Porsche is famous for offering more trim, feature, and color options than a combination salon/nail bar. They add more every year. By the time a Porsche has been on the market for a few years, the list of choices can seem overwhelming. The current version of the iconic 911 is five years old. The company now offers 25 varieties of 911 models to choose from.
Cayenne buyers get a more manageable menu (after all, no one is building targa-top SUVs — yet). But you can still spend anywhere from about $80,000 to nearly $200,000 on a Porsche pepper.
Longtime Porsche fans, though, know which ones to buy. The sweet spot in the lineup of most Porsche models is the GTS.
Midpriced, GTS models are the secret enthusiast variant. They borrow some high-performance parts from the top of the range but keep prices under control by forgoing the most exclusive features. The result is a lot of bang for your buck.
Twin-Turbo V8, Enhanced Suspension, but No Turbo GT Price Premium
Yesterday, Porsche unveiled a GTS model for the recently updated Cayenne, and once again, they’ve managed to nicely Goldilocks the midsize SUV.
It cribs high-performance parts from higher-end models but starts at $126,895 (including the mandatory $1,995 delivery fee) for the SUV model and $131,495 for the SUV Coupe.
The Cayenne GTS uses the twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 of the Cayenne S, but bumps output up to 493 horsepower. That, Porsche says, gives it a 4.2-second 0-60 time.
It gets a dual-chamber air suspension from the extraordinary (and $200,000) Cayenne Turbo GT, with adaptive dampers and torque vectoring as standard equipment. It sits 10 millimeters lower than the base model, and Porsche says, “All suspension components and control systems such as the Porsche Traction Management (PTM) and the optional active roll stabilization Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) are specifically tuned to offer a high degree of road-focused performance.”
Its all-wheel drive (AWD) system also uses the water cooling circuit from the GT.
Visually, you’ll be able to spot a GTS by its tinted taillights, bronze exhaust tips, and larger front air intakes. Trim pieces, like fender molding, rocker panels, and window edges, are gloss-black instead of body color.
Porsche interiors have gone digital. The Cayenne GTS follows the pattern of other Cayenne models — a 12.6-inch curved display takes the place of the gauge cluster, and a 12.3-inch central touchscreen manages entertainment and climate functions. A separate 10.3-inch passenger screen is optional.
Porsche’s Race-Tex synthetic material covers everything from the headliner to the seat centers to the steering wheel. Interior color options include Carmine Red for the adventurous.
