Testing of the new Porsche Cayenne

13/2/2023

Following its launch in 2017, Porsche has consistently enhanced the third generation of the Cayenne with far-reaching measures affecting its powertrain, chassis, design, equipment and connectivity. “It’s one of the most extensive product upgrades in the history of Porsche,” says series manager Michael Schätzle. The engineers at the Porsche Development Center in Weissach made significant changes to the Cayenne's chassis system in addition to realigning the drive portfolio. The goal was to achieve even greater variation between the normal Porsche on-road performance, long-distance comfort, and off-road competence.

To do this, the Cayenne will include a new, semi-active chassis in addition to other features. Additionally, a brand-new, heavily digitalized display and operational concept with improved connectivity features will be available to drivers and passengers. The new Porsche Cayenne's HD-Matrix LED headlights use cutting-edge lighting technology that improves both comfort and safety.

With so many novel technologies, extensive and complex testing was necessary to fine-tune the components, the majority of which were entirely novel inventions. Test manager Ralf Bosch notes that "we're subjecting the new Cayenne to a complete and comprehensive testing program, just as if we'd developed it from scratch." Porsche continues to place a strong priority on real-world testing in addition to increasingly precise computer simulations. It serves as a litmus test for the readiness of any new model. The goal of what we refer to as total vehicle testing is to guarantee the operational stability and functionality of all systems and components as they work together in real-world and extreme scenarios.

During endurance tests, a vehicle's life is imitated under demanding circumstances that a consumer would only sometimes encounter. Within a few months, the vehicles have travelled well over 200,000 kilometres under normal circumstances in city traffic, on highways, and in rural areas.

To simulate extreme conditions, the prototypes also travel around the world, with the aim being to put their quality and durability to the test in different climate zones. For the new Cayenne, tests took place in Asia, Africa, Europe and North America. In total, more than four million test kilometres were covered. “What we demand from the new Cayenne in tough off-road tests in Spain, on punishing sand dunes in Morocco, or during highly dynamic drives on ice tracks in Finland and on the Nürburgring Nordschleife isn’t something we presume many customers will ever do,” says Dirk Lersch, who leads the prototype assembly and testing team for the Cayenne. “But anyone who purchases a Porsche should know that it can withstand exceptionally high loads – regardless of the surface being driven on."

Contact Porsche Centre Dublin at  (01) 235 3375  or info@porschedublin.ie