Porsche is spicing up its appearance in this year’s relatively unknown, Transsyberia Rally which starts off from Moscow and goes all the way though Siberia to Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia from 2-17 August. While in 2006 Porsche was represented with two Cayenne Teams, no less than 26 customer teams from all over the world are now entering the Rally with a special rallying version of the 2008 Cayenne S. The Transsyberia Rally is split up into six categories, with the Cayenne S entering in the Class 1C for gasoline-powered passenger cars with engine capacity of more than four liters. -Continued click “Read More…” below, high-res image gallery & specs included
Compared with the “regular” version of the Cayenne S, the Porsche Cayenne S Transsyberia has received several upgrades like the revised suspension and tires, the addition of a roll cage, a shorter final drive for the Tiptronic S along with a transverse lock to enhance off-road driving qualities etc. There’s no change under the hood as the power unit of the Porsche Cayenne S Transsyberia has been carried over from the stock version with hardly any changes (4.8-liter naturally aspirated V8 delivering 385 Hp). Porsche took measures to lower the cars weight though by throwing out several amenities like the rear seat bench, interior body panels and sound-proofing material. As for the Transsyberia’s appearance, Porsche designers handed the Cayenne S Transsyberia 2007 a sort of Carrera GT3 RS with all that clock-work orange.
Via: Leblogauto , Source: Porsche
PRESS RELEASE: Porsche Cayenne S Transsyberia
The Sporting All-Round Performer
The 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.
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.
Production Engine, Shorter Transmission Ratio
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 natural-aspiration V8 with direct gasoline injection remains 385 HP (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 power increase 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.
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 750 mm 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 double-arm 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
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.
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
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 underfloors 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-car 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-carscoop.
Specifications Porsche Cayenne S Transsyberia*Bodyshell:Monocoque lightweight all-steel bodyshell hot galvanised onboth sides; safety cage bolted into position; full-size airbag forthe driver; two seats.Power Unit: Eight-cylinder power unit in V-arrangement with aluminium crankcaseand aluminium cylinder head; direct gasoline injection (DFI);integrated dry sump lubrication; engine oil change 8.0 litres(17.6 Imp gals); four overhead camshafts; four valves per cylinder;valve timing variable on the intake side and valve lift adjustment(VarioCam Plus); hydraulic vale play compensation; oscillatingtube turbocharger; two-chamber sports exhaust systemwith a three-way catalytic converter (pre- and main catalyst) oneach side; four oxygen sensors for fuel/air mixture control anddiagnosis; On-Board Diagnosis II; engine management SDI 4.1;electronic ignition with eight active individual spark ignition modules;E-gas.Bore: 96 mm (3.78″)Stroke: 83 mm (3.27″)Capacity: 4806 ccCompression Ratio: 12.5:1Engine Output: 283 kW (385 bhp) at 6200 rpmMax Torque:500 Nm (369 lb-ft) at 3500 rpmOutput per litre: 58.9 kW (80.1 bhp)Max Engine Speed: 6700 rpmFuel Grade:Premium plus (RON/MON 98/88) unleaded. Engine able to runon fuel with 91 octane and more, with a certain loss of outputand torque.Addition of up to 25 per cent ethanol possibleElectrical System: 12 V, three-phase 2660 W alternator, battery capacity 95 Ah* Specifications may vary according to national homologationPower Transmission: Engine and gearbox bolted together to form one drive unit; powerconveyed permanently to all four wheels by means of a powerdivider (integrated low-range gear; basic power distribution (rearaxle: 62 per cent, front axle: 38 per cent) variable by means ofmultiple-plate clutch; Porsche Stability Management (PSM) withlongitudinal and lateral dynamic control through automatic interventionin engine management and the brake system.Electronically controlled rear axle differential lock.
Gear ratios Tiptronic S
1st 4.15
2nd 2.37
3rd 1.56
4th 1.16
5th 0.86
6th 0.69
Reverse 3.39
Low-range gear 2.70
Final drive 4.11
Chassis and Suspension: Front: double track arm axle with subframe (spheroidal-casttrack arm at the bottom, aluminium track arm at the top; independentsuspension with reinforced tiebar.Rear: multi-arm axle with subframe (steel plate track arm at thebottom, aluminium track arm at the top); independent suspension.Full-load air spring struts on both axles with integrated dampers,Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM): dampersystem with situation-based, ongoing damper force control.Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC): active anti-roll barsfront and rear.Brakes:Two-circuit brake system; six-piston aluminium monobloc callipersat the front and four-piston monobloc brake callipers atthe rear; diagonal split; inner-vented brake discs front and rear;ABS; vacuum brake servo.Wheels and Tyres: 8 J x 18 on 255/55 R 18 TDimensions:Length 4798 mm (188.90″)Width 1928 mm (75.91″)Height 1748 mm (68.82″)Wheelbase 2855 mm (112.40″)Track front 1681 mm (66.18″)rear 1696 mm (66.77″)Tank capacity 100 litres (22 Imp gals)Performance: Top speed 190 km/h (118 mph), limited by tyresAcceleration:* (in sec)0 – 100 km/h 6.80 – 160 km/h 15.7Standing-start km 26.8Fuel consumption*(EU standard): 13.7 litresCO2 emissions*(EU standard): Overall 329 g/kmEmission category Euro 4* Provisional figures
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