intouch1:
i guess that hardly anyone takes their cayennes offroad. limiting factors being the tires and that it's simply too expensive to be trashed around offroad.
i went offroad in mine a few times. nothing too difficult but it was really good offroad in the sand. even with the limiting tires.
the X6 mainly has the edge lookwise.it is a good departure from the standard suv look. kudos to bmw.
the problem with the cayenne 2 is that it simply looks like every other suv with the standard hatch at the back.
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Speed has never killed anyone, suddenly becoming stationary... That's what gets you.
Porsche's goal at the time of the Touareg/Cayenne joint project was for an SUV that was excellent off road too. The fact that the Cayenne is excellent on road, given its tougness and go anywhere ability, is an achievement.
You can fit all weather or even off road tyres on Cayennes if you do off-roading, with the exception I think of the Turbo S, the large brakes of which require big wheels. With these optional tyres the Cayenne is a go-everywhere car in comfort and speed.
With the new fashion for SUVs that cannot go off-road (see X series), Porsche will be forced to offer an "off road delete" option in the next Cayenne to save weight and gain more speed. For example the GTS doesn't need a reduction box and off road capable tough suspension. Without those it would be nearer or better on road that the BMW.
As regards looks not everybody likes the X6. For example personally I find it a "frankenstein car"(you know the novel where the scientist made a man out of dissimilar and not fitting body parts) designed like this for the sole purpose of being different and attracting novelty seekers. Of course many people like it and buy it and nothing wrong with that, its their money they can spend it any way they like. BMW as a mass producer can afford to have many similar style cars like the X3 the X5 the X6 and buyers can pick and choose. Porsche can only produce one SUV and recognising that, a more conventional, non-eccentric design with some Porsche styling cues, like the existing and the upcoming Cayenne is the right choice.
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It's not where you're going, it's how you get there that counts