Porsche Cayenne

Spy photographs of the '03 Porsche Cayenne are finally giving a clear look at the face of this controversial sport/utility vehicle. The massive front end seen in earlier spy shots has given way to a more 911-like nose, with swept-back headlights and a three-piece grille under the bumper. Porschephiles have slammed the company because they felt it sacrificed its Le Mans effort last year to concentrate on the SUV. This year, Porsche returns to the famed 24-hour enduro with its Carrera GT ('News,' Jan. '01), which should go a long way toward satisfying the purists. Stuttgart managed to develop both the GT and the Cayenne at the same time-with impressive results. To show how serious it is about the Cayenne, Porsche Cars North America has even become a member of the organization Tread Lightly!, which promotes 'ethical land use' by off-roaders.

Meanwhile, VW's showing of the Advanced Activity Concept pickup has led to speculation that its version of the Cayenne, codenamed Colorado, will eventually spawn sport/utility truck-style variants in the future. Sources say such SUTs are unlikely in the short run; that VW and Porsche will wait to see how the Colorado/Cayenne launch goes before either considers an SUT version.

The Cayenne debuts worldwide in the fall of 2002. Engines will range from a Volkswagen-built 3.2L/240-hp V-6 to Porsche's own 4.2L/337-hp V-8 and a 4.2L/449-hp 442 lb-ft twin-turbo V-8. Word is there's concern back in Stuttgart that the top-of-the-line Volkswagen Colorado will have a greater cylinder count. Instead of the Porsche twin-turbo engine, the Colorado's premium powerplant will be a 6.0L/450-hp W-12. Still, the twin-turbo will power what should be the quickest SUV on earth. Porsche's official internal 0-60-mph time is 5.0 sec flat, a source tells us. Mercedes-Benz holds claim to the current quick-SUV title: its 349-hp ML55 AMG will rip off a 0-60-mph sprint in 6.4 sec. The normally aspirated 337-hp Cayenne V-8 will match that, according to Porsche estimates.

Based on VW's 2000 Detroit show AAC pickup truck that offered a clear sneak-peek at the Colorado, the Porsche and VW SUVs will be about the same size as the Mercedes M-Class, which is larger than the X5.