Is the new Porsche Cayenne still the most driver-centric high-end SUV? We drive from Guwahati to Cherrapunji to find out.As beautiful and picturesque as it is, Meghalaya is significantly underrated. Lavish green forests, gorgeous valleys, warm people and some of the very best roadways in the country. It may not sound like the ideal setting for a high-end SUV, but it sure is perfect for a Porsche.So to sample the Cayenne facelift, we were flown to Guwahati, from where we would be driving on a lovely road, for around 150km to Cherrapunji– among the wettest put on earth. In best driving scenarios like these, there is no equaling the Cayenne.Rainfall here averages around the 11,000 mm mark, which, for recommendation, is practically 6 times that of Mumbai (which is supposedly always flooded). Likewise, this was the peak of the monsoons, so the expectation was that the wipers would be doing more work than anything else in the automobile. Porsche Cayenne facelift featureswe, tech and suspension began the day on a surprisingly warm early morning without any indications of the notorious downpour. It was hot! With the Cayennes gleaming, parked in a convoy with German precision, we picked the ones we liked to take a look at and made a beeline for Cherrapunji, searching for rain. Drive modes use large variety of set-ups. The brand-new interior sure does make the Cayenne seem like a Taycan; this is mostly due to the triple screens on the dashboard, out of which, the guest screen is a Rs 1.5 lakh optional extra. Since I remained in the guest seat for our first stint, I poked around to see what was on deal. It is responsive and slick and lively as well, and it allowed me to set up the media and navigation, and if it had internet connection, it would permit streaming content. A cool security function is that the traveler screen is not noticeable to the driver courtesy of a special tint. Another option that became part of the plan was the Rs 2.8 lakh Bose sound system, which was simply impressive. The centre console too is heavily updated with the chunky equipment lever being left out to make more area. The gear selector is now a toggle-style turn on the control panel. In place of the old selector is a glossy panel for the climate control function, and by the time we crossed the hotel gates, it was smeared in fingerprints. Comfortable rear seats are more functional than luxurious.Getting out of Guwahati isnt much of an inconvenience barring some light traffic, and when you are on open roadways, the Cayenne enters its own. As a passenger, I might inform the new greatly remodelled suspension was working marvels. Damaged areas were remarkably easy to make clear and they were hardly obvious in the cabin. This would be expected in a Range Rover, however on a Cayenne, which has traditionally been a stylish SUV, it was happily unanticipated. The Indian version gets air suspension as basic and Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) with its two-valve innovation. Its extremely creative tech, and its adjusted perfectly for Indian conditions. Sports Exhaust is a Rs 5.9 lakh option, however worth the price.At the lunch stop, it was time to get behind the wheel and see how the brand-new Cayenne drives. It started with Shillongs peak traffic. Schools had opened up and it was turmoil on the extremely pretty but also really narrow streets. As we inched ahead, the parking sensing units with the spectacular 360-degree electronic camera were constantly on screen beeping and flashing as cyclists prevented grazing the bulbous fenders. Porsche Cayenne facelift engine, performance, flight & & handlingBut lastly, we inched out of Shillong and onto what might possibly be among the most sensational roads in India. The last 50-odd kilometres revealed the real magic of the North East and the Cayenne. MATRIX headlamps get 16,000 LEDs each.The engine in the Cayenne is a more effective 3.0-litre, twin-turbo V6 which now makes 353hp and 500Nm; not the most amazing figures, and even performance-wise, it wont make you laugh. It does the 0-100kph sprint in 6 seconds and if you have the Rs 2.2 lakh Sports Chrono pack, it will shave off 0.3 secs. On the uphill areas in Sport Plus, you can inform the engine likes to rev high and power is strong, specifically in the mid-range and top-end. Change the mode to Comfort and it simmers down, but the response is still quite strong. This V6, incidentally, will likewise be the sole engine available in India. The 659hp Turbo GT with its V8 wouldnt satisfy emissions standards and the e-hybrid didnt find many buyers to be practical. The Cayenne S with its 474hp V8 could make it to India.Plan your trip timings to avoid chock-a-block traffic through Shillong.But more than the straight-out performance, it is the handling that has always been a Porsche trait. Program the new Cayenne a set of corners, change to Sport Plus mode, which companies up the suspension, and unexpectedly you arent driving an SUV. Words like lean and body roll head out the window and the fulfillment of a well-calibrated steering is second to none. I would recommend getting the Rs 5.9 lakh optional sports tire that includes drama and makes the otherwise subtle V6 more interesting. Porsche Cayenne facelift stylingCloser to Cherrapunji, dark clouds cast their shadow through the Rs 4 lakh panoramic sunroof. We were in for a full cloudburst showdown but we reached the resort in time and the heavens opened just as we parked the cars and trucks, getting rid of the days drive. Like every Porsche, the new Cayenne too is an advancement and not a revolution.The torrid rainfall was as good as a pressure wash and once it stopped, the subtleties in the style updates were again a pleasure to see. Like every Porsche, the brand-new Cayenne too is a development and not a revolution. The headlamps are a little sharper, the MATRIX LEDs are techier and the bumpers are upgraded. Theres 20-inch wheels as standard, but you can pick from as numerous as 24 wheel options, varying from 20-inch to 22-inch. Decals are likewise a choice if you wish to beautify the styling and the back is now sleeker to look at thanks to the repositioning of the number plate. Porsche Cayenne facelift rate and verdictThis being an evaluation, on the way back, I did what most Cayenne owners will not do, or rather, shouldnt do– I beinged in the rear seats. The stylish style is carried over from the front and while its no Range Rover, there was adequate area to extend in, and genuine comfortable seats with environment controls on the left and right, and optional additional sun blinds. And thanks to the excellent suspension, you have exceptional ride quality.A convoy of Cayennes produced movie-like visuals.That said, there is a sense that you are losing out on something however, it does not feel as special as it does from the chauffeurs seat. At Rs 1.3 crore, it isnt inexpensive, and by the time some necessary options are ticked, you get very near the Rs 2 crore mark. To buy this cars and truck, you need to be very sure of what you want for options as well as utility. If you want to be chauffeured around, there are much better alternatives, and also if you want something exclusive and trendy. If you want to drive yourself and are positive that you will make it out of the city frequently, other SUVs will have a hard time to come close to the brand-new Cayenne..

The brand-new interior sure does make the Cayenne feel like a Taycan; this is largely due to the triple screens on the control panel, out of which, the traveler screen is a Rs 1.5 lakh optional additional. MATRIX headlamps get 16,000 LEDs each.The engine in the Cayenne is a more effective 3.0-litre, twin-turbo V6 which now makes 353hp and 500Nm; not the most exciting figures, and even performance-wise, it wont make you giggle. The Cayenne S with its 474hp V8 could make it to India.Plan your trip timings to avoid chock-a-block traffic through Shillong.But more than the outright performance, it is the dealing with that has actually always been a Porsche characteristic. Like every Porsche, the brand-new Cayenne too is a development and not a revolution.The torrid rains was as good as a pressure wash and once it stopped, the nuances in the design updates were once again a delight to see. Porsche Cayenne facelift rate and verdictThis being a review, on the way back, I did what most Cayenne owners wont do, or rather, shouldnt do– I sat in the back seat.