POSH picnics and camping in class don't have to be getaways that are possible only in dreams.
Porsche has been on a path to convince the outdoorsman in everyone that it has the ultimate luxury companion for the great outdoors.
The Cayenne is already quite the accomplished model in Malaysia, being the brand's best-selling luxe sport utility vehicle (SUV).
It is also currently the only complete knocked-down (CKD) model from the German carmaker, with the assembly at Sime Darby's plant in Kulim, Kedah.
Porsche has known that if it wants to make a big statement, the model will have to get down and dirty when the push comes to shove.
Thus, a good old-fashioned open-air scenic drive is just was the SUV needs to appeal to the masses.
SPORTIER SPECS
Made exclusively for the Malaysian market, the Cayenne was recently given a 2023-2034 refresh that includes a performance boost, a sportier design update, and a host of new enhancements and tech features.
Also standard include adaptive cruise control, soft-close doors and the Sport Chrono package.
At the heart is a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 petrol engine that's paired with an eight-speed Tiptronic S automatic transmission and a variable all-wheel drive system (AWD).
It makes 13hp and 50Nm more than the previous model, with 349hp at 6,400rpm and 500Nm of torque at 5,300rpm.
With the Sport Chrono package, it can accelerate from zero to 100kph in 5.7 seconds, along with a top speed of 248kph.
The driving experience is further improved with a new adaptive air suspension with a two-chamber, two-valve technology, ensuring softer suspension characteristics that stabilise the vehicle further and simplify on-road and off-road handling.
The adaptive air suspension improves driving precision and performance, as well as reduces body movements in dynamic driving situations.
The suspension also offers an even sharper differentiation between the Normal, Sport and Sport Plus driving modes.
The advanced driving assistance systems include Porsche Traction Management, Porsche Stability Management, Automatic Brake Differential, Porsche Active Suspension Management adaptive air suspension, Power Steering Plus and an inter-axle differential lock with a controlled multi-plate clutch.
Braking is handled by four-piston aluminium monobloc fixed callipers at the front and two-piston units at the rear.
Its cabin has been redesigned and includes an integrated control concept that is based on the new Porsche Driver Experience.
The display includes a fully digital 12.6-inch instrument cluster with a curved and free-standing 12.3-inch central Porsche Communication Management (PCM) display.
Also standard in the cabin are 14-way electric comfort seats with a memory package, headrests on the front seats embossed with the Porsche crest, and electric roll-up sun blinds for the rear windows.
An air quality system comes as standard as well, where predictive navigation data is used to detect approaching tunnel entrances and automatically activates air recirculation.
As an option, a sensor detects the level of fine dust particles in the air and passes it through the fine dust filter multiple times if necessary. Additionally, an ioniser removes germs and pollutants from the air.
Also standard are Matrix LED headlights, Porsche Active Suspension Management, Power Steering Plus, 20-inch Cayenne Design wheels, front and rear park assist with surround view, Bose Surround Sound System and a smartphone tray with inductive charging at up to 15 watts.
The SUV is priced from RM599,999, with three exterior colours — Chromite Black Metallic, Carrara White Metallic and Quarzite Grey Metallic — to choose from. The interior comes in black or black and red leather options.
The first 250 orders of the model via Porsche Malaysia's digital platform will also receive exclusive exterior paint-matched vehicle keys.
ESCAPE PLAN
Porsche Malaysia recently held an experiential destination drive with its updated locally assembled Cayenne.
The drive started from Saujana Hotel Kuala Lumpur, with participants leaving the city through the highways before branching off into hillside B-roads.
This led to a mid-point stopover by a lake for a break, with a display Cayenne prepped with a roof tent from the Porsche Tequipment.
This proves to be a good indication of what one can expect of the SUV's camping utility.
Single would be ideal but that short getaway could certainly accommodate a romantic party of two, which is the maximum adult occupancy for the roof tent.
The following day, participants went off-road to put the new adaptive air suspension to the test.
It was nothing hardcore and basically a rough and un-tarred route, which suits the SUV just fine since it is not a rough-and-tough model.
It can be assumed that you would not want to rough up your Cayenne by wading it through dirt, mud and damaging terrains either way. But should you choose to do so, the SUV can be up to the task.
The journey and the driver rotation also allowed those in the convoy to get a taste of the Cayenne's passenger experience.
One thing that has been improved, especially for the driver and front passenger, is mostly felt during a long-distance drive.
For the driver, especially with the new design concept and adaptive air suspension, comfort is a lot more noticeable as you spend more time in the SUV.
VERDICT
Earlier this year, Cars Bikes and Trucks had the opportunity to review the pre-facelift CKD Cayenne.
We mentioned that except for some minor differences, Porsche's first CKD model was almost indistinguishable from the imported variant.
That is much the same this time round, but with the refreshed model made even better with the new updates.
It may not seem like much but the new adaptive air suspension made a difference. Even if you're never going to go hard with it on harsh roads, the Cayenne now drives extra smooth compared to before the latest update.
Even if you did take away the camping gear, you could still consider it a bonus that the SUV is now entirely capable of traversing grittier roads of mild difficulty without any battering to the body and components involved.
What is to love is how agile the SUV is despite its size. Being a Porsche, it is, of course, far from being clunky or clumsy. But this enhanced handling and manoeuvrability makes you easily forget that you're driving a rather large SUV.
All the finer features also add up to an improved experience. The driver-centric concept and updated infotainment make driving a lot more precise and comfortable.
With the Cayenne, everything feels like an upgrade and there's a renewed sense of comfort and performance that gives you added assurance under most road conditions, which is simply perfect for your very own great escape.
