If there was ever any doubt that Porsche could make a 5,000-pound SUV dance like a two-seat coupe, the Cayenne Turbo GT just silenced it. In a record-setting run at Road Atlanta, Porsche’s top-dog Cayenne clocked a blistering lap time of 1:34.38, putting it deep into sports car territory—and proving that utility no longer means compromise.
Behind the wheel was Porsche brand ambassador and pro racer Patrick Long, who wrung out every bit of the 650-hp twin-turbo V8 SUV. The Cayenne Turbo GT isn’t new, but it’s recently been sharpened with unique suspension geometry, a center differential cooler, and standard-fit Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires—plus sticky aerodynamics and a soundtrack that reminds you this is still a proper V8 Porsche.
The Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT Is Properly Fast
Behind the wheel was Porsche brand ambassador and pro racer Patrick Long, who wrung out every bit of the 650-horsepower twin-turbo V8 SUV. The Cayenne Turbo GT isn’t new, but it’s recently been sharpened with unique suspension geometry, a center differential cooler, and standard-fit Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires—plus sticky aerodynamics and a soundtrack that reminds you this is still a proper V8 Porsche.
“The Cayenne is so interesting because it’s full of contradictions about what a sports car can be,” Long said. “It’s got a high center of gravity, sure—but the suspension tuning, the grip, and the chassis feedback are something else. You forget it’s an SUV until you look in the rearview mirror and see all that cargo space.”
Finished in Algarve Blue Metallic with blue-stitched GT interior trim, the record-setting Cayenne was completely stock—right down to the tire pressures. That makes its 1:34 lap even more impressive when you consider the tricky conditions: patchy damp spots, swirling wind, and temps hovering in the mid-70s. Not ideal, but still fast.
The Panamera Goes Even Quicker
Not to be overshadowed, the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid also dropped jaws with a new sedan lap record of 1:30.98—besting the previous Panamera record by more than half a second. Like the Cayenne, it was also bone stock, rolling on Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires specially developed for the car. Armed with 771 combined horsepower from a twin-turbo V8 and plug-in hybrid system, the new Panamera introduces Active Ride suspension that uses hydraulic actuators to optimize contact patches through every corner. Long praised the way the hybrid system delivers both acceleration and regenerative braking with a seamless feel.
“You can brake harder, generate power, and still keep the balance of the car intact,” he said. “It makes you feel like you’re cheating physics.”
Finished in Oak Green Metallic Neo with an Espresso leather interior, power rear seats, and bronze exhaust tips, the Panamera proves you can chase lap times and still have rear window sunshades and ventilated seats.
A Porsche For Every Powertrain
These two benchmark runs follow the earlier lap record set by the Taycan Turbo GT, meaning Porsche now holds production lap records at Road Atlanta with an EV, a hybrid, and a combustion SUV. It’s a trio that proves Porsche isn’t picking favorites—it’s just building fast, capable cars no matter what’s under the hood. And if one of them happens to seat five and carry a week’s worth of groceries pulling 1.3 gs, so be it.
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