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    Cayenne Steel Suspension vs Air suspension on racetrack

    Has anyone felt the difference between the Cayenne Steel Suspension vs Air suspension on a racetrack? If yes, is there a big difference?

    Re: Cayenne Steel Suspension vs Air suspension on racetrack

    I drove both back to back at the Porsche Driving Experience at Barber Motorsports. Porsche uses a steel suspension Cayenne S as the standard track training vehicle but also have a couple of Cayenne Turbos available, which all have air-suspension. I thought the Cayenne S, with steel suspension, was more responsive in the turns, particularly the transition from left to right or right to left, the S was more composed and settled the suspension faster after that transition.

    Re: Cayenne Steel Suspension vs Air suspension on racetrack

    Austin: can you imagine the S with steel suspension, lowered

    techm8n: I drive both every day, I like the steel suspension more, I think the low level sport mode can't beat my steel suspension lowered with Eibach springs

    Re: Cayenne Steel Suspension vs Air suspension on racetrack

    Quote:
    GM Austin said:
    I drove both back to back at the Porsche Driving Experience at Barber Motorsports. Porsche uses a steel suspension Cayenne S as the standard track training vehicle but also have a couple of Cayenne Turbos available, which all have air-suspension. I thought the Cayenne S, with steel suspension, was more responsive in the turns, particularly the transition from left to right or right to left, the S was more composed and settled the suspension faster after that transition.


    GM, I had the same impression when I went to the PDE, though they must have added more CTs when I was there, as our track time was more evenly split between CSs and CTs. I noticed an even bigger difference on the autocross there between the CS and the Cayenne-6, which I assumed was due to the extra weight up front on the V-8s. To add a further iteration, as RC has reported, the air suspension on the PowerKit is a different animal entirely. The fact is, in whichever version one chooses, I remain astounded at the handling of this truck that weighs more than my old '86 full-size Bronco.

    Re: Cayenne Steel Suspension vs Air suspension on racetrack

    How about in terms of bodyroll, is there a big difference between steel suspension vs low+sport mode air suspension? Which had less bodyroll? You guys must have some fun attending the Porsche Driving Experience. Thanks for your feedback.

    PS: I was thinking of taking my Cayenne S (steel susp.) to our local racetrack to test its handling performance.

    Re: Cayenne Steel Suspension vs Air suspension on racetrack

    Quote:
    sigs said:
    Quote:
    GM Austin said:
    I drove both back to back at the Porsche Driving Experience at Barber Motorsports. Porsche uses a steel suspension Cayenne S as the standard track training vehicle but also have a couple of Cayenne Turbos available, which all have air-suspension. I thought the Cayenne S, with steel suspension, was more responsive in the turns, particularly the transition from left to right or right to left, the S was more composed and settled the suspension faster after that transition.


    GM, I had the same impression when I went to the PDE, though they must have added more CTs when I was there, as our track time was more evenly split between CSs and CTs. I noticed an even bigger difference on the autocross there between the CS and the Cayenne-6, which I assumed was due to the extra weight up front on the V-8s. To add a further iteration, as RC has reported, the air suspension on the PowerKit is a different animal entirely. The fact is, in whichever version one chooses, I remain astounded at the handling of this truck that weighs more than my old '86 full-size Bronco.



    Thanks for that input sigs. I will soon have a new Boxster so I'm thinking of going back to Birmingham for the High-Performance driving course. Porsche had not come out with the V6 when I went to their PDE. Are the off-road Cayennes still air-suspension S's or has that mix changed as well?

    techm8n: I think the steel suspension has slightly less roll but it's hard to say definitively. I have had my air-suspension Cayenne S to a two day PCA track event, logging about 150 miles of track time, and the main thing that is impressive is that something this large and heavy can handle this well at all. Like sigs says, it's astounding. Either steel or air, the Cayenne is completely competent on the track and you find yourself very quickly focused on the track and your technique and forgetting that you're in an SUV. The Cayenne will not do anything distracting while you're out there. No surprises.

    Re: Cayenne Steel Suspension vs Air suspension on racetrack

    Thanks for everyones feedback.

    I just wanted to make sure that I didn't make a bad decision for not being more patient in waiting for a Cayenne S with the air suspension. It was difficult in finding a Certified Pre-Owned Cayenne S with both NAV and Air Suspension options installed. I searched and waited for 3 months. So I opted for a 2004 Cayenne S with NAV, Steel Suspension, and 20" Champion RS97 Monolite forged wheels (weighs 24lbs. only).

    Re: Cayenne Steel Suspension vs Air suspension on racetrack

    Quote:
    [ Are the off-road Cayennes still air-suspension S's or has that mix changed as well?

    techm8n: I think the steel suspension has slightly less roll but it's hard to say definitively. I have had my air-suspension Cayenne S to a two day PCA track event, logging about 150 miles of track time, and the main thing that is impressive is that something this large and heavy can handle this well at all. Like sigs says, it's astounding. Either steel or air, the Cayenne is completely competent on the track and you find yourself very quickly focused on the track and your technique and forgetting that you're in an SUV.



    As always, GM has hit the nail on the head. I was holding off answering Techm8n's body roll question, because I honestly couldn't remember, having had the exact same experience as GM, quickly being absorbed in the track (which is one of the most beautiful you'll ever see) and forgetting I was in an SUV at all.

    GM, congrats on the new Boxster. I hadn't driven one hard in years until the autocross part of the PDE and wheeeee!!!, it grooves like a marble in a rainpipe. I'd love to go do the High Performance PDE course. We got to spend a little time on the tracks in the Carreras, but just enough to whet your appetite. Do you know anyone who's attended the High Performance course? As you know, the Cayenne course is pretty basic, relative to other 2-3 day performance driving courses at other schools, but I'm guessing the HP course is likely a different story, given the quality of the PDE instructors.

    As far as the off-road part of the PDE, I must confess that I didn't notice the suspensions. This was last fall before I ordered mine, and I went as basically an extensive (and expensive) test-drive. I was the only one in the class without a CS or CT, and most also had some version of a 911, Boxster, or both. The truck I was in for the off-road part was a CS with air. There was a mixture of CSs and V-6s (no CTs), and a mixture of with/without the off-road package (holy moly, that unlocked independent wheel travel is something to behold). Interestingly, aside from the little "extreme demo" course, when we were out on the trail, the biggest difference I noticed in the difficulty of ascents was between tire types, and I didn't even think to notice the suspensions, as a near-total Cayenne newbie.

     
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