Porsche Cayenne Preview – 2007 Detroit Auto Show: Enthusiasts, especially Porsche purists, relentlessly criticized the German sports car manufacturer when it decided to build an SUV at the height of the sport-ute heyday. That the vehicle was co-engineered with Volkswagen didn’t lend the Cayenne credibility with that crowd, and the underpowered price-leading V6 model undermined the company’s fundamental promise of performance. Nevertheless, the Cayenne was good on the road as well as off the road, in the dry or wet, making it an impressive do-everything kind of vehicle. Now, the 2008 Porsche Cayenne gets a thorough update that makes it better in almost every regard.

When it debuted, the Cayenne immediately became the best selling Porsche model. However, sales have stalled in recent years. The styling update for 2008 provides incentive for current Cayenne owners to get the latest and greatest model, and a new range of engines with more power, better acceleration, and improved fuel economy might move the needle further in Porsche’s favor.

More powerful, more fuel-efficient direct-injection engines are the main upgrade for the 2008 Porsche Cayenne. The standard Cayenne’s V6 increases from 3.2 to 3.6 liters in displacement, making more torque and about 290 horsepower. Still, acceleration to 60 mph takes eight seconds, which is not respectable enough for a Porsche. The new 4.8-liter V8 in the Cayenne S does better, making about 385 horsepower and getting to 60 mpg in 6.5 seconds. The top-shelf Cayenne Turbo spools up about 500 ponies for a 60-mph acceleration run in about five seconds.

Prius targeted: Maryland lawmakers want "minimum" vehicle sound levels  

While the Toyota Prius and other hybrids may be the next best thing to riding a Vespa for the environment, one group has been concerned about their lack of nois...

REPORT: Alan Mulally wants an FG Falcon  

But is he getting one for himself? One could certainly infer that's the case based on this GoAuto article , which reports that the Ford CEO was so blown away by...

Leaked: Volkswagen Passat R36  

The automotive industry must not be very well sealed, as photos and information has been leaked about Volkswagens new Passat R36. Whats more or less a North Ame...

A Fuel Cell Explorer; Now Thats Progress.  

The LA Auto Show, which, is going to be happening very shortly, will play host to a whole bunch of environmentally-friendly debuts, a couple of which are going ...

Sebring Convertibles Hard Top Roof is Official  

Heres the moment youve (sort of) been waiting for: Chryslers drop-top Sebring. Known by all as the convertible of choice by rental companies, its been redesigne...

It's VW's turn: here comes another 4-door coupe  

The CLS has begun a trend that simply will not quit, with Volkswagen being the latest to join the express train to a 4-door-coupe. The 4DC trend is not a bad th...