The New Porsche Cayenne GTS goes back to V8 Power

Porsche's bringing back the just right offering in the Cayenne lineup with the return of the GTS. And that's not all that's back, with a V8 returning in place of the V6 in the previous version of the Porsche trim that offers some of the best go-fast features with less of the go-big price tag of the models that sit above it.

The last Cayenne GTS had a twin-turbo V6 making 434 hp, a tweaked up version of the Cayenne S's mill. This time, the 2021 Cayenne GTS gets the 4.0L V8 from the Cayenne Turbo with the wick turned down from 541 hp to a still pretty quick 453 hp and 457 lb-ft of torque.

Is it as fast as the Turbo? No, but with the standard eight-speed auto it'll run just 0.4 seconds slower to 100 km/h if you option the Sport Chrono package (4.5 seconds) and, maybe more importantly, it has an MSRP $25,000 less than the Turbo.

A V8 isn't the only bit of performance goodness here, Porsche's GTS models are always also well kitted out with handling bits. The automaker says that GTS is all about "sporty, agile performance" and to that end the GTS Cayenne and Cayenne Coupe get a revised version of the Porsche Active Suspension Management dampers and the three-chamber air suspension to lower the GTS 30 mm compared with the Cayenne S. Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus comes standard as well, a system that uses an electronically adjustable rear differential to measure out torque to the rear wheels in the way that best improves cornering and grip.





Lurking behind the 21-inch RS Spyder design wheels are 390 mm front rotors (358 at the back) clamped by equally chunky calipers. Porsche's ceramic brakes are optional as is rear-axle steering and active roll stabilization.

Complimenting the wheels, the GTS has new black accents including the LED rear lights. The air intakes, window trim, and Porsche logos are all blacked-out. The Coupe version can be had with a lightweight sports package that includes a special new sports exhaust with twin centre outlets.

Inside, GTS buyers get Alcantara on the headliner, seats, armrests, and doors, plus dark aluminum trim. Those seats are eight-way sports seats that are new for the GTS and the inside is loaded with GTS logos.

The Cayenne GTS and Cayenne Coupe GTS start from $120,400 and $126,500 respectively, putting it smack dab in between the S and Turbo. And if you want all the performance bits for your S (and you probably do) the GTS will likely end up being a better value even before you remember the beefy V8. They're set to arrive in Canada the fourth quarter of this year.