Ahead of the launch of the latest Cayenne in the spring, Porsche has been subjecting the prototypes and pre-production vehicles to a range of rigorous endurance tests to ensure the new model meets the German OEM’s high standards.
Since the launch of the first iteration Cayenne in 2017, Porsche has progressively improved the vehicle, with revisions of the third generation Cayenne including powertrain, chassis, design, equipment and connectivity changes.
“It’s one of the most extensive product upgrades in the history of Porsche,” said Michael Schätzle, series manager, Porsche.
Alongside the multitude of upgrades, engineers at the Porsche Development Centre in Weissach, Germany, have worked to significantly enhance the model’s chassis system. The team’s development target has been to “achieve an even wider range between the typical Porsche on-road performance, long-distance comfort and off-road capability”, the OEM says. To meet this requirement, the 2023 Cayenne will benefit from a new semi-active chassis and several other component changes. Due to the extensive technology changes – the majority being entirely new developments – Porsche felt an in-depth testing program was required to fine-tune each component.
“We’re subjecting the new Cayenne to a complete and comprehensive testing program, just as if it we’d developed it from scratch,” explained Ralf Bosch, test manager, Porsche.
Running in tandem with simulation tests, Porsche is conducting complete vehicle testing, which consists of real-world test programs to ensure a new model is ready for market. The main aim of the programs is to test operational stability and functionality of all vehicle components and systems, in terms of normal customer requirements and also in abnormal conditions.
During endurance testing, Porsche subjects the vehicle to extremely tough scenarios it normally wouldn’t experience with the average customer. At sites all around the world, including in Asia, Africa, Europe and North America, the Cayenne was subjected to quality and durability testing in an array of different climates. More than 4,000,000km of testing was covered during the program. To simulate a typical vehicle service life, models undergo more than 200,000km of testing in urban traffic, on country road and on highways.
“What we demand from the new Cayenne in tough off-road tests in Spain, on punishing sand dunes in Morocco, or during highly dynamic drives on ice tracks in Finland and on the Nürburgring Nordschleife isn’t something we presume many customers will ever do,” commented Dirk Lersch, who leads the prototype assembly and testing team for the Cayenne. “But anyone who purchases a Porsche should know that it can withstand exceptionally high loads – regardless of the surface being driven on.”
