Porsche Cayenne test drive: Be sure to check these features out...

If you're buying a brand new Cayenne, you will have the opportunity of specifying a multitude of options which are costly, but if you're shopping for a used model, it means someone has already kitted it out to their exact preferences. Let's take a look at some of the Cayenne's most notable features - some standard, some extra.

 

Related: All-new Cayenne: The next step forward for Porsche

 

When we attended the International Porsche Cayenne launch in Dubai/Oman last year, there were only three Cayennes on launch (read our driving impression here). Since then, a few more Cayennes have become available. There are now five Cayenne SUVs (of which one is a hybrid) and four Cayenne Coupés, of which one is another hybrid. Prices are current, but please go to the Porsche website for the latest pricing.

 

Related: Range Rover Sport vs. Audi Q8 vs. Porsche Cayenne - Here's our winner

 

Check out these cool features when you take the Cayenne for a test drive...

 

1. The Comfort seats or Sport seats

All Cayennes have 8-way electronic Comfort seats that support you in all the right places. This comes at no extra charge. If you opt for the 14-way electric seats with a memory package, you'll need to part with another 29k. 18-way Adaptive sport seats with integrated head rest and a memory package will cost you just over R35k. Be sure to take a look which seats have been specified if you're buying used.

 

2. The Porsche PCM infotainment system

When you're dropping more than 1.2 million bucks on a car, it's good to know that the Cayenne has some choice standard infotainment spec such as the 12.3-inch touchscreen PCM infotainment display, nestled neatly in the dash. The display is high-resolution and looks the business, and the menus are logically laid out. There are also two rows of physical shortcut buttons for quick access to the system and Apple CarPlay is a standard feature, but not Android Auto. 

3. Porsche's Off-road package

While most Cayenne owners will probably dread going off-road, a select few may want to extend the glamour of their Porsche ownership to the road less-travelled. If you are buying used, then having the Off-road package fitted is an added bonus, as it offers reinforced underbody protection: Rock rails with integrated skid plates, a reinforced engine bay guard, and additional protection for the rear axle, as well as additional displays: A compass display on dashboard, tilt, incline and steering angle (viewed in the PCM display), and and an additional second towing eye. To have this all would cost you R32 320 and you would have to specify PASM (see below) as well.

 

 

4. Adaptive air suspension with levelling system and height adjustment, including Porsche Active Suspension management (PASM).

This is another pricey option but it does allow you to raise or lower the suspension for driving over rocky surfaces, wading through water or packing your groceries into the boot. Be sure to ask the Porsche or used Porsche salesman to confirm whether the car you have your eye on, is specced with this. As per Porsche: 

"Adaptive air suspension with fully load-bearing air-spring struts (three-chamber technology) and self-levelling function. Works in conjunction with the electronically controlled damping system Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) with continuous regulation of damping force and three manually selectable modes. Offers a total of six ride-height positions (including Loading Level)." 

This is a R66 670 option, but you can have PASM on its own, which is only the damping system with Comfort, Sport and Sport Plus modes. This will cost R28 000.

 

 

5. Sport Chrono Package including mode switch

On the centre of the Porsche's elegant dashboard you'll see an analogue and digital stopwatch, as well as a mode switch on the steering wheel where you can select the different driving modes, namely Sport, Sport Plus, and Individual. According to Porsche, Sport Plus allows "performance-orientated settings for the engine, gearbox, and chassis, while Individual mode boasts a personalised selection of sporty vehicle settings." The Sport Chrono Package is a R19 800 option, but Individual mode is standard. That sounds like a lot for so little, but there's a lot more than meets the eye. Porsche Fremont explains:

 

 

"The Porsche Sport Chrono Package offers the following features:

• Driver-Selectable Driving Modes: The steering wheel inside a model with Sport Chrono includes a switch that allows the driver to change the performance profile of their vehicle as they cruise through Milpitas. The switch offers four modes: Normal, SPORT, SPORT PLUS, and Individual.
• Launch Control: Paired with the Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) transmission, Sport Chrono integrates Launch Control, which gives the vehicle a race-start function.
• Motorsports-Inspired Gear Shifting: Sport Chrono gives the PDK unique and racing-derived gear-shifting strategies for the fastest acceleration possible.
• SPORT Response: SPORT Response allows you to press a button in the centre of the mode switch. Pressing this button gears the engine and transmission up to release a tremendous amount of power for about 20 seconds, giving you maximum acceleration and responsiveness.
• Interior Upgrades: Models with the Porsche Sport Chrono Package include a few distinctive features inside the cabin, including a dash-mounted stopwatch and PCM upgrades like a performance display.
• Dynamic Transmission Mounts: With Sport Chrono, vibrations and oscillations within the drivetrain are minimized, making it possible for the transmission to change gears almost imperceptibly."

 

Source: Porsche.com, Porsche Fremont.