There’s a new version of the Porsche Cayenne in town, and it will make its debut later this month at the Beijing Motor Show. The 2013 Cayenne GTS is, like the GTS model of the first-generation Cayenne, designed to fit in between the Cayenne S and the Cayenne GTS.
Like the Cayenne S, the GTS uses a 4.8-liter V-8 engine, but in this case it has been tuned to produce 420 hp instead of 400 hp. The engine is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission with engine stop-start, and all-wheel drive. Whereas the Cayenne S takes a claimed 5.6 seconds to reach 60 mph and can reach 160 mph, Porsche says the GTS will hit the benchmark in just 5.4 seconds and reach a top speed of 162 mph.
The Cayenne GTS, then, has better performance than the S, but it doesn’t tread on the toes of the Cayenne Turbo model. The Turbo, which uses a twin-turbocharged 4.8-liter V-8 engine, produces 500 hp, runs from 0 to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds, and can manage a top speed of 172 mph.
Other changes for the GTS compared to the Cayenne S include new suspension that rides 0.8 inch lower; 20-inch “RS Spyder”-style wheels; a sport exhaust with black tips; gloss-black trim; and the various skirts, fenders, hood, and fascias from the Cayenne Turbo. The interior receives unique powered Alcantara seats and the Sport Chrono feature — a first to the Cayenne lineup. The Cayenne GTS also will be offered in two new colors, Peridot Metallic and Carmine Red, the former of which refers to a green-color gemstone and is seen in these photos.
After its appearance in Beijing on April 24, Porsche will put the 2013 Cayenne GTS on sale here in August. Pricing starts at $83,025 (including a $975 destination charge), again placing the GTS midway between the Cayenne S ($65,975) and the Cayenne Turbo ($108,175).
We had expected the Cayenne GTS to be shown at the Geneva Motor Show in March, but its introduction was reportedly pushed back to draw more attention to the 2013 Porsche Boxster at that show.
