www.womanthismonth.com August 2016 55 Whoever said women only go for looks (probably a man) has obviously never seen the fairer sex drive the new 2016 Cayenne GTS. Now, don’t get me wrong, looks matter but so do muscles. And with the GTS badge, this new Cayenne delivers just that and more. Ladies, if you’re wondering about the significance of the badge, let me tell you – when you hear GTS attached to pretty much anything to do with cars, it should conjure up an image of power, and we’re talking about brute strength here – if only choosing a man was that simple! The Cayenne GTS is a powerful machine that resonates with the name on more levels than one. It’s extremely sporty to start with – that was one of the first things I noticed when I stepped into the car. Externally, the Cayenne showcases several eye-catching design elements, including the turbo nose section with large air intakes and the Sport Design package that comes as standard. With more contoured side sills, wheel arch extensions, roof spoiler and lower rear end, all painted in the body colour; the new Cayenne looks a lot sportier than its predecessor. Around the exterior, black accents provide a striking contrast – the model I drove was white, so these stood out even more. All lettering is black, as are the 20-inch wheels in the RS Spyder design, the exhaust tailpipes, the bi-xenon headlights' inner apertures and the fittings of the darkened LED rear lights. The striking GTS lettering is also a new external feature that can be found on the front doors. Similar sporting characteristics are also apparent on the inside, which don’t go amiss. Eight-way electrically adjustable GTS sports showcase seats in leather/Alcantara upholstery, with GTS lettering on the headrests are fitted as standard. Adjusting your seats is a breeze, and a lot of fun. Alcantara is the predominant upholstery material. The interior GTS package is optionally available in carmine red or rhodium silver with rev counter face, decorative stitching, headrest lettering and safety belts in a contrasting colour. The extremely comfortable seats make you feel sporty and chic at the same time, a definite win win! You don’t necessarily have to be a petrol head to appreciate power and attitude, and this car has lots of it. But, because Porsche drivers like their cars to be sporty, it would be unfair if I didn’t talk a little about the engine. The vehicle’s performance-oriented enhancement of the new power unit is evident in its 3.6-litre V6 bi-turbo engine. Its consumption is lower, which means it’s easier on the wallet, and it delivers improved levels of performance, an added plus. Compared to the previous model, which had the V8 engine, the power output has risen by 20hp to 440hp and torque is up 85Nm to 600Nm, while the fuel consumption has gone down by up to 0.9 l/100 km. Now, I come to my favourite part – the sweet sound of speed! The Cayenne GTS accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds, or 5.1 seconds with the optional Sport Chrono package. That's 0.5 and 0.6 seconds respectively less than the previous model. Top speed is 262 km/h, which, unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to test what with the speed cameras dotted around the island and being rather fond of my liberty. Its sports exhaust system is what gives the car its undeniable GTS sound, which, even if you’re not a great fan of fast cars, you learn to appreciate the more time you spend in the Cayenne GTS. The car handles amazingly at turns and roundabouts. I attribute that to its suspension with its unmistakable lateral dynamics. The Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) damping system has a sporty set-up; alongside standard air suspension the vehicle sits 20mm lower. Additional standard features include the brakes from the Cayenne Turbo with 390-millimetre discs on the front axle (358mm at the back), inclusive of brake callipers painted red in typical turbo fashion. Despite its power, the cayenne GTS is a dream to drive. I was surprised at how safe and athome I felt in this car – I could quite easily live in it. It’s smooth, dependable and definitely perks you up – just like your morning coffee! With a slightly hefty price tag of BD39,000, I would say if you’re not short of a few bob or two – splurge – as the Cayenne GTS will definitely not disappoint. PACKING A PUNCH BEHBEHANI BROTHERS This marque’s newest addition to the Cayenne portfolio is now on the market. Apple Sharma put it to the test to see if it lives up to its name.
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