Porsche is putting the finishing touches on the 2018
Cayenne as spy photographers have snapped a lightly camouflaged prototype
undergoing testing in Europe. Since the Cayenne is one of the company's
bestselling vehicles, Porsche has given it an evolutionary design that closely
echoes its predecessor.
While it can be hard to tell the two models apart,
the new Cayenne has a revised front fascia with slimmer headlights. Designers
also made subtle styling tweaks to the roofline and the windows behind the rear
doors. The camouflage on the tailgate is also rumored to hide taillights that
resemble those used on the Panamera Sport Turismo.
Despite the modest changes, the Cayenne is all-new
underneath as the model will ride on the MLB platform that underpins the Audi
Q7 and Bentley Bentayga. The switch could enable the Cayenne to lose as much as 200 kg.
Engine options remain unconfirmed but the
entry-level model is expected to use a Panamera-sourced 3.0-liter six-cylinder
engine that develops 330 hp and 448 Nm of torque. Other
options are rumored to include a twin-turbo 2.9-liter V6 with 440 hp and 548 Nm of torque as well as a twin-turbo V8 developing 550 hp and 767 Nm of torque.