Latest edition of Porsche Cayenne hits the road
Novan Iman Santosa, Jakarta
What's the point in driving a powerful sports utility vehicle (SUV) around Jakarta's notoriously jammed streets? While you may not be able to satisfy your need for speed, an SUV can provide passengers the comfort of solid suspension and smooth movement, which will make all those hours spent in traffic jams that much more enjoyable.
With demand showing no sign of slowing, automakers are aggressively creating new SUVs or retooling their old ones to win a piece of this lucrative market.
This is the case with the Porsche Cayenne. Recently, PT Eurokars Chrisdeco Utama introduced the third variation of the Cayenne, which joins the Cayenne Turbo and the Cayenne S. The new variation, the Porsche Cayenne V6, is powered by a 3,200 cc engine and six-speed Tiptronic transmission.
The V6 engine delivers maximum power of 250 horsepower (hp) at 6,000 revolutions per minute (rpm) and a maximum torque of 310 Newton meter (Nm) at a range from 2,500 rpm to 5,500 rpm.
With a starting price of Rp 1.29 billion (US$143,000), the Cayenne can reach a maximum speed of 214 kilometers per hour (kph).
The Porsche Cayenne Turbo, in comparison, can reach speeds of up to 266 kph and the Cayenne S up to 242 kph.
The new Cayenne is fully equipped with front air bags and curtain-type air bags along each side of the cabin. All of the head restraints are height-adjustable, with the exception of the central rear seat.
The steering column is equipped with multiple collapsing sections linked by a series of universal joints. A special deformation element offering 70 mm of travel provides added safety in the event of a front impact.
The shell of the body combines multiphase steel construction with energy absorbent crash structures and side intrusion beams in each of the doors.
Drivers can rely on Cayenne's balanced braking system to control the car's considerable power and speed. The front discs are gripped by six-piston monobloc aluminum-fixed calipers, aided by four-piston equivalents at the rear.
All four calipers feature a black paint finish on the Cayenne, with red on the Cayenne Turbo and titanium on the Cayenne S.
Braking is assisted by a tandem booster and a large-diameter brake master cylinder. The foot-operated parking brake uses a duo-servo system mounted on each of the rear discs.
The anti-lock braking system is a standard feature for additional driving safety when powering around town in the Cayenne.