Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT Claims Fastest Production SUV Title
- Hassan Soukar
- May 22
- 3 min read
The Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT is officially the fastest production SUV around the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
The Cayenne Turbo GT set a new production SUV lap record of 2:14.046 for the complete 5.281-kilometre Grand Prix layout of the F1 venue, with racing driver Ramez Azzam performing driving duties.
The new benchmark was set in an officially sanctioned event, the first time the Yas Marina Circuit and Emirates Motorsport Organisation (EMSO) combined to conduct a newly established format for officially recognised production car lap records.
The Cayenne Turbo GT features the most powerful Porsche V8 engine. It produces 659 PS of power and 850 Nm of torque and is paired with an eight-speed Tiptronic S transmission.
Performance upgrades include Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) active roll stabilisation system, Active Rear Wheel Steering, and the Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB) system as standard.
New Official Production Lap Record Management Debuted
The new official format dictates that cars receive scrutineering before track activity to ensure they are production-specified. On-track activity is then limited to a 60-minute practice session, followed by a 45-minute qualifying session where the lap record time must be set.
The entire process was overseen by EMSO, led by experienced senior FIA official Fergus Lavers. Full race control facilities were in operation. Even track limits were enforced closely to ensure lap times were within regulations.
“We thank Yas Marina Circuit and EMSO for working together to establish this new, official format for production car lap records at our home circuit,” said Wissam Khalil, General Manager of Porsche Centre Abu Dhabi and Al Ain.
“Our congratulations also go to Ramez for setting such a fast lap time, slightly faster than our previous Cayenne Turbo GT lap record set in 2023.”
The Yas Marina Circuit hosts the Formula 1 season finale yearly and is a hub for motorsport activity in the Middle East. For the first time, the venue can officially sanction production car lap records.
“We congratulate Porsche on setting an official production car lap record with the Cayenne Turbo GT,” said Ali Al Beshr, Yas Marina Circuit General Manager.
“This achievement contributes to our growing portfolio of sanctioned lap records across various car categories, reinforcing Yas Marina Circuit as the benchmark for performance in the region.”
Ramez Azzam Performs Under Pressure
Azzam, winner of the GT4 class in this year’s Dubai 24 Hours, was the pilot selected for the lap record run.
“The new official format puts more pressure on the driver and car, but I enjoyed it,” said Azzam.
“You really get the feeling of a proper event where the pressure is on to ensure you can put a clean and fast lap together in an official timed qualifying session. I even had one time disallowed for track limits, so the entire process is now very much like a proper motorsport event.”
Azzam was impressed with the Cayenne Turbo GT's performance around the full Grand Prix layout of the Yas Marina Circuit.
“The power and sound of the engine are impressive, but what sets the Cayenne Turbo GT apart is its braking and handling performance. For a car of this size to brake so late, carry so much corner speed and sit so flat. I could push it so hard and still have confidence. It’s crazy”.
More product information on the Cayenne Turbo GT can be found here on the Porsche Newsroom.
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