ATL Motorsports, the arm of the ATL Automotive Group responsible for the Porsche brand of automobiles, welcomed the latest version of its best-selling model, the 2024 Cayenne at Campion College, in St Andrew, on Thursday, August 3.

"We're very happy to have the new Porsche Cayenne here. The Cayenne story continues in Jamaica and is something that people didn't expect could happen, a sports car for five, but here it is in its sixth generation and going very strongly," Uche McLean, head of business, Porsche, told the Jamaica Observer's weekly Auto magazine.

The night saw both the Porsche Cayenne and the Cayenne Coupé sport utility vehicles revealed in front of specially invited guests and media.

"To Porsche Jamaica, it's our best-selling model, so it's very important. It's also the best-selling model worldwide for Porsche. It's a car that a lot of customers get into the brand with first before transitioning to the serious sports cars. So it's very important to us, and we're happy to have the new Cayenne here," said McLean.

In typical Porsche fashion the new model is more about refinement than major changes. This makes the 2024 Cayenne retain everything that has made it a sales leader for the brand, yet improves it dramatically for customers, new and old.

"The truth is Porsche does things a little differently. They don't make large changes to their cars. The subtle redesign, upgrades in power, performance, and technology allow the Cayenne to stay true to the Porsche and Cayenne DNA. Customers keep loving the vehicles because of that, so whatever the customers have asked for that would not have been in previous versions Porsche listened, Porsche answered those questions," explained McLean.

The subtle exterior updates give the Cayenne a more expressive and athletic appearance, as a new front-end design, including a new bonnet, bolstered fenders, and headlights emphasise the car's width. Around the back the tail lights are even more sculpted for a three-dimensional appearance with the space for the licence plate moved lower for an uncluttered design. The SUV can be had in three new standard colours and now has a range of wheel designs from 21 to 23 inches for an even more athletic stance.

The major changes are in the technology and under the skin. The 3-litre V6 now has more horsepower and torque in standard and E-Hybrid form. The base motor now puts out 348bhp and 369lb/ft of torque.

When paired with the hybrid motor power jumps to 464bhp. The battery moves from 17.9 kWh to 25.9 kWh for a maximum electric only range of 90 kilometres. The V8 option has also gone under extensive revision and is found in the Cayenne S with an output of 467bhp and 442lb/ft of torque.

Porsche Active Suspension Management is now the default suspension bearing steel springs with shock absorbers with two-valve technology for comfort at slow speeds and more dynamic handling at higher speeds.

The optional adaptive air suspension is also new for 2024 with two-chamber, two-valve technology for an even sharper differentiation between Normal, Sport, and Sport Plus driving modes. For those who would rather not drive there are a comprehensive range of new and optimised assistance systems such as evasion assist, cornering assist, and the improved Porsche InnoDrive as part of the adaptive cruise control.

Inside, the Cayenne receives the control concept first introduced in the Porsche Taycan, the Porsche Driver Experience. This is group of ergonomic and technology changes that optimise driver interaction. Occupants can quickly access major functions from large physical switches, or through the digital devices like the new curved 12.6-inch display and its matching partner the 12.3-inch central Porsche Communication Management infotainment screen. For those seeking even more technology, a 10.9-inch passenger side screen is available. Other niceties include wireless changing, native apps such as Spotify and Apple Music, and the usual Porsche quality.

At this point the Cayenne and Cayenne E-Hybrid are available with the remaining trim levels due.

"Big things coming up for the rest of the year, Porsche's first full-electric car in Jamaica gets here [this month], we'll do a launch in September for the Porsche Taycan, so that's going to be a big event and we're excited about that," said McLean.