Performance SUVs are not everyone’s cup of tea. Some enthusiasts argue that a practical body style designed to drop off kids at school has no business trying to be dynamic.

But there is always an exception to the rule; in this case it is the Porsche Cayenne GTS Coupé.

First applied to the 904 Carrera in 1963, the GTS (Grand Turismo Sport) moniker was designed by Ferdinand Porsche to be a ‘versatile car suitable for both road and track’. While it started on the sports cars, it spilled over to the Cayenne and Macan, as the Porsche portfolio expanded into SUVs.

Badge from heaven

Slotting in between the S and Turbo variants, the GTS is undoubtedly one of our favourite Porsche badges, if not the favourite. It is a product that looks great, sounds even better, and stirs the emotions like few other.

The stars were aligned when we recently took delivery of a Cayenne GTS Coupé in carmine red. It is the colour that probably does the car the most justice. The 21” anthracite grey RS Spyder alloy wheels work a charm with the big, shining red brake callipers staring out from behind them.

The red callipers are included in the Sport Design package, which includes blacked-out head and taillight clusters, black GTS badging and GTS bumpers.

Black accents, a dark bronze finish on the sport exhaust system and wider front air intakes further enhance the GTS’s visual appeal.

The sloping coupé roof adds that little bit of extra sportiness from the standard SUV styling.

Ready to race

The red and black theme continues inside, featuring Race-Tex seats and suede leather trim on the doors, centre console and armrests, while contrast red stitching works a charm.

These are complemented by a heated GT steering wheel with driving mode selector, piano black finishing and brushed aluminium foot pedals.

The Porsche Cayenne GTS features a 12,3” Porsche Communication Management touchscreen infotainment screen alongside a crystal-clear 12,6” digital instrument cluster.

While the Apple CarPlay and Android auto-enabled infotainment system offers great sound, the go-to button on the screen involved a different type of entertainment. Even when you are in ‘granny’ mode, activating the sports exhaust system on the main screen transforms the exhaust notes into intoxicating, symphonic ear candy.

Puristic power

The glorious sound is produced by its sublime 4ℓ V8 bi-turbo petrol powerplant. The mill has been uprated by 30kW of power and 40Nm of torque and now produces 368kW and 660Nm, which is sent to all four wheels via eight-speed Tiptronic S transmission.

In typical Porsche fashion, its claim of the Cayenne GTS reaching 100km/h in 4,4s was confirmed by road test editor Mark Jones. It clocked 4,41s during our test at Gerotek on its way to a top whack of 275km/h.

What’s the verdict?

This coupé is a driver’s car that gives admiring bystanders as much pleasure as the one behind the steering wheel.

While activation of the sports exhaust system in normal driving is already satisfying, the activation of Sport and Sport+ modes is to be experienced.

Launching becomes a brutally exhilarating affair, as the forces push you back in the seat, and the aggressive gear changes and exhaust notes play their part in a dramatic display of brute power.

It’s not only on straights where this 2 220kg beast excels. All the technology under its skin makes it an extremely dynamic ride that behaves in a sports car manner through the corners.

It might be a tad slower than the Cayenne Turbo GT and Turbo S, but the Porsche Cayenne GTS Coupé’s out-there personality is something to behold.

Porsche Cayenne GTS Coupé

Engine: 4ℓ V8 bi-turbo petrol
Transmission: 8-speed Tiptronic S
Power: 368kW at 6 800rpm
Torque: 660Nm at 2 400 to 4 500rpm
Fuel consumption (tested): 17,3ℓ/100km
Licensing mass: 2 220kg
Towing capacity: 3 500kg
Price: R2 662 000