A Drive in the Porsche Cayenne Coupe

Porsche Cayenne Coupe | Porsche Cayenne Coupe

Not Just a Derivative of the Cayenne

As a derivative of the Porsche Cayenne,The Cayenne Coupe was announced in March 2019.Its sporty silhouette, with a roofline sloping towards the rear, is striking, but what is the actual driving impression? We present a report by motor journalist Tatsuya Kushima.

Text by KUSHIMA Tatsuya
Photographs by Porsche Japan

Only the Hood and Front Fenders are Shared with the Standard Body

Are you familiar with the "Cayenne Coupe"? You might be thinking, "Ah, it's the coupe version of the Cayenne. Like a BMW X6, right?" And indeed, that's correct. Just as the BMW X6 was created by making the roof of the X5 a coupe, the Cayenne Coupe is an SUV created by modifying the "Cayenne." In Mercedes terms, it's akin to the GLE Coupe or GLC Coupe.

So, what kind of character does it have? Surprisingly sporty and quite impressive. It possesses a distinct character that belies its origin as a mere derivative of the Cayenne. I had the opportunity to get behind the wheel at an international test drive event held in Graz, Austria, and the result was remarkably impressive.

Furthermore, I heard an interesting story during an interview with the developers. The concept for the Cayenne Coupe had actually been in the works for a considerable time, and it was already a done deal during the previous generation (second generation) Cayenne. However, to avoid it becoming merely a "modified" custom car, they waited until the development of the current generation (third generation). This means that although the launch was delayed, the Cayenne Coupe was developed concurrently with the Cayenne.

As a result, only the hood and front fenders are shared with the standard Cayenne; many other parts are different. Typically, this type of model shares components up to the B-pillar, but that doesn't seem to be the case with the Cayenne Coupe. The angle of the A-pillar alone is different, indicating an extraordinary level of attention to detail.

Agile Handling Exceeds the Standard Body

Looking beyond the exterior design, a key point is the 88mm wider rear track. This clearly enhances rear stability and improves dynamic performance. The overall height has also been reduced by 20mm, lowering the center of gravity.

The investment in the bodywork may be due to the shared powertrain. The three engine options and transmissions for the "Coupe," "Coupe S," and "Turbo Coupe" are identical to those in the standard Cayenne. The V6 engines produce 340ps and 440ps, while the V8 produces 550ps.

As for the actual driving impression, as mentioned earlier, it is sporty and very good. The direct response to throttle and brake inputs, along with the agile handling, surpasses that of the standard body. The handling of the 340ps Cayenne Coupe, in particular, was outstanding. Despite its substantial body, it navigates corners with remarkable nimbleness, which is truly impressive. The advantage of the wider rear track was clearly felt.

Regarding agility, it's worth noting that the test vehicle was equipped with the "Lightweight Sports Package" featuring a carbon roof. While the coupe's body, reinforced from the standard model, inherently added weight, this package successfully offset it, resulting in a net weight change of zero. There's no doubt that this package plays a significant role in the driving dynamics.

SUV Coupes May Become a New Trend

Incidentally, checking the Japanese specifications reveals that the "Lightweight Sports Package" is indeed available. What's more, it's impressive that three variations of the package, with slightly different specifications, can be chosen according to preference.

If your budget allows, I would recommend this package. However, it's also worth noting that if the roof is not carbon, a glass roof is installed. This was evident when I sat in the rear seats, which offered a sense of spaciousness. For the Cayenne Coupe, with its sloping roofline, a glass roof is a welcome feature for occupants.

In summary, the Cayenne Coupe is an all-new model. In Japan, orders began on April 22nd for the Cayenne Coupe and Cayenne Turbo Coupe, and on June 21st for the Cayenne S Coupe. The specifications for all three models can also be found on the official Porsche Japan website, so please check them there. Deliveries are scheduled to begin this autumn. SUV coupes might just be the next big trend.