porsche fashion you can order seatbelts and gauge faces in matching or complementary colors, sport seats and bodywork upgrades, leathers and interior finishes (aluminum, carbon, wood), choose from multiple steering wheels, add chassis controls and larger wheels, painted wheels and crest logos, get laminated side glass or four-zone climate control, plus more generic items like park warning sensors, a tow hitch and keyless open and start.
Porsche options can be pricey ($750 for XM radio) and unending. Even without using any exclusive factory customizing options, which are virtually limitless, it's none-too-difficult to add a third of the base price in options or run a $60,000 Cayenne S into six digits.
Safety features on all models include electronic stability control, traction control, antilock brakes with off-road capability, trailer stability control, and full-time four-wheel drive. Six airbags come standard: dual-stage front and side-impact airbags for front passengers, and curtain-style head protection airbags on both sides of the cabin. All five seating positions have three-point belts with pretensioners to instantly tighten them and limit stretching on impact. The front belts also have automatic force limiters, reducing potential for belt-related injuries.