Porsche Cayenne GTS breaks cover ahead of LA

The new addition to the company's flagship SUV range promises extra power, performance and handling but should also be less of a brute than the current top-of-the-range Turbo model.

It looks as though sporty, borderline ferocious SUVs are going to be all the rage at this year's LA Auto Show. The Range Rover Sport SVR will be making its first US appearance at the event and the latest BMW X5M and X6M will be making their global debuts.

All boast potent V8 engines under their oversized hoods and all promise car-like handling and straight-line performance.

And now, making its debut alongside them will be the Cayenne GTS which is a little less well endowed -- its power comes from a bi-turbo 3.8-liter V6 -- but could be all the better for it in terms of dynamism and driving fun.

Porsche has managed to wring 434bhp out of the engine, a 0-100km/h time of just 5.1 seconds and a top speed of 260km/h (161mph). Those figures are better than for the 4-liter V8 engine that powered the outgoing Cayenne GTS -- and the fuel economy's better too.

OK, the power's not as great as that offered by the competition but thanks to upgrades to the car's active suspension management system, some serious brakes and a 20mm lower ride height, owners should be able to use pretty much all of that horsepower and acceleration all of the time.

For those that simply crave power, then Porsche already offers the Cayenne Turbo which currently sits at the top of its Cayenne range. With its 4.8-liter V8 engine whose brace of turbochargers help it produce 513bhp, it can rocket from a standstill to 100km/h in 4.4 seconds and onto a top speed of 278km/h (173mph).

As such, the GTS could prove to be the perfect blend of performance, efficiency, fun and exclusivity.

Alongside the GTS Porsche will also be unveiling a new entry-level Cayenne which will be powered by a 3.6-liter V6 stripped of all turbos but still capable of hitting 143mph and of going from 0-100kph in 7.6 seconds when specified with the optional Sport Chrono pack. And, it will be able to return a fuel economy of 30.7mpg (9.2l/100km).

While both cars will be making their first official appearance at the LA Auto Show on November 19, the order book for both models is already open.