REAL Exclusive Magazine

Why a Porsche Cayenne?

By Fred Krasne

Since 2003 when the Porsche Cayenne was introduced in the USA, it quickly became the highest volume Porsche sold in this country. Now with the introduction of the 2013 Cayenne Diesel and the 2013 Cayenne GTS the model range now has expanded to six models, offering the discriminating driver a wide range of options that will satisfy the most demanding owner.

The Cayenne Diesel will provide a driving range of up to 765 miles, that will allow you to drive from Sarasota to New Orleans on a tank of gas. It has a 240 HP Turbocharged V6 diesel engine that will move this vehicle 0-60 in 7.2 seconds. Its 26.4 gallon tank will help you average nearly 30 mpg on the highway. Because only 3% of the registered passenger cars in the USA are diesel, and over 60% of registered passenger cars in Europe are diesel due to $10/gallon fuel prices, Porsche sees an incredible opportunity to help our luxury auto market combat rising fuel prices.

The Cayenne GTS is the newest performance Cayenne that is slotted between the Cayenne S and Cayenne Turbo. The GTS has the performance figures of a sports car, 0-60 in 5.4 seconds, top track speed of 162 mph, and generates 420 HP in an all wheel drive SUV. These performance figures are in the top 10% of all the vehicles sold in the US.

When Porsche first introduced the Cayenne a decade ago, few people outside the company understood why Porsche would risk its reputation as one of the world’s most respected sports car makers by building a four-door, all-wheel drive SUV. It seemed like a complete departure from the script. Hadn’t Porsche, in sports cars such as the 911 and the Boxster, perfected the formula for uncompromising driving precision? Hadn’t Porsche for decades used the racetrack as its proving ground?

Then came the first reports from those who had driven the Cayenne. What astonished the skeptics was this: The acceleration, braking, steering, and efficiency of a Porsche sports car had been infused in to a rugged SUV. It seemed impossible that such performance could be achieved by a vehicle of the Cayenne’s proportions. Yet there it was–Porsche standards of excellence, delivered not just on paper, but on pavement. And truth be told, on gravel, sand, and snow as well.

Cayennes are raced at the Transsyberia Rally. What’s that, you ask? It’s a 4,300 mile trail-of-tears endurance race from Moscow to Mongolia, with a whole passel of car-killing country in between. It’s also the answer to a prayer from Stuttgart.

Ever since its 2003 debut, the Cayenne has been lambasted by critics who see it as an unworthy Porsche that exists only to bolster the company’s bottom line. One can only imagine the angst this has caused, especially since Porsche insists that all its vehicles are designed to be raced. So several years ago, the company went on a hunt to find a race in which the husky hauler might prove itself. Enter the Transsyberia Rally.

The Cayenne was victorious several times since entering the races in 2006 to the present. The overriding issue is keeping the vehicle in one piece after crossing rivers, mud bogs, rocks, sand, ice and snow. This once again proves that all Porsches are made to be driven.

I ask again why a Cayenne? It is the only true sports SUV now available in 6 different models, starting at just under $50K, that will fulfill both practical and enjoyable activities for the discriminating and demanding owner.

Fred Krasne has sold luxury cars at dealerships in Washington, DC, Tampa and Sarasota, FL for over 20 years. He also has significant financial background and experience in the leasing industry, dating back to his time as VP of Marketing for a lease finance company.

Fred believes that his experience in working with busy, successful people has driven him to focus on providing the kind of service that satisfies their demanding life styles. His skill is in relating to the needs and wants of the client, and making sure that their vision of their perfect car can be easily realized, in a way that makes sense financially.

For concierge level service contact Fred Krasne at (941) 923-1700 or fkrasne@sunsetautogroup.com. Suncoast Motorsports is located at 5005 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34231.

The Porsche logo is copyrighted by Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Germany. The Porsche wordmark and Porsche crest are registered trademarks of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG. Dr. Ing. h.c. F.

Copyright © 2012 REAL Magazine
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