Thinking about buying a Porsche Cayenne Turbo? Compare it to a BMW X6 M first!

 

The BMW X6 M Overview

At their introduction, the X6 and X5 both served notice that all-wheel-drive vehicles were no longer relegated to the catch-all category of utility vehicles. Both of these set new standards for performance, comfort and handling, which explains BMWs insistence in using the word activity in defining both of these game-changing vehicles.

For 2010 the X5 and X6 receive a thorough massaging by the engineers at BMW M, and these two once again reset the benchmarks used to define the concept of all-wheel-drive high-performance. Everything from engine and transmission to suspension and brakes came under the scrutiny of BMW M, with the result that the performance of each of those systems has been pushed up a notch. Like every BMW M product, these two also received an extra dollop of luxury to distinguish them even further.


The Porsche Cayenne Turbo Overview

After missing a year in 2007, the Cayenne Turbo returned to the Porsche lineup in 2008, and was joined a year later by the Cayenne Turbo S, Porsches range topping all-wheel-drive SUV. The $99,675 Cayenne Turbo sports a 4.8-liter twin-turbo V-8 with direct fuel injection, dry-sump lubrication system and an impressive 500 horsepower @ 6000 rpm and 516 lb-ft. of torque @ 6700 rpm. The $125,775 Turbo S bumps the horsepower to 550 with 553 lb-ft. of torque, and adds 21-inch wheels and ceramic brakes. In both Turbo models, the power is transmitted to all four wheels via a 6-speed Tiptronic automatic and all-wheel system with variable torque apportioning front to rear, similar to BMWs xDrive. Porsche has also placed more emphasis on off-road capability, as the Cayennes optional height-adjustable suspension and lockable rear differential testify. Typical of Porsche, chassis dynamics are excellent.

The Cayenne Turbo is reasonably well equipped, with 12-way comfort seats (or no-cost sport seats), navigation, full leather, Park Assist, Porsche Active Suspension Management, and air suspension all standard equipment. Nonetheless, several expected features, such as Panoramic moonroof, Bluetooth phone preparation, 20-inch wheels (19-inch are standard on the Turbo) and rearview camera, are still optional. (The camera also has a surprisingly tacked-on look.) Porsches Dynamic Chassis Control, which uses active anti-roll bars similar to BMWs Active Roll Stabilization, is also optional.



BMW vs. Porsche 


What BMW offers…

  • BMW M twin-turbo 4.4-liter direct-fuel-injected V-8: 555 horsepower and 500 lb-ft. of torque.
  • An incredibly broad powerband, with maximum torque available from 1500 rpm to 5650 rpm, horsepower peaks at 6000.
  • BMWs xDrive with Dynamic Performance Control shifts torque front to rear, as well as to either rear wheel to improve both handling and traction.
  • The X6 M features larger brakes: 15.6-inch front, 15.2-inch rear; 4-piston front calipers, single-piston rear. Rotors are lightweight aluminum hubs with cast-iron rotors.
  • Wheels are 20 x 10-inch fronts, 20 x 11-inch rear, with 275/40 x 20 front and 315/35R-20 rear run-flat performance tires.
  • BMWs iDrive includes an 8.8-inch display and 80GB hard drive w/12GB Music Collection, as well as seven Direct Access Buttons surrounding a console-mounted controller, plus six Programmable Memory Keys and the most intuitive interface in the class.
  • M Drive button allows drivers to tailor vehicle dynamics to their own tastes  including throttle, steering and transmission response, stability control intervention and chassis tuning and call them up at the touch of a finger.
  • M-specific Head-up Display and High Beam Assistant are two optional features not offered by Mercedes.
  • 4.5 sec 0-60 mph.
  • 4 year/50,000 mile maintenance included.
  • 4 year/unlimited miles Roadside Assistance
  • 12 year/unlimited miles corrosion warranty


What Porsche doesn’t…

  • Porsches 4.8-liter DFI V-8: 500 horsepower and 516 lb-ft. of torque (550 hp; 553 lb-ft., Turbo S).
  • Despite the turbocharged design the Porsche engine puts its power far up the rev range, with maximum torque at a fixed 6000 rpm, horsepower at 6700.
  • Porsche has adopted a system similar to xDrive that shifts torque front to rear, but rear axle offers no capacity to apportion torque from side to side.
  • The Cayenne Turbos brakes are surprisingly small: 15.0-inch front, 14.1 rear; 6-piston front calipers, 4-piston rear.
  • Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control, similar to ARS, is a $3500 option on the Cayenne Turbo.
  • Wheels are same-size, 19 x 9-inch, shod with 275/45R-19 performance tires, no run-flat capability. Optional 20-inch wheels start at $2660.
  • Porsche Active Suspension Management allows the driver to select different suspension damping and ride height settings, but doesn't affect transmission programming, steering or throttle response, or stability control intervention.
  • Porsche Communication Management includes only a 6.5-inch display with an awkward touchscreen operation, which requires eyes-off-the-road time. Its 40GB hard drive has only 4GB music storage and none of the other features of BMWs iDrive.
  • Porsche offers neither High Beam Assistant nor a Head-up Display.
  • A multi-function steering wheel is $1550, and Panoramic moonroof is $3900.
  • 5.1 sec 0-60 mph (4.8 sec, Turbo S).
  • 4 year/50,000 mile, no maintenance.
  • 4 year/50,000 miles Roadside Assistance.
  • 10 year/unlimited miles corrosion warranty.


"Lapping the Road Atlanta racetrack during our preview drive, the X6 M flew around corners with awe-inspiring ease. It's huge, yet it's easy to drive quickly and displays tremendous capability. The X6 M is a glorious contradiction of a vehicle." - Car and Driver

Irvine BMW proudly serves Orange County - including Aliso Viejo, Capistrano Beach, Dana Point, East Irvine, El Toro, Foothill Ranch, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, San Clemente, Lake Elsinore, Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Juan Capistrano, Silverado and Trabuco Canyon.

We will make our best efforts that posted prices are always accurate however, we are not responsible for any typographical or other errors that may appear on the site. If the posted price for a vehicle or service is incorrect due to a typographical or other error, such as data transmission, etc., this Dealership or Pixel Motion, Inc. are only responsible for the correct price, which will be provided as soon as we are made aware of such error(s). Ultimately, it is your responsibility to ensure that the information is 100% accurate with the Dealer.

Posted vehicle images and descriptions on our website is representative to what is provided by our suppliers. Please note that the actual vehicle may slightly differ from its specifications and/or images. The Dealership is not responsible for any typographical, pricing, product specifications, advertising or shipping errors. Advertised prices and availability are subject to change without notice.

In the event a vehicle is posted at an incorrect price due to these errors, or if an error in pricing was received from our suppliers, the Dealership reserves the right to refuse and/or cancel these orders.

We will make our best efforts that posted prices are always accurate however, we are not responsible for any typographical or other errors that may appear on the site. If the posted price for a vehicle or service is incorrect due to a typographical or other error, such as data transmission, etc., this Dealership or Pixel Motion, Inc. are only responsible for the correct price, which will be provided as soon as we are made aware of such error(s). Ultimately, it is your responsibility to ensure that the information is 100% accurate with the Dealer.

Posted vehicle images and descriptions on our website is representative to what is provided by our suppliers. Please note that the actual vehicle may slightly differ from its specifications and/or images. The Dealership is not responsible for any typographical, pricing, product specifications, advertising or shipping errors. Advertised prices and availability are subject to change without notice.

In the event a vehicle is posted at an incorrect price due to these errors, or if an error in pricing was received from our suppliers, the Dealership reserves the right to refuse and/or cancel these orders.