Porsche Cayenne Diesel S

But the Cayenne has never been an ordinary SUV, it has always had proper Porsche genes running through it and with the latest model looking sharper and driving even better, it makes sense as a more practical proposition for people who have to have the Porsche shield on the front of their car.

However, you might wonder if there is any need for another engine option in the Cayenne.

For a car that is going to be bought by a lucky few, it already offers a remarkably broad spread of powerplants. There’s the ‘entry-level’ V6 petrol, the V8 petrol in two outputs, the outrageous V8 turbos that also come in two outputs, the hybrid petrol and the existing diesel.

There’s nothing wrong with the diesel offering either. It offers up 405lb.ft of torque and as a result can manage 0-62mph in 7.6 seconds, 137mph flat out and deliver 39.2mpg combined.

But the Porsche engineers seemed to think that was not enough and introduced the Diesel S.

So now we have a Cayenne with a new, eight-cylinder twin turbo unit that Porsche claims is a unique offering in the segment.

Better still are the numbers it produces. With 382bhp, it is a whisker behind the V8 petrol but it is the torque output that really slackens the jaw. A mammoth 626lb.ft of torque is available from just 2,000rpm, almost a whole 100lb.ft more than the truly insane petrol Turbo S. It’s little wonder the Cayenne S Diesel is such a rapid machine.

It takes no more than a gentle prod with the right foot to bring forth a deeply satisfying grunt-cum-growl from the engine room.

Press down a little harder and that enormous torque translates to a huge slug of power that seems to invade the cabin. Press the Sport button and there’s an increased urgency that propels the Cayenne at speeds more suited to sports cars.

It blasts to 62mph in a borderline absurd 5.7 seconds – 0.2 seconds faster than the V8 petrol Cayenne S – and can hit 156mph. It’s hard to put these numbers out of your mind when you slide behind the wheel, but this is a diesel underneath it all and so is far less intimidating than you might expect.

Climb aboard and the familiar Cayenne cabin greets you, with clear and logical displays. The deep centre console is nothing short of brilliant in its design, with its two rows of buttons and switches that has been adopted from the Panamera saloon and makes a strong visual statement.

A leather interior comes as standard, along with front and rear parking sensors, dual zone climate control and an audio system with a seven-inch touch screen, The smooth Tiptronic eight-tspeed automatic transmission is available across the range, along with an auto stopstart function.

You get a full-on SUV command driving position, so the view out is excellent, yet there’s still a sportscar feel. You are high up but surrounded by the cabin, and it certainly doesn’t feel top-heavy or ungainly.

The driving position is superb and you grasp a sports-orientated Porsche steering wheel with a relatively thin rim, all of which helps to get you in the mood.

The engine is so flexible that ordinary driving is effortless, and with adjustable suspension that can be tweaked for maximum comfort the Cayenne S Diesel is both intoxicating and relaxing. Big distances can be covered with ease with plenty of space for passengers and luggage. The 100-litre fuel tank may cost a bit to fill, but allows a range of more than 700 miles.

But it would take a particularly dedicated individual to drive that far and not exploit the performance, so tempting is the amount of acceleration on offer.

Regardless of speed or gear, apply a firm right foot to the accelerator and the S Diesel urges forward with no discernible effort, with the eightspeed automatic transmission marshalling all the forces superbly well whether you shift yourself or leave it to your own devices.

And it behaves as a Porsche should when you arrive at a challenging bend. Of course this is not a lightweight car but the way it behaves when pressed is remarkable.

It responds accurately to the driver’s demands, with good feedback through the steering, impressive balance and generally more composure than a car of this size should be capable of.

Not only does it deliver driving fun in spades, it also brings comfort and practicality into play.

Options fitted to the test car included the superb Bi-xenon headlights system with dynamic cornering at £1,165 (recommended) and 21-inch SportDesign alloys with wheel arch extensions at £3,039 (ouch).

If you have a big enough wallet, you can add many more thousands of pounds to the price tag.

Only the Range Rover Sport compares with this car, and for many it will be a personal choice of badge that clinches the deal. Both cars have reached new heights of excellence.

Porsche Cayenne Diesel S

PRICE: From £58,243 E

NGINE: 4.2-litre diesel unit producing 382bhp

TRANSMISSION: Eight-speed automatic driving all four wheels

PERFORMANCE: Top speed 156mph, 0-62mph in 5.7 seconds

ECONOMY: 34mpg combined C

O2 RATING: 218g/km