Porsche Cayenne GTS

The Cayenne GTS at a glance

Acceleration times are Porsche's figures, with the Sport Chrono package where offered. The Cayenne's wider family is described in the history of Porsche.

First GTS (2007–2010): V8 and a manual gearbox

Porsche introduced the first Cayenne GTS at the IAA in Frankfurt in 2007, on the facelifted first-generation car. Its 4.8-litre V8 had a modified intake and produced 298 kW (405 PS), and the chassis was tuned for better longitudinal and lateral dynamics. Unusually for a large SUV, it could be ordered with a six-speed manual gearbox. Porsche quoted 0–100 km/h in 6.1 seconds and a top speed of 253 km/h. A Porsche Design Edition 3, limited to 1,000 cars, added special colours and trim.

Second generation (2012–2017): from V8 to twin-turbo V6

The second-generation GTS appeared at the Beijing motor show in 2012 with a 4.8-litre V8 of 309 kW (420 PS) and 0–100 km/h in 5.7 seconds. It brought a GTS package with special interior colours, sports seats and an eight-speed Tiptronic S automatic.

For the facelifted Cayenne, shown at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November 2014, Porsche replaced the V8 with a 3.6-litre twin-turbo V6. It made 324 kW (440 PS), 15 kW more than before, and 600 Nm, an increase of 85 Nm, while using less fuel. With Sport Chrono the GTS reached 100 km/h in 5.1 seconds, and Porsche's launch data quoted a top speed of 262 km/h and a boot of 670 to 1,790 litres. The exterior got the Turbo's front end, darkened lights, 20-inch wheels and quad exhaust tips, and the sports chassis sat lower than the standard Cayenne's.

Third generation (from 2020): V8 returns and the Coupé GTS

Porsche announced the third-generation GTS on 12 June 2020, bringing back a V8: the 4.0-litre twin-turbo unit produces 338 kW (460 PS) and 620 Nm. For the first time a Cayenne Coupé GTS was offered alongside the SUV, with Sport Chrono and optional lightweight packages. The GTS reached 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds with launch control.

The April 2024 update raised output to 368 kW (500 PS) and torque to 660 Nm, with a sharper chassis and revised styling. Porsche quoted WLTP fuel consumption of 12.1–12.7 l/100 km and CO2 emissions of 277–289 g/km, efficiency class G.

What the GTS package includes

Across generations, the GTS has followed the same recipe. Outside, it uses black or darkened design elements instead of chrome, darker light units, GTS lettering and specific wheels of 20 inches or more. Inside, sports seats with Alcantara and leather, extra Alcantara trim and GTS badging set it apart, and buyers could choose special interior colour packages. Underneath, a lower, firmer sports suspension, a sports exhaust and sharper engine and gearbox calibration make it the most road-focused Cayenne below the Turbo. Porsche's launch material for the 2015 car also mentions red brake callipers and an optional Sport Design package with wider, body-coloured wheel-arch trims.

The GTS compared with other Cayenne versions

The GTS has always sat between the S and the Turbo. Compared with the first GTS of 2007, the 2024 car has 70 kW more power and reaches 100 km/h about 1.7 seconds sooner. It typically costs less than a Turbo but offers more standard sports equipment than an S, which is why many owners consider it the best-balanced Cayenne.

Where the GTS sits on power is shown in the 1cars ranking of the most powerful SUVs, and exact rivals can be set side by side in the 1cars comparison tool.