Porsche Cayenne GTS proud internal combustion protagonist

Performance SUVs are not everyone’s cup of tea. Some enthusiasts argue that a practical body style designed to drop off kids at school has no business trying to be dynamic.

But there is always an exception to the rule; in this case it is the Porsche Cayenne GTS coupe. First applied to the 904 Carrera in 1963, the GTS (Grand Turismo Sport) moniker was designed by Ferdinand Porsche to be a “versatile car suitable for both road and track”. While it started on the sports cars, it spilled over to the Cayenne and Macan as the Porsche portfolio expanded into SUVs.

GTS badge gives Porsche Cayenne attitude

Slotting in between the S and Turbo variants, the GTS is undoubtedly one of our favourite Porsche badges. If not THE favourite. It is a product that looks great, sounds even better and stirs the emotions on the road like few others.

The stars were aligned when The Citizen Motoring took delivery of a Porsche Cayenne GTS coupe in Carmine Red. It is the colour that probably does the car the most justice. The 21-inch Anthracite Grey RS Spyder alloy wheels look great with the big shining red brake callipers staring out from behind them.

The red callipers are included in the Sport Design Package, which includes blacked-out head- and taillight clusters, black GTS badging and GTS bumpers. Black accents, a dark bronze finish on the sport exhaust system and wider front air intakes further enhance the GTS’ visual appeal. The sloping coupe roof adds that little but of extra sportiness from the standard SUV styling.

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Well-appointed cabin

The red and black theme continues inside. Here Race-Tex seats and suede leather trim on the doors, centre console and armrests with contrast red stitching works a charm. These are complemented by a heated GT steering wheel with driving mode selector, piano black finishing and brushed aluminium foot pedals.

The Porsche Cayenne GTS features a 12.3-inch Porsche Communication Management touchscreen infotainment screen alongside a crystal clear 12.6-inch digital instrument cluster.

While the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto-enabled infotainment system offers great sound, the go-to button on the screen involved a different type of entertainment. Because even when you are in granny mode, activating the Sports Exhaust system on the main screen transforms the exhaust notes into intoxicating symphonic ear candy. We often found ourselves completely mesmerised by it before even stepping on the accelerator.

Proper Porsche power

Which brings us the next part. And probably the best part. The glorious sound from its sublime 4.0-litre V8 bi-turbo petrol powerplant. The mill has been uprated by 30kW of power and 40Nm of torque and now produces 368kW/660Nm. Eight-speed Tiptronic S transmission sends the twist to all four wheels. It is the most powerful model in the Cayenne range without electrical assistance, something that will no doubt appeal to purists.

Road Test Editor Mark Jones confirmed Porsche’s claim that the Cayenne GTS can reach 100km/h in 4.4 seconds. It clocked 4.41 seconds during our test at Gerotek on its way to a top whack of 275km/h.

Adding to the overall dynamism is uprated two-chamber air suspension with improved front axle pivots from the stupid fast Cayenne Turbo GT.

Active Suspension Management lowers the ride by 10mm depending on road conditions, while the Porsche Vectoring Plus system is also standard.

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A proper driver’s car

The Porsche Cayenne GTS coupe is a driver’s car that gives admiring bystanders as much pleasure as the one behind the steering wheel. And while activating the sports exhaust system in normal driving is already satisfying, the activation of sport modes is an experience to behold.

Launching becomes a brutally exhilarating affair, as the force pushes you back in the seat as the aggressive gear changes and exhaust notes play their part in a dramatic display of brute power. And it’s not only on straights where this 2 220kg beast excels. All the technology under its skin makes it an extremely dynamic ride that behaves in a sports car manner through the corners.

It might be a tad slower than the Cayenne Turbo GT and Turbo S, but the Porsche Cayenne GTS coupe’s out-there personality is something to behold. It is a loud and proud protagonist of internal combustion power in an age where things largely revolve around new energy.

Porsche Cayenne GTS road test data