2023 Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT



PHOENIX — With no less than 14 model variants of the Porsche Cayenne SUV there’s a new range-topping Turbo GT that’s the most ultimate Porsche Cayenne ever and is the closest to a Cayenne GT3 as Porsche has ever built. It’s the fastest, most powerful, and with a starting price of over $190,000 the most expensive sport utility vehicle ever by the German sports car maker. 


Throw in a few obligatory and pricey options and the price quickly soars to over $200,000. A vehicle for the mega wealthy i.e., Sam Bankman-Fried. He did? Wait. When did that happen?

Other than price let’s look at a few other big numbers starting with the engine and 631 horsepower from the revised 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 with peak torque of 626 pound-feet of torque delivered consistently from 2300 to 4500 rpm according to Porsche. That matches the Lamborghini Urus SUV although Lamborghini wrings out 641 for horsepower honors, both vehicles using the same engine. All that power is delivered via a ZF-built eight-speed automatic transmission and through the standard four-wheel steering and all-wheel drive system.

Gripping and ripping into the asphalt blasting from 0-60 mph in just 3.1 seconds (according to Porsche, but likely quicker) are specific 285/35ZR22 Pirelli PZero Corsa tires up front; in back, 315/30Z22s on gorgeous wheels. High-performance baked carbon-ceramic brakes — eight piston calipers up front, four piston units in back brings it to a halt and there’s a standard weight saving carbon-fiber roof over your head. A sunroof is not available. Porsche also claims a top speed of 186 mph. Again, we suspect quicker.



Inside, the Cayenne is every inch a luxoliner, with perfectly sculpted front seats and a tight rear seat where three adults will become familiar with each other’s deodorant brands. Not only is the cockpit classy, but it’s also virtually a blank canvas for customers to outfit it with personalized options from seatbelt colors to surface materials and desirable upgrades like massaging seats and technophobe upgrades like the 1455-watt, 21 speaker Burmester audio system.

In the end of course, it’s life’s guilty pleasures that add zest to the daily mundane grind. But the underlying truth is, it isn’t any crazier than other expensive excess in life. Well maybe a little —and any residual insanity pretty much evaporates the moment you unleash the massive power as you slingshot out of a standing start — a dizzying exercise in sophisticated brutality. In that regard, the Turbo GT may very well be much more vehicle than many will want to handle.

VITAL STATS

2023 Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT

Base Price: $190,150
Price as Tested: $216,390
Engine: 4.0-L V-8
Horsepower: 631
Fuel Economy: 16 mpg city/highway
Seating: 5

Fab Features:
Simply bonkers beast
Looks you’ll swoon over
Worth buying for the exhaust notes alone

— Jim Prueter