As recently as 15 years ago, the notion of a full-size SUV that could hit 300 kilometres per hour would have seemed downright absurd. How could a lofty chariot that stands more than 1.6 metres tall and weighs well over two tonnes be that fast? And why?
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It’s clearly a sign of progress that there are now no fewer than five high-riding wagons that can crack the triple-century speed limit — Lamborghini’s Urus, Bentley’s Bentayga Speed, Aston Martin’s DBX 707, Audi’s RS Q8 and Porsche’s ballistic new Cayenne Turbo GT.
It’s no coincidence that the Cayenne Turbo GT shares most of its hardware with the Lamborghini Urus and Audi RS Q8, as all three brands fall under the umbrella of the Volkswagen Group and can therefore access many of the same core components.
Be that as it may, each has its own personality and visual presence, with the Porsche offering a different flavour to its Audi and Lamborghini counterparts. Where the Urus is in your face and shouty, and the RS Q8 is a tad understated, the Porsche sits between the two in terms of its stylistic aggression and demeanour.
The new Cayenne spearhead isn’t a GT in name only, as it’s been turned out by the same go-faster Porsche department that has given us cracking sportsters such as the Cayman GT4 and recently launched 911 GT3.
Rather than merely remapping the engine management software, Porsche’s boffins have comprehensively re-engineered the twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8, fitting it with a new fuel injection system and new internals for the turbos and crankshaft. The con-rods, pistons and timing chain are also either bespoke or thoroughly redeveloped for the Turbo GT.
The results are obvious, as a 0-100kph sprint in 3.3 seconds and top speed of 300kph puts the 640hp/850Nm Cayenne Turbo GT in the thick of the hyper-SUV segment. By comparison, the Lambo Urus bolts from 0-100kph in 3.6 seconds and hits 305kph flat out, while Aston’s DBX 707 dispatches 0-100kph in 3.3 seconds and tops out at 310kph.
The GT’s added grunt vis-a-vis the standard Cayenne Turbo means the ZF eight-speed auto and four-wheel drive system had to be thoroughly overhauled, and there’s now an additional cooler for the gearbox’s transfer case to keep temperatures in check.
The Cayenne Turbo GT’s chassis has also been revamped as it sits 17 millimetres lower than the standard Cayenne Turbo, while the air springs and active dampers are retuned to offer 15 per cent greater stiffness. There’s also new software for the active anti-roll bar system and the carbon-ceramic brakes are upgraded. In addition, the 22-inch gold rims and Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres are bespoke to the GT.
So much for the ingredients. The National’s test confirmed the Cayenne Turbo GT is not only mind-numbingly rapid in a straight line, but also remarkably agile and composed under heavy cornering loads for such a hefty vehicle. The 2.3-tonne SUV’s backroad pace isn’t too far adrift of its low-slung sportscar stablemates, so it somehow manages to virtually defy physics.
Drive the Turbo GT sedately in Normal mode and it’s decently refined, too. Its stiffened suspension and low-profile rubber mean ride quality is firmer than lesser Cayennes. Even so, only the sharpest road-surface imperfections are transmitted through to the cabin. The exhaust gets pleasingly raucous in Sport and Sport+ drive modes, but minus the crackling pyrotechnics you get in the Lambo Urus when you lift off the throttle.
Hugely rapid and capable the Cayenne Turbo GT may be, but you’d still have to ask yourself whether an SUV with only four seats and 549 litres of luggage capacity makes it a better purchase than a Panamera Turbo S sedan. After all, the latter can do pretty much everything the Cayenne Turbo GT can and has the dynamic advantages of being lighter and lower.
Low-profile road-biased tyres and modest ground clearance mean the pricey Cayenne Turbo GT wasn’t conceived to go off-road, but many buyers will nevertheless be lured by its searing pace, lofty driving position and perceived all-terrain capability.
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- Brock Lesnar retained the WWE Universal title against Roman Reigns
- Braun Strowman and Nicolas won the Raw Tag Team titles against Sheamus and Cesaro
- AJ Styles retained the WWE World Heavyweight title against Shinsuke Nakamura
- Nia Jax won the Raw Women’s title against Alexa Bliss
- Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon beat Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn
- The Undertaker beat John Cena
- The Bludgeon Brothers won the SmackDown Tag Team titles against the Usos and New Day
- Ronda Rousey and Kurt Angle beat Triple H and Stephanie McMahon
- Jinder Mahal won the United States title against Randy Orton, Rusev and Bobby Roode
- Charlotte retained the SmackDown Women’s title against Asuka
- Seth Rollins won the Intercontinental title against The Miz and Finn Balor
- Naomi won the first WrestleMania Women’s Battle Royal
- Cedric Alexander won the vacant Cruiserweight title against Mustafa Ali
- Matt Hardy won the Andre the Giant Battle Royal
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Four reasons global stock markets are falling right now
There are many factors worrying investors right now and triggering a rush out of stock markets. Here are four of the biggest:
1. Rising US interest rates
The US Federal Reserve has increased interest rates three times this year in a bid to prevent its buoyant economy from overheating. They now stand at between 2 and 2.25 per cent and markets are pencilling in three more rises next year.
Kim Catechis, manager of the Legg Mason Martin Currie Global Emerging Markets Fund, says US inflation is rising and the Fed will continue to raise rates in 2019. “With inflationary pressures growing, an increasing number of corporates are guiding profitability expectations downwards for 2018 and 2019, citing the negative impact of rising costs.”
At the same time as rates are rising, central bankers in the US and Europe have been ending quantitative easing, bringing the era of cheap money to an end.
2. Stronger dollar
High US rates have driven up the value of the dollar and bond yields, and this is putting pressure on emerging market countries that took advantage of low interest rates to run up trillions in dollar-denominated debt. They have also suffered capital outflows as international investors have switched to the US, driving markets lower. Omar Negyal, portfolio manager of the JP Morgan Global Emerging Markets Income Trust, says this looks like a buying opportunity. “Despite short-term volatility we remain positive about long-term prospects and profitability for emerging markets.”
3. Global trade war
Ritu Vohora, investment director at fund manager M&G, says markets fear that US President Donald Trump’s spat with China will escalate into a full-blown global trade war, with both sides suffering. “The US economy is robust enough to absorb higher input costs now, but this may not be the case as tariffs escalate. However, with a host of factors hitting investor sentiment, this is becoming a stock picker’s market.”
4. Eurozone uncertainty
Europe faces two challenges right now in the shape of Brexit and the new populist government in eurozone member Italy.
Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at IG, which has offices in Dubai, says the stand-off between between Rome and Brussels threatens to become much more serious. "As with Brexit, neither side appears willing to step back from the edge, threatening more trouble down the line.”
The European economy may also be slowing, Mr Beauchamp warns. “A four-year low in eurozone manufacturing confidence highlights the fact that producers see a bumpy road ahead, with US-EU trade talks remaining a major question-mark for exporters.”
AndhaDhun
Director: Sriram Raghavan
Producer: Matchbox Pictures, Viacom18
Cast: Ayushmann Khurrana, Tabu, Radhika Apte, Anil Dhawan
Rating: 3.5/5
Scoreline:
Everton 4
Richarlison 13'), Sigurdsson 28', Digne 56', Walcott 64'
Manchester United 0
Man of the match: Gylfi Sigurdsson (Everton)
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Heavily-sugared soft drinks slip through the tax net
Some popular drinks with high levels of sugar and caffeine have slipped through the fizz drink tax loophole, as they are not carbonated or classed as an energy drink.
Arizona Iced Tea with lemon is one of those beverages, with one 240 millilitre serving offering up 23 grams of sugar - about six teaspoons.
A 680ml can of Arizona Iced Tea costs just Dh6.
Most sports drinks sold in supermarkets were found to contain, on average, five teaspoons of sugar in a 500ml bottle.
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
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