Porsche has once again raised the bar in the performance SUV category with its latest achievement—the Cayenne Turbo GT has recorded the fastest lap time for an SUV at the prestigious Yas Marina F1 Circuit in Abu Dhabi. Driven by experienced racer Ramez Azzam, the SUV completed the 5.281-kilometer Grand Prix layout in a blistering 2 minutes and 14.046 seconds.
This event marked a significant milestone, as it was officially sanctioned by both the Yas Marina Circuit and the Emirates Motorsport Organisation (EMSO). The lap record wasn’t just a publicity stunt; it was part of a rigorous and transparent process to validate what a production vehicle is truly capable of. Before the lap, the vehicle underwent a thorough inspection to confirm it remained in showroom condition. A 60-minute practice session and a 45-minute qualifying period were allotted to set the official time.
At the heart of this record-breaking machine lies a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine that delivers 485 kW (around 650 horsepower) and 850 Nm of torque. This powerhouse allows the Cayenne Turbo GT to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.3 seconds. The SUV also benefits from Porsche's arsenal of performance tech—Dynamic Chassis Control, active rear-axle steering, and carbon-ceramic brakes—all of which play a crucial role in its ability to handle like a sports car.
Ramez Azzam, who has spent years pushing high-performance machines to their limits, was especially impressed by how confidently the Cayenne Turbo GT handled the tight corners and high-speed sections of the track. He remarked that the vehicle’s stability, braking performance, and cornering speed were nothing short of extraordinary. “For a car of this size to brake so late, carry so much corner speed, and sit so flat is remarkable,” Azzam said. “I could push it so hard and still have confidence. It’s crazy.”
What’s particularly striking about this feat is that it doesn’t come from a stripped-down track car. The Cayenne Turbo GT is a full-bodied, road-legal luxury SUV, complete with all the comforts expected in a Porsche. And yet, it delivered a performance that many dedicated sports cars would envy.
This new benchmark at Yas Marina underscores how far the performance SUV segment has come. Porsche’s blend of engineering precision, raw power, and advanced technology has resulted in a vehicle that doesn’t just look the part—it performs with incredible purpose and poise, even under the intense demands of a Formula One-grade circuit.
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