The Cayenne GTS could be the most entertaining SUV ever

In keeping with the GTS ethos – a Porsche that’s the sportiest but not the fastest, and consistently a sweet spot in the manufacturer’s range – the new version announced today lines up more closely with the flagship Cayenne Turbo than it does with the entry-level model with which it shared a V6 engine between 2011-2018.

The Cayenne GTS in fact started out with a V8 in 2007 when it became the first Porsche of recent times to revive the badge, first used in ’63 on the 904 Carrera GTS. But environmental pressures put paid to that with the second-gen Cayenne in 2011 and arrival of the turbocharged 3.6-litre V6.

Now we are in the third-generation of Porsche’s SUV and biggest selling model, and – what goes around comes around – we’re back up to the full bent-eight again. Not that it has much in common with that early V8: the new one is twin-turbocharged, 4.0-litres and kicks out 460PS (454bhp) – the old normally aspirated 4.8-litre lump delivered only 400.

But it’s a comparison with the predecessor V6 GTS that is most apposite here, and the new car promises to mark a sporty step forward for the model, though at the expense of slightly more weight – the latest GTS comes in at 2,145kg empty.

With 20 extra horses and 20Nm (14lb ft) extra of torque over the V6, the new twin-turbo V8 edition is able to take half a second off the V6’s 0-62mph time, recording a sprightly 4.5 seconds for the best Sport Chrono equipped model (4.8 seconds for standard car). Torque peaks at 620Nm (457lb ft) between 1,800-4,500rpm, not so different from its V6 predecessor. The top speed is 173mph.

Where Porsche is promising its latest sporting four-wheel-drive will be noticeably different is in its character. Both Cayenne GTS and Cayenne GTS coupe get a new sports exhaust tuned to get the meatiest best out of the V8 for a “highly emotive aural experience”, according to the firm. If you have a V8 after all, why not shout about it?

The need for a V6 – to clean up emissions and boost efficiency – has been obviated by technology, says Porsche. So the new V8 gets adaptive engine cylinder control (shutting off cylinders when not needed), among other efficiency enhancing features. Under the latest WLTP protocol, the Cayenne GTS gets 20.0-21.2mpg and scores 301-319g/km for CO2 – comparable figures for the last V6 GTS are not available.

Other GTS ingredients are as expected and appear as well judged as you expect of Porsche, with a clear emphasis on agile handling. To this end both SUV and coupe get 20mm lowered steel-sprung chassis, dynamic dampers and Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) along with torque vectoring on the rear axle.

An exterior styling pack with black-accented details and 21-inch RS Spyder design wheels distinguishes all this, while inside there are lashings of Alcantara and dark-brushed aluminium trim, and eight-way adjustable sports seats with extra-deep side bolsters.

The GTS might be nowhere near as fast in a straight line as the Cayenne Turbo but, as with other Porsche GTS models, it might just be the pick of the range as the driver’s choice – and even big, heavy, complicated SUVs need drivers. Prices start at £85,930 for the Cayenne GTS and £88,750 for the Cayenne GTS coupe.