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By Jonathan Crouch

Porsche's Cayenne Coupe continues to redefine what a large SUV Coupe model should be in this improved form. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 84

You don't need a Porsche Cayenne Coupe, but we're guessing you'd really, really like one. As the name suggests, this is a sportier-looking version of the standard Cayenne large SUV and it's been re-engineered in this improved form with all the usual Porsche thoroughness. Plus the improvements to cabin design are genuinely far-reaching. As before, it remains very first large SUV Coupe model the market's been offered with handling that can really match the arresting looks that tend to be common in this segment.

Backgroundword count: 268

The Porsche Cayenne Coupe, launched in 2019, was originally billed as the answer to a question no one was asking. That at least was according to the car magazines. And as so often, they were wrong. Actually, quite a considerable number of well-heeled folk have been asking for a large luxury SUV with a sporting coupe-style look for two decades now. That's why BMW's X6, the car that started this trend, is now in its third generation, Audi has its Q8 and Mercedes has just launched an improved take on the second generation version of that car's closest rival, the GLE Coupe. Porsche wants a slice of that action too, hence the need for this Cayenne Coupe. You actually wonder why the brand didn't do this earlier than 2019. Its conventional Cayenne SUV had, after all, always been the most sporting model in its segment. In concept, if its sharp handling prowess could be transferred into a sector rather in need of sharp handling prowess, fireworks might be in prospect. Sure enough, the Cayenne Coupe has sold well for Porsche, contributing significantly to the Cayenne range's position as the brand's global best seller. Porsche wants this current car to remain on sale for most of the rest of this decade (alongside the completely different all-electric Cayenne due in 2025). For this combustion-powered 'E3' design, that's meant the need for what the brand describes as one of the most extensive product upgrades in its history. So this upgrade was crucial for the brand and is extremely far-reaching, with significant engineering changes and a completely fresh feel for the cabin.

Driving Experienceword count: 452

You might not be surprised to hear that a Cayenne Coupe drives almost exactly like an ordinary Cayenne. Of course, the standard Cayenne isn't 'ordinary' in the way it hurls nearly 2.3-tonnes of Zuffenhausen real estate up the road. Porsche reckons this variant is even better because of its fractionally lower centre of gravity, though any difference, is there is any, is virtually impossible to detect - on the public road anyway. As with the conventional car, the steering is on another level to what you get from large SUVs from most other brands, being meaty and direct. But let's get to what's new with this updated model. The entry-level Cayenne Coupe's previous 2.9-litre V6 gets replaced by a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 generating 353PS. That engine also forms the basis for two Plug-in Hybrid models, where it's boosted by an electric motor powered by a 25.9kWh battery that's larger than the unit fitted previously. The Cayenne E-Hybrid Coupe puts out 470PS, while the alternative Cayenne S E-Hybrid Coupe puts out 519PS: both offer around 46 miles of EV driving range. On to the V8 models. The conventional Cayenne S Coupe, which previously used a V6, now adopts the twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 unit familiar from Porsche's Panamera and the Lamborghini Urus. With the Cayenne S Coupe, this puts out 474PS, powering the car to 62mph in just 4.8s en route to a top speed of 167mph. That same V8 is also used in the flagship Plug-in Hybrid model, the Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid Coupe, which puts out 739PS with 950Nm of torque. Also offered with an uprated 'GT Package', it's the most powerful Cayenne of all time, making 62mph in 3.7s en route to 183mph. Across the range, the engineering changes here aren't just about extra power. Special two-valve shock absorbers have been developed to work in conjunction with the (optional) two-chamber air suspension system. These have separate compression and rebound stages to improve cornering agility, reduce roll and pitch and enhance ride comfort at urban speeds. This improved Cayenne Coupe also gets bigger tyres which can run at lower pressure, enhancing grip. As a result, the handling of this Porsche even more emphatically sets the class standard. As previously, you can also add an active anti-roll system and rear-wheel steering, but some enthusiasts might feel that these features detract a little from the purity of the driving experience. Otherwise, things are much as before. So there's 4WD of course and a ZF eight-speed auto gearbox. It's also worth mentioning that this Cayenne Coupe is just as happy as its predecessor off the beaten track. A spare set of off-road wheels and tyres might prevent some costly refurbishment work to the standard alloys though.

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