Porsche Cayenne - In Depth

Press Release

Agile on road, and ready to go off the beaten track The Cayenne’s suspension provides the secure foundation for supreme driving dynamics, combining optimum safety, motoring comfort and off-pavement driving capabilities. The front axle is an extra-large double track control arm configuration mounted on its own subframe. The large distance between the individual track control arms keeps forces acting on the suspension to a minimum, thus ensuring precise wheel guidance for supreme agility and an extremely low level of any adverse forces. Incorporating extra-large rubber mounts, the elastic subframe bearings additionally serve to keep out any road noise with maximum efficiency. Made of high-strength steel, the subframe design has an arch-shaped crossbar and inclined ramps at the front that give the Cayenne ample ground clearance of up to 10.75 inches (273 mm). The variable-ratio steering gear and the differential are well protected on top of the subframe to help ensure robust off-pavement driving qualities. The rear axle is another new Porsche development. The rear axle configuration is an elaborate multi-arm concept easily able to handle both high traction forces and the Cayenne’s high service load capabilities. In the interest of extra comfort and noise reduction, the rear axle is also mounted on a subframe resting on extra - large, hydraulically dampened rubber bearings. Again, the subframe is made of high-strength steel for optimal weight and maximum structure stiffness. The lower track control arm and the tie-rod are both made of steel plate to ensure robust strength even on the roughest surfaces. The upper track control arm assembly, which is well protected within the vehicle, is made of extra-light forged aluminum components. Through its particular configuration, the axle kinematics reduce undesired squat and dive when accelerating and braking, keeping the Cayenne almost entirely level on the road at all times. The rear axle configuration and the rear toe-in control stabilize the vehicle’s driving behavior particularly in bends and under load change. A special feature of the axle concept is the extra-long spring travel for off-pavement purposes. On the steel spring suspension on the Cayenne S, the front springs compress 4.09 inches and expand 4.57 inches (104 and 116 mm, respectively), while the rear spring travel is 5.31 inches (135 mm) compressed and 3.86 inches (98 mm) expanded. Self-leveling Suspension with adjustable ride height With the pneumatic spring suspension, which is standard on the Cayenne Turbo and is available as an option on the Cayenne S, the front springs compress 4.02 inches and expand 4.65 inches (102 and 118 mm, respectively). The rear springs compress 4.88 inches and expand 4.92 inches (124 and 125 mm). Pneumatic suspension not only guarantees extra ground clearance on rough terrain, its self-leveling feature provides a consistent vehicle position regardless of the load. The system also ensures maximum driving pleasure and active safety by automatically lowering the Cayenne relative to increasing road speed. Incorporating six different ride height levels, the pneumatic suspension adjusts over a range of 4.57 inches (116 mm). In normal trim, ground clearance is 8.54 inches (217 mm) according to the DIN unladen standard.

• In load trim, the Cayenne moves down 2.26 inches (60 mm) from its standard position to a loading level of 6.18 inches (157 mm). This level is only available when the vehicle is not moving and allows extra ease for loading and unloading. When the setting is off, the system automatically returns to its normal level.
• In low trim, the Cayenne moves down 1.06 inches (27 mm) inches below its standard trim and is comparable to a vehicle with a fully-fledged sports suspension. In practice this means the suspension is firmer and air resistance is lower, making the Cayenne even more stable and dynamic at high speeds. The suspension level lowers from a higher position to the low high-speed setting at a road speed of 78 mph (125 km/h).
• At speeds exceeding 130 mph (210 km/h), the Cayenne automatically moves down to its extra-low ride level, which is 0.43 inches (11 mm) below the “regularâ€ÂÂÂ� low setting.
• When driving off-pavement, the Cayenne can be set to the higher off - pavement level up to 1.02 inches (26 mm) over the standard ride height to negotiate difficult terrain. However, this high level is only available at speeds up to 50 mph (80 km/h).
• The special off-pavement level is for the most extreme driving conditions, raising the Cayenne another 1.18 inches (30 mm) to a ground clearance of 10.75 inches (273 mm). This extra-high level is only available at speeds of up to 19 mph (30 km/h).