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Qatar players are dejected after their team's 2-0 loss to Oman in

the penultimate round of qualifiers for the Olympics football

tournament.

The fact that Porsche can�t stop building sports cars is evident in

their SUV � the Cayenne

Duane Fonseca

Try searching the Internet for a review of the Porsche Cayenne, and

you�ll find one thing written in hundred different ways and in a

hundred different languages � it�s a steep, but great buy. Like any

other Porsche, the Cayenne too has succeeded in creating a niche for

itself among luxury SUV buyers.

True to its native American name, the Cayenne bustles with raw

power. However, that wouldn�t be the only reason you would want to

buy it. How can you ignore the name Porsche?

The Cayenne is a methodical German raised by the Indians in the

jungles of North America. Why do we say that? Because it seems to be

the perfect combination of muscle and mind or mind and muscle,

whichever way you would like to think of it. The Cayenne is an SUV

built with the heart of a sports car. And though all three of its

variants (the Cayenne V6, the S and the Turbo) drive differently,

its core remains the same and the people at Porsche won�t stop

boasting of the sports car they have built with the physique of an

SUV.

DRIVING EXPERIENCE

Even if you haven�t driven other cars from the Porsche stable, you

ought to give the Cayenne a try. We tried out the Turbo model and

the first thing we noticed is the brilliant handling both on and off

road. For those who are familiar with other Porsches, the 911, for

instance, the characteristic idling of the 911 is quite evident in

the idling of the Cayenne too: what is typical to the 911 can be

experienced in the Cayenne the moment you shift into drive and set

your foot on the accelerator. Though we took a few seconds more, we

realised that if powered right, the vehicle could make the 0-100km

curve in 5.6 seconds flat, as is mentioned in the manual.

When you sit in the Cayenne, you feel that the vehicle knows what to

do in almost every situation and the driver does feel left out of

the action at times. Slowing down from high speeds to a complete

halt is no problem at all because of the vehicle�s ABS system, which

gets the tyres to grip the tarmac like vacuum pads and helps you

steer safely on the road without any bloodcurdling moments.

Porsche�s Traction Management System can be really useful, as we

discovered when driving through the specially dugout trial pits in

the Bausher sands. The system allows the driver to manipulate the

torque levels and the amount of power that needs to be transferred

to the wheels of his vehicle. The Cayenne�s torque adjustability is

one of the best features of the vehicle, because it helps one

to �manually� come out of the most sluggish off-road conditions.

The driving ergonomics incorporated into the vehicle are really

appropriate and one doesn�t have to lift oneself off the seat to

reach for the farthest control knobs. The vehicle�s luxuriously

sporty leather seats are highly thrust absorbing, and opting for the

trim with the light brown tan will only increase the mental

connection you build with the sportiness of smaller Porsches.

SUPERIOR INNER WORK

Exactly a year, after the Cayenne S and the Cayenne Turbo were

launched in the country, Porsche decided to bring in their third

Cayenne, the V6. The Cayenne S and Turbo differ from the V6 mainly

in terms of power, and to some extent, in standards. A 4.5-litre V8

engine capable of producing up to 450hp and 340hp respectively,

powers the Cayenne Turbo and the S. Open the engine and you will

find it stuffed with the latest of automotive advancements. The V8s

have Porsche�s VarioCam variable valve timing feature that permits

an impressive combination of smooth idling, good low-end torque and

free-revving high-end horsepower. The engine�s unique dry-sump

lubrication system facilitates uninterrupted oiling at extreme

angles off the road and on pavement inclines.

SMOOTH RIDE

The vehicle�s power is transmitted through a permanent all-wheel-

drive system with a variable-rate centre differential system that is

managed by multiple clutch plates. The system, except for the two

enhancements built to suit the Cayenne, is similar to that used on

all-wheel drive versions of the 911. These enhancements, controlled

by Porsche�s latest stability and traction management system,

deliver a standard low range for real off-roading and a lock for the

centre differential. The Porsche Traction Management (PTM) system

distributes 62 per cent of the engine�s power to the front wheels

and 32 per cent to the rear, when required.

LOOKS GOOD, TOO

Identifying the Cayenne in rush hour traffic or on the freeway is no

problem at all, as its headlights and front grille are similar to

that of the 911 or Boxster. From the inside too, the Cayenne

resembles one of its sporty cousins. It has a similar three-spoke

steering wheel mounted with multiple controls for the trip computer,

audio system and the climate control air-conditioning adjustments.

The instrument pod, which is positioned under an arch, holds the

speedometer and tacho-meter that flank a multifunction display unit.

The interior of the cabin is pronounced in leather and aluminium,

and what one gets as standard equipment depends completely on the

model opted for. The Bose sound system that has been provided is

enough to vibrate the entire insides of the vehicle and one doesn�t

need to consider more options for additional sound.

Apart from its superior ground clearance, the vehicle�s air

suspension features an automatic self-levelling system that ensures

consistent ride height regardless of the load being carried.

Featuring six different levels of ride height, the suspension system

allows an overall adjustment range of 116mm (4.57 inches) These

different levels start at a loading level of 157mm (6.18 inches) and

go up all the way to 273mm (10.75 inches) for extreme off-road

conditions. The system, in turn, ensures an embankment angle of 32.4

degrees at the front and 27.3 degrees at the rear, allowing the

vehicle to take even relatively steep inclines with ease.

The vehicle�s minimum storage capacity is a huge 540 litres, which,

if required, can be boosted to a maximum of 1,770 litres by tilting

the rear seats over.

So if you�re looking for a sports car in which to fit your entire

family or an SUV that in reality gives you meaning to the

word �sport�, then the Cayenne might just be your best bet. Just

ensure that your family size doesn�t exceed five.

Kids participating during the Terry Fox Run in the city of Muscat.

The very fact that the two have different skin colours makes this

picture interesting. I thought so!!! Would love to know what you

think...

This shot was taken during the Oman Wheelchair Basketball team's

practice session in Muscat. These guys can really fight when they

have to play competitively. The thing is they're always fighting and

giving each other a tough time because they take practice very very

seriously.

A woman in her elements as she sits down for coffee with friends at

the Costa Coffee shop in Qurm, Muscat. I took the photo on the sly,

but I think she suspected me. Anyways it was better that she wasn't

aware, else getting such a shot would be next to impossible.

This shot was taken during the Oman International Rally in 2004.

The driver is just getting into the first corner of a 180 hairpin

bend.

Singer of the Pakistani band Junoon performing at the Muscat

Festival