Saar: The new model, is bigger, more feature-rich and up to 65kg lighter than its predecessor.

It was in April this year when we had exclusively revealed what the pricing of the third-gen Porsche Cayenne Turbo will be. The following month, we reported that the Porsche will also land the e-Hybrid variant of its flagship SUV. Well, it is all out in the open now. Porsche India has launched the all-new Cayenne in three variants – standard, e-Hybrid and the Turbo. They are priced at Rs 1.19 crore, Rs 1.58 crore and Rs 1.92 crore (ex-showroom) respectively. Strangely, the Cayenne S is not part of the variant list at the moment. That said, if Porsche finds its need on our shores, the carmaker will waste little time to bring it over. Porsche India commenced the bookings process for the Cayenne Turbo towards the end of May this year.

Let’s start with the engines. The standard Cayenne is powered by a 3.0-litre turbo-petrol mill that produces 340PS/450Nm. The same engine is also part of the Cayenne e-Hybrid variant albeit with an electric motor. The total system output for the dual-engine Cayenne is 462PS/700Nm. The range-topping Cayenne Turbo gets its juices from a 4.0-litre, twin-turbo V8 engine that generates 550PS/770Nm of oomph. All three variants come as standard with an 8-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel-drive.

As far as the sprint from 0-100kmph is concerned, the standard, e-Hybrid and the Turbo can complete it in 6.2 seconds, 5.0 seconds and 4.1 seconds respectively. If you get the optional Sport Chrono package installed, those times will tumble down by at least 0.2 seconds. Porsche claims that the top speed for the trio, in the same order, is 245kmph, 253kmph and 286kmph respectively. The e-Hybrid, for obvious reasons, is the most intriguing one. It can drive up to 44 kilometres, with a top speed of 135kmph, on electricity alone. Needless to say, the overall emissions of this particular variant will be the least.

On the features front, the third-gen Porsche Cayenne outshines its predecessor with goodies like a head-up display, electric seats with massage and memory functions, a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, alloy wheels ranging from 19 to 21 inches, LED headlamps and taillamps, active aerodynamics covering a roof-mounted spoiler that can act as an effective air brake, and a multi-function sports steering wheel with paddle shifters. Porsche has also thrown in clever stuff like three-chamber air suspension, rear-axle steering, Porsche Surface Coated Brakes and mixed-profile tyres. Even though the new Cayenne is larger in proportions than its predecessor, Porsche has been clever enough to make it up to 65kg lighter.

In India, the Porsche Cayenne competes with a range of premium SUVs including, the Range Rover Sport, Mercedes-Benz GLS and the Lexus LX. If you had the money, which one would you buy? Do let us know in the comments below.