Porsche Cayenne New V6 Model - In Depth

Press Release

The first V6 in any Porsche model

While the engine block is sourced from Volkswagen, which is Porsche’s partner in the construction of the Cayenne’s unit-body chassis, the 15-degree, 3.2-liter V6 engine has been extensively reworked by Porsche engineers. They designed an entirely new intake system for the engine, with two overhead camshafts and continuously variable intake valve timing. They also reworked the exhaust system to provide the sound that immediately identifies the Cayenne as a true Porsche.

Modifications prepare V6 for extreme conditions

Porsche engineers also designed modifications to the engine for towing, including the engine cooling system. To verify the Cayenne’s ability in extreme conditions, testing was done while pulling the maximum load (7,716 pounds or 3500 kg) in temperatures as high as 122 degrees Fahrenheit (50 degrees Celsius). The powertrain and its belt-drive system also were designed and developed for the challenges Porsche Cayenne owners may face in extreme off-pavement driving. Thus the V6 operates smoothly while the Porsche Cayenne is driven through water as deep as 20 inches (500 mm) or at angles – uphill, downhill or side hill – as steep as 45 degrees.

Six-speed Tiptronic S transmission

Just like the Cayenne Turbo and Cayenne S, the 2004 Porsche Cayenne is equipped with a six-speed Tiptronic S transmission designed to provide an enhanced range of individual gear increments and to retain the driver’s option to shift gears manually by tipping the selector lever on the center console or simply by using switches on the steering wheel that can be activated by the driver’s thumbs. The driver can press the upper portion of the thumb switch or tip the center console shift selector forward to advance the gears, or press the lower part of the thumb switch or tip the shift selector back to downshift.

Momentary manual operation, even in automatic mode

One major advantage of the Tiptronic S is that it provides the driver with the option of intervening while the transmission is in automatic mode. The driver can move the thumb switch on the steering wheel and shift gears manually even though the gearshift selector lever in the center console remains in the automatic position. In such a case, the manual mode is activated for at least eight seconds, and this period is extended when the car is in “overrun� – for example, on a downhill grade, to capitalize on engine braking – or when the driver downshifts before the entrance to a curve and the car is under lateral acceleration as it negotiates the turn. When in such a situation, the letter “M� appears in the right-hand instrument dial and the specific gear engaged also is displayed. At the same time, the transmission retains its kick down function so the driver can downshift again as needed. The transmission can downshift by as many as three gears when the driver steps hard and quickly on the gas pedal.

Driver’s right foot is in control

In automatic mode, Tiptronic S adjusts to various shift control maps based on the driver’s style of driving and the route. The range of shift points extends from a particularly economic mode activated whenever the driver prefers a calmer and more reserved style of driving (with the gears shifting up at an earlier point and engine speeds being reduced accordingly) all the way to a very dynamic, active mode (with the gears remaining in mesh for as long as possible when accelerating, using the engine's free-revving driving characteristics). The crucial factor in all cases is the driver’s foot on the accelerator: Moving the gas pedal quickly and dynamically, accelerating frequently with full power, the gearshift points change accordingly, switching if necessary to the most dynamic variant and vice versa. Over and above its ability to recognize the driver’s style, Porsche Tiptronic S also features:

• A warm-up program that prevents the transmission from shifting up too soon, thus increasing the temperature of the catalytic converter as quickly as possible while allowing the engine to warm up smoothly and without any strain;
• An active gearshift that immediately moves the shift points to the most sporting and dynamic program whenever the driver presses the gas pedal quickly and dynamically;
• Suppression of upward gearshift in overrun when the driver’s foot suddenly lifts off the accelerator, for example, before entering a bend;
• Downshifting to the next lower gear to optimize engine braking when the brakes are applied;
• Increment upshift that delays shifting into a higher gear after an active downshift;
• Retention of gears in a bend to prevent upshift; and
• Hill recognition that retains lower gears as long as possible in uphill or downhill gradients.

Tiptronic S adapts to off-pavement terrain

To reduce the possibility of an improper shift when the Cayenne SUV is traversing rough terrain, the steering wheel switches are deactivated when the reduction gearbox is engaged. In this case, the driver can shift manually only by moving the shift lever on the center console. But the driver may not have to shift manually because Tiptronic uses gearshift control maps to ensure optimum power in rough terrain. Another Tiptronic S feature in the Cayenne is a hill-holder function that prevents the car from rolling backward when setting off in a forward gear, even on a steep grade.