2008 Porsche Cayenne GTS

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What is it?
2008 Porsche Cayenne GTS

What's special about it?
The Turbo S might be the fastest Porsche Cayenne, but the Cayenne GTS will likely go down as the most agile — if indeed it makes sense to call a 5,000-pound SUV agile.

Scheduled to go on sale in February 2008 with a base price of $69,300, the Porsche Cayenne GTS is an upgraded version of the standard but slightly cheaper Cayenne S.

Light modifications to the naturally aspirated 4.8-liter V8 yield an extra 20 horsepower, which bumps the GTS's rating to an impressive 405 hp at 6,500 rpm. Peak torque holds steady at 369 pound-feet at 3,500 rpm. Equipped with a standard six-speed manual gearbox (yes, really, a manual) and a shorter rear-axle ratio (4.10:1 versus 3.55 in the S), the GTS is capable of hauling itself to 60 mph in about 6 seconds, says Porsche. That's about a half-second quicker than the regular S.

This Porsche features some added agility, too, as the GTS is the first Cayenne to adopt the Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM). This highly coordinated system of adaptive dampers is standard fitment on the Cayenne GTS. Conventional steel springs are standard — lowering the ride height of the GTS by almost an inch — but buyers can order up the optional air springs, as well as Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC), which supplies active antiroll bars.

Equipped with all of the above, the GTS should exhibit disturbingly little body roll, even at an overzealous pace through decreasing-radius corners. In the event of a miniscule change in body attitude, 12-way power sport seats upholstered in a combination of leather and artificial suede promise to keep driver and passenger snugged down.

Wheels measure 21 inches in diameter, which is one up on the '06 Turbo S, and 295/35R21 rubber is fitted at all four corners. With no additional weight to speak of, the brakes receive no significant upgrades.

What's Edmunds' take?
You'll need to be a little nuts to get excited about a Porsche Cayenne with virtually no body roll. You'll need to be even a little more nuts to buy one with a manual transmission. — Erin Riches, Senior Content Editor