10 Facts About the 2019 Porsche Cayenne

The 2019 Porsche Cayenne won’t arrive in Canadian dealerships until summer 2018. But in the meantime, here are 10 things you need to know about this popular midsize SUV.

The Cayenne Turbo will be the world’s first SUV with an adaptive roof spoiler. Depending on the angle, which is determined by computer, this spoiler either increases downforce or slows the vehicle down (air brake) like on the 911.

The new Cayenne uses more aluminum than ever before. The chassis, roof, floor, doors, hood and liftgate are made of aluminum. This strategy has helped shave 65 kilograms off the total weight. And incidentally, the Cayenne is 95% recyclable.

The 2019 Cayenne will be the first Porsche vehicle to feature Porsche Surface Coated Brakes (PSCBs). The discs are covered with extremely hard tungsten-carbide and are 30% more resistant than steel discs. Obviously, the callipers (ten-piston front and four-piston rear) have been adjusted accordingly ($$$$ and maybe $$$$$). White in colour, these callipers were purposely chosen by Porsche because PSCBs emit virtually no dust. Ceramic brakes will still be available on option.

Rear-wheel steering is available on option on all Cayennes. First seen on the 911, this type of steering helps the rear wheels pivot three degrees for enhanced handling. It also decreases the turning radius from 12.1 metres to 11.5.

For the first time, the Cayenne’s rear tires are wider than its front tires - like a sports car! And they’re bigger than on the previous version, too. The basic Cayenne runs on front 255/55ZR19 tires and rear 275/50ZR19 tires. The Cayenne Turbo has 285/40ZR21 tires in front and 315/35ZR21 tires in back. The test vehicles were fitted with Pirelli P Zero tires. Expect to spend a fortune for these tires, especially for the Turbo, as they may be difficult to find outside the dealerships.

First seen in the 2018 Panamera, this console breaks from the previous generation’s button-laden console. What’s good about this almost entirely digital version is that if you choose not to take a certain option, there isn’t a piece of plastic covering the space where the button would normally have been. In this photo, taken in a base version of the Cayenne, you can see that ventilated seats were not among the options ordered by the owner. Thus, this icon simply doesn’t light up. It’s there, of course, but unless you go out of your way to find the perfect angle for a photo, you don’t see it.

Unlike the previous-generation Cayenne, the Porsche Connect system also accepts Android telephones. In this photo, an iPhone was connected to the system, which explains why there’s no mention of Android.

Cayennes equipped with the Sport Chrono option have this button on the right spoke of the steering wheel. This dial lets you choose between four driving modes (Normal, Sport, Sport + and Individual) and in the middle there’s another, harmless-looking black button. Word to the wise: it activates Sport Response, like on the new 911. Want to leave a slowpoke in the dust? Sport Response sends 20 seconds of overboost to the turbos. It also immediately shifts the gearbox into the ideal gear and the accelerator becomes more sensitive. A countdown then appears in front of the driver, who then has 20 seconds to pass - and that’s more than enough time.

In all Porsche vehicles, you start the engine using a key located on the left of the steering wheel. However, there’s a story behind the ignition’s location. Between 1925 and 1969 at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, drivers were required to run to their cars at the signal. By placing the key on the left, Porsche saved precious tenths of seconds, since the pilot was able to start the engine faster. Today, although most manufacturers have switched to push-button ignitions, Porsche has kept the key, non-traditional as it may be. The real key is a device that you keep in your pocket or toss in a cupholder in the central console. To start the 2019 Cayenne’s engine, instead of pushing a red button, simply turn the key-like protuberance.

Optional on the Cayenne and Cayenne S and factory standard on the Cayenne Turbo, there’s an adaptive three-chamber air suspension. Each of the dampers has three air chambers instead of a single one, bringing with them a wide range of spring rates, controlled by the new 4D Chassis Control system.