Going by the grey mule I think the bigger grills and single tail pipes indicate we are looking at a base or S and they will be moving to smaller turbo motors like the Panny rather than the current NA motors.

 

Rates a solid "Meh" from me.

Tailpipes look like an X5. Zzzzzzzzx. Hate the Macan inspired grille inserts. Yuck. Glad I have been enjoying my 2014 for a year without worries.

 

exaust tips will be different for different models
this is California

 

also, if anyone noticed, I think Porsche removed the "side" markers on the new cayenne and from the pictures above, it changed the location and now has the LED version, and I think the side mirrors get built in turn signal now...

 

Rear cargo door above the numberplate also now looks to be a straight line mimicking the front bonnet. Mixed as to whether this is nice or not. Also seem to have lost the sliver/black trim at the bottom in favour of a more shaped approach.

 

that's right

 

Curious if the engine size decreases will the Cayenne be able to handle PDK across the model range. I was always informed torque and towing issues prevented PDK application. Would not mind a snappier gear change option in my car

 

Nope. It's the stress towing the rated weight puts on the transmission that is the problem.

I agree though, the Tip is kinda unpredictable about if it thinks you really meant to make that change you just requested.

 

http://www.worldcarfans.com/11406057...pied-once-more

Best pics yet in article.

 

http://www.worldcarfans.com/11406037...ly-undisguised

A gray one in this article

 

I really think the original version of 958 looks better than this. Something just doesn't look very well proportion with the h/lights and the front bumper grills don't really suit properly. It looks like they are trying too hard to make it look a bit different but failed.. and the back also looks not right for the car body. I think the face looks cheesy actually.

 

While I'll save my final judgment for when the facelift is actually released, I'm feeling very similar to you. I'm not fond of the sharper headlights and the toothy new front end; it looks like it's grinning at you in a rather surprised way. The hood was very nicely sculpted on the 958.1 but looks flatter and fatter on the 958.2 spy shots. The air strakes in the side intakes are a definite no-no; cheap plastic add-ons look like aftermarket additions that are trying too hard. I actually think the front end of the current Cayenne is a very elegant and highly-resolved design, so I'm wary of how the outcome of the facelift will be.

The back really boils down to how they resolved the taillight design, but I don't like the diffuser [too much black plastic in the back now] and the squarer, blockier design goes against the curvaceous form of Porsches I've grown to love. The only thing I'm liking so far is the elimination of the tailgate opener lip and redesigning it with a crease; looks far cleaner and modern.

On a side note, Porsche is clearly making it impossible to upgrade a pre-facelift car to a facelifted version due to their altered body panels. If anyone wished to upgrade their 958.1 to a 958.2 design, they'd have to change the entire hood, front bumper, headlights, side fenders, exterior mirrors, tailgate door, taillights, rear bumper, rear side panels, rear diffuser and the exhaust system. This will most likely be so mindlessly expensive that the less painful [subjectively speaking, of course] alternative would be to sell off the old car and get an entirely new one. I used to see a lot of 997 owners upgrade their front and rear bumpers/light clusters to the facelift and it looked like a nice update. Not so easy now, is it?

khabah

 

This look appears intentional to spoil the face and back of cayenne to allow the Macan the attention for now. I so love the Macan and wish it was bigger....but of course not to ever look like this. And you are right, now nobody can fix this look up. It is permanently awkward. But don't worry nobody will want to modify their current cayenne to look like this one, so it does not matter to not be able to change the front and back over.

 

I agree with BlocktGrills. The newer Cayennes look more “Mini Van-ish” IMO from the side/rear profile than a sporty SUV. The front of the Cayenne leaves no doubt.

 

Yes it actually does look more of a van now rather than a sporty 4wd.