With its twin-turbo 4.8-litre V8 engine, the Turbo S produces 404 kW of power – 36 kW more than the regular Turbo’s 368 kW output. Maximum torque is also on the up – bolstered by 50 Nm to 750 Nm from 2,250 to 4,500 rpm.

This translates into a zero to 100 km/h sprint time of 4.8 seconds and a top sped of 280 km/h, compared to the regular Turbo’s 5.1 seconds and 275 km/h respectively.

The Turbo S is in response to the wishes of Porsche customers, especially those in emerging markets such as Asia and Eastern Europe, where demand is high for exclusive sports-style SUVs with top quality handling and performance.

Despite the extra performance, fuel efficiency figures for the Turbo S are exactly the same as those for the Cayenne Turbo (as per the calculation methods stipulated under the New European Operating Cycle - NEFZ).

From the outside, the Turbo S is recognised by 21-inch SportPlus alloy wheels filling its wheel arches and by a sports exhaust system with four tail pipes made from precision cast aluminium. The air intake grilles and wheel arches are body coloured and a new colour – Lava Grey metallic – is now offered exclusively on the Turbo S.

The Turbo S’s enhanced performance is achieved through its modified exhaust system and improvements to the engine control unit (ECU).

Handling and ride quality are maximised by the self-levelling air suspension incorporating Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) and Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC). Servotronic speed-sensitive variable power steering is also standard.

And for the first time, Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB) will be available as an option on the Turbo S – the first time these high-tech brakes have been available on any Porsche SUV. The front axle ceramic discs are 410 mm in diameter, while the rears are 370 mm. Deceleration takes place via six-piston calipers at the front and four-piston calipers at the rear.

PCCB will be available as an option on other Cayenne models, subject to wheel sizes of at least 20 inches.

Reflecting its top-of-the range status, the Turbo S interior features, as standard, front sports seats with Comfort Memory Package, rear seating with individual seat contours, aluminium door panels showing the name plate together with leather upholstery in two exclusive dual-colour combinations (Black/Havana and Black/Steel Grey), plus leather steering wheel with padded centre.

The latest generation of Porsche Communication Multimedia System Management (PCM) inclusive of navigation module with hard drive provides a full range of new, easily accessed functions actuated via a touch-screen. This also includes as standard a universal audio interface (with MP3 connection) as well as mobile telephone module with Bluetooth functionality. Voice actuation for the navigation and a TV module are available as options.

The standard BOSE® Surround Sound System with 14 speakers features 410 Watt output and is now capable of reproducing music from audio and video DVDs in 5.1 Discrete Surround Format.

The Turbo S joins the Porsche range in Australia later this year in small numbers, priced from $265,500 (RRP).

Technical data: Porsche Cayenne Turbo S