After more than a decade since BMW started selling
the world’s first-ever mid-size SUV Coupe, the segment is now rich with options
from some of the world’s finest automakers. Mercedes were first to answer
with the GLE Coupe back in 2015, followed by Lamborghini and Audi with the Urus
and the Q8 respectively. Now, Porsche is lining up their reply in the form of
the Cayenne Coupe, a project that was only recently green lit.
We don’t know, but we wouldn’t be surprised if they
stuck with it, since the Cayenne is already an instantly recognizable nameplate
and as far as we can tell, this prototype shares its more practical sibling’s
front end design – same headlights, same hood design and a similar grille
design. Of course, as you approach the C-Pillar, things begin to change.
Unlike the regular Cayenne, this new Coupe model has a steeply-raked roof line,
a sharper window line and a retractable rear spoiler. Then there’s the rear
number plate slot, which has been moved from the boot lid to the bumper. The
taillights unfortunately remain heavily camouflaged.
The dashboard, as you can see in this first scoop of
the interior, is lifted unchanged from the latest Cayenne – which was to be
expected, as we’ve seen from the competition. The latest Cayenne is already one
of the most technologically advanced SUVs in its class, and features such as
the new gauge cluster, premium sound systems or massive 12.3-inch touchscreen
infotainment system with Internet connectivity will make their way into the
Coupe version.
What is expected to change though, is how much
luggage space there will be in the boot. The Cayenne fancies some 770 liters in there, whereas this vehicle shouldn’t be able to touch that,
not with that roof line, which in turn will also lead to reduced rear headroom. As for active safety, Porsche
might also want to infuse the Cayenne Coupe with features such as Night Vision
Assist, Lane Change Assist, Lane Keeping Assist and Traffic Jam Assist.
Porsche might think twice
about offering any diesel engines in the Cayenne Coupe. Instead, they could use
the regular Cayenne’s twin-turbo 2.9-liter V6, which is good for 440 PS and 550 Nm of torque. As for the range-topper, that could be the
twin turbo 4.0-liter V8 that feeds 550 PS and 700 Nm to
the Panamera Turbo’s wheels.
Since both the Cayenne Coupe as well as the Cayenne
share the same platform as the Panamera, a plug-in hybrid version of this BMW
X6 rival is very likely. Unless Porsche surprises everybody and unveils the Cayenne Coupe
before the end of 2018, odds are the car will surface sometime next year as a
2020 model.
Cr : Carscoops