The Porsche Cayenne is a five-seat mid-size sport utility vehicle produced by the German automaker Porsche since 2002, with North American sales beginning in 2003. It is the first V8 engined vehicle built by Porsche since 1995, when the Porsche 928 was discontinued.

Worldwide sales of the Cayenne are running at nearly double the rate of 20,000 units per year that was originally forecast. 67 percent more Porsches were sold in fiscal year 2006/2007 than were sold in 2002/2003 thanks to the Cayenne model.

Though Porsche markets the 2008 model the 'second generation', the car is largely unchanged — with the addition of new technological features.

All 2008 engines feature direct injection. The charge-cooling effect of direct fuel injection permits a higher compression ratio without the risk of detonation, improving horsepower and torque. Fuel consumption has been reduced approximately 0.4 to 0.8 km/L across the range, even though the official window stickers say otherwise - the EPA changed its testing methodology in 2008. Fuel consumption is 6 Km/L city, 8.5 Km/L Motorway for the base model. The drag coefficient is 0.35 Cd and all models get a power lift gate and a tire pressure monitoring system.

Porsche intended the Cayenne to be the new benchmark for SUVs. The Cayenne's frame and doors are sourced from Volkswagen, who also use the frames and doors for the Volkswagen Touareg model. All other aspects of vehicle design, tuning, production are done in house at Porsche. VW also supplies this 'E platform' to Audi to underpin their Audi Q7 model. The Cayenne shares only its V6 engine with the Touareg and Porsche's version is substantially modified.

View also:
Porsche Panamera - Porsche 911 - Porsche Boxster - Porsche Carrera GT - Porsche Cayman - Porsche RUF CTR 3

Check out the Porsche Cayenne wallpapers and Porsche Cayenne Pictures (pics) collection below: