The bar has been raised
1st, I think its a great decision to go M with the SUVs in light of the recession. Porsche has made a killing on the Cayenne and will likely rake plenty in with the Panamera. And that brings me to the last point of this post. I respect all brands, but I can't hide my pride that BMW has shown up the Cayenne. I love Porsche, but there is an idea that escapes so many novice car enthusiasts; which is that Porsche's status as a manufacturer is nearly entirely based on the 911's mystique. To their credit, the people at Stuttgart stuck with a flawed idea and constantly refined it and honed it. And therein lies the success and unique character of a 911 (and to a certain extent the boxster/cayman). This is undeniable fact. Equally undeniable is the fact that neither a Cayenne nor a Panamera can claim membership in this club of refining an unconventional layout. Their layouts are 100% traditional with V8 engines up front like every other SUV and sedan before them. They do, and I'm sure will, have Porsche 'touches' no doubt (brake technology, suspension tuning, styling etc.) but in my opinion, given their prices (well optioned), neither of these cars sell well the moment you take the crest off the hood. They both provide the 911 lover with something that has a Porsche badge and is way more comfortable so they can put 20,000+ miles a year on. I believe that BMW's X Ms, particularly due to the amazing rear differentials, are going to demonstrate what anyone whose driven a Cayenne (aside from the Turbo or GTS) knows, which is that the actual dynamics and handling capabilities of a Cayenne are in no shape or form superior to an X5. They never have been. (see youtube video of a Cayenne GTS vs. an X5 4.8 - down 55 hp and with non M sport suspension, the X5 finished the 1.5 min lap less than 2 sec. behind) How has BMW exposed the true limitations of the Cayenne? By doing what I'd bet Porsche has feared most from the moment it decided to develop the Cayenne along with VW: take engine power completely out of the equation by offering a true match to the Turbo S. Previously, the fact that the turbo Cayenne far out powered its competition took emphasis off handling and chassis differences. Now you can compare an X5M to a Cayenne Turbo S without any footnotes or preconditions. The fact that a fully loaded X5 M should be about $40,000.00 less while it beats the 2009 Cayenne Turbo S to 60 and then rounds the Nurburgring faster can't hurt either... :) I'm certain Porsche has been working on a "Red October" to counter this threat.... In the mean time, kudos to the power-crazed maniacs at Motorsport division!
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