This ultra-sporting offroader is making its debut in the Transsyberia Rally taking contestants from Moscow all the way though Siberia to Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia from 2-17 August
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Porsche Cayenne S TranssyberiaThe Porsche Cayenne S Transsyberia is a typical Porsche through and through, tailored precisely to the needs and requirements of the sporting, ambitious customer - which in this case means a car tailored specifically to the requirements of long-distance rally racing.
Even Better off the Beaten Track Like all other models in the Cayenne range, the Cayenne S Transsyberia also comes with Porsche Traction Management (PTM) permanent all-wheel drive. In its basic mode, PTM feeds 62 per cent of the engine's torque to the rear wheels and 38 per cent to the front. Then a multiple-plate clutch operated by an electric motor and controlled electronically is able to vary the distribution of power as a function of driving conditions, if necessary feeding as much as 100 per cent of the engine's power completely to the front or rear. The map-controlled longitudinal lock and the differential lock on the rear axle respond not only to lack of traction on the front or rear wheels, but also benefit from sensors measuring the speed of the vehicle, its lateral acceleration, the steering angle and the position of the accelerator pedal. Using this information, PTM is able to consistently calculate the degree of lock required on the two axles and feed precisely the power required to the axle at the front and rear. A transverse lock fitted additionally in the Cayenne S Transsyberia serves to enhance offroad driving qualities to an even higher standard (and is also available in the regular production model as part of the optional Offroad Technology Package). Particularly in heavy terrain, PDDC Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control, interacting with air suspension and PASM Porsche Active Suspension Management, enhances traction to an even higher standard. And should the driver activate the low-range mode on the six-speed automatic transmission by means of the control paddle, PDCC will automatically switch over to the offroad mode, the system thus allowing maximum articulation of the axles. In the Special Offroad Mode provided by the air suspension, the maximum depth when crossing rivers and streams, etc, is approximately 75 centimetres or almost 30". To make such an extreme depth possible, both the body and the doors are sealed off against the penetration of water all the way up to the side windows. And using a flexible air filter snorkel, the air intake has been moved up even further to the roof of the vehicle, ensuring that the front wave typical when crossing water is not able to reach, let alone enter, the intake manifold. The wheels and suspension of the Cayenne have naturally also been modified for the most extreme, long-term demands of rough tracks and rocky surfaces. As an example, the doublearm front axle comes with reinforced track control arms, with track itself being increased by 34 millimetres or 1.34" for extra stability. The usual high-speed tyres fitted on the regular model are replaced by special offroad tyres measuring 255/55 R 18 T and homologated for speeds of up to 190 km/h or 118 mph. The tyres themselves are fitted on 18-inch, 15-spoke Cayenne S II light-alloy wheels and the rim hubs are finished in orange, like on the Porsche GT3RS. Massive Safety Cell within the Interior
Optimised for Minimum Weight All Round To set off the extra weight of the safety cage and rally equipment, and to further lower the vehicle's centre of gravity, the rear seat bench, interior body panels and sound-proofing material have all been removed from the car. Central locking, in turn, is replaced by a manual door opening mechanism on the front doors with orange-coloured opening and closing loops. Both the rear window and the side windows at the rear are made of light polycarbonate, while the side windows at the front, as on all Cayenne models, feature special hydrophobic treatment at the outside to make water run off more quickly and smoothly and ensuring that the glass remains far cleaner for far longer than with conventional windows. As another important advantage, both the driver and front passenger enjoy the benefits of lightweight sports seats with a leatherette/Alcantara cover. Sporting Exterior The new models in the Cayenne range are even more sporting and dynamic also in their looks than their predecessors. And so it is no surprise that the Cayenne S Transsyberia comes with the same brand-new front end as well as the dynamic rear-end design of the new model enhanced to an even higher standard, extra-large air intake scoops bearing clear testimony to the car's superior power and performance. On the tailgate the Cayenne S Transsyberia boasts a roof spoiler with a double-wing profile fitted in position to provide even greater stability at high speeds. The front and rear air dams, in turn, are finished in stainless steel, and orange-coloured wheels give the Cayenne S Transsyberia a sporting look, making the vehicle easily recognisable at very first sight. At the side this special rally model proudly boasts orange-coloured stripes bearing the name “Cayenne S Transsyberia 2007" in a look similar to that of the Porsche Carrera GT3 RS. The Cayenne S Transsyberia is available exclusively in two special colour schemes – either Basalt Black Metallic or Crystal Silver Metallic. And matching the model designation at the sides as well as the wheel rims, contrasting elements such as the exterior mirrors, the rear wing, the additional headlights and crossbars on the cooling air intakes are all finished in orange. Wide Range of Rally Equipment
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Compared with the “regular" version of the Cayenne S, the
Porsche Cayenne S Transsyberia as a special rally version has been modified
on a number of points serving first and foremost to enhance safety and the
car's racing performance. The power unit of the Porsche Cayenne S Transsyberia
has been carried over from the regular road version of the Cayenne S with
hardly any changes: Output of this 4.8-litre naturalaspiration V8 with direct
gasoline injection remains 385 bhp (283 kW) at 6200 rpm. Maximum torque of
500 Newton-metres or 369 lb-ft, in turn, comes at just 3500 rpm. VarioCam
Plus valve management ensures a smooth and consistent surge of power throughout
the entire speed range, with engine management varying valve lift on the
intake side between 3.6 and 10 millimetres as a function of engine speed.
And with the intake manifold also being variable in length, the engine provides
muscular torque right from the start even at low engine speeds. Despite the
increase in power over the previous engine, the new 4.8- litre reduces fuel
consumption by approximately 15 per cent, giving the Cayenne S a significantly
longer cruising range than before – obviously a big advantage particularly
in a long-distance rally. Automatically detecting the quality of the fuel
it is running on, the engine is also able to run on regular fuel with an
octane rating of 91 or more, even though this will reduce both engine output
and torque. In fact, the engine is also able to run on a mixture of gasoline
and ethanol, with up to 25 per cent of the latter. A sports exhaust system
reduced for minimum weight gives the Cayenne S Transsyberia a particularly
powerful and muscular sound, while Tiptronic S transmission with a shorter
final drive ratio helps to ensure even better acceleration both from the
start and in gears. And last but not least, the transmission management has
been optimised for offroad use of the vehicle.
It is already well known that the Porsche Cayenne ranks right
at the top in the offroader market also in terms of body stiffness and passive
safety – which is no surprise, considering that more than 60 per cent
of the body-in-white is made of high-strength steel. Forces generated in
an accident are absorbed by three load levels above one another and fed into
the stiff longitudinal floor support, the side-sills and tunnel areas. The
reinforcements in the A- and B-pillars, in turn, are made of ultra-high-strength
steel to improve safety in a rollover. And to offer both the driver and passenger
even better protection from the consequences of a collision or rollover under
racing conditions, the Cayenne S Transsyberia comes with a safety cage bolted
on to the passenger cell. Indeed, this cage even follows the rules and
requirements of the FIA Motorsport Authority, with the driver also being
protected by an airbag for extra safety.
All 26 units of the Cayenne S Transsyberia come as standard
with a navigation unit enabling the team to plan their routes also off the
beaten track, with the navigation system naturally being masterminded by
the passenger for optimum efficiency. The glove compartment is replaced on
this special model by a Tripmaster computer enabling the co-pilot to exactly
scrutinize the route between individual navigation points on the way. Most
of the control units are fitted within the interior, and all electric lines
and wires have been installed at new points and in new positions. Using a
central switch at the right beneath the driver's seat, the man at the wheel
or the co-driver are able to switch the on-board electrics on and off in
one quick and convenient operation, thus re-setting the electronic system
if necessary even while driving. Air for the engine is drawn in through a
special opening above the engine compartment lid, a snorkel serving to move
the air intake up even higher all the way to roof level, thus ensuring that
the front wave generated when crossing rivers or streams, etc, is not able
to enter the intake manifold. Reinforced and extra-large underfloor protection
panels made of aluminium and an additional cover made of stainless steel
for the exhaust tailpipes protect the Cayenne S Transsyberia from the particular
damage and exposure easily encountered on a rally with its extremely tough
conditions. The regular foot-operated parking brake is replaced by a handbrake
enabling the driver to oversteer the vehicle intentionally in a tight bend.
Four additional headlights are fitted on the roof, and to successfully master
particularly difficult and demanding terrain, as well as to salvage other
vehicles, the Cayenne S Transsyberia comes with a winch easy to fit when
necessary and stored for convenient use in the luggage compartment. The luggage
compartment also comes with two 20-litre reserve cans, a hydraulic offroad
car jack, two fire extinguishers, two sand boards, two full-size spare wheels,
and two transport boxes for tools. Further features included as standard
are two two-man tents, two heat-insulated mats, four lashing belts, a
nine-metre-long salvage belt complete with tackle, a folding spade, a folding
saw, an axe, a manually operated and adjustable headlight, four towing bar
openings and a complete Hazet toolkit.