Porsche, a majority shareholder in Volkswagen and a recipient of quality Volkswagen auto components such as VW oxygen sensors, has recently denied allegations that it has used the Cayenne V6 exclusivity to boost profits.

The company was very pleased with its basic version of the Cayenne off-roader. Unfortunately, the Volkswagen-powered V6 variant could not be featured at the launch of the updated Cayenne.

The new Cayenne that was recently unveiled to media in northeast Victoria is part of a mid-life update to the large four-wheel drive Cayenne that was first launched in mid-2003. The update that includes some important mechanical and styling details The modifications were not only used on the new Cayenne, but throughout the range.

The model lineup has increased from two to three and now includes the entry-level Cayenne V6 priced at $97,400. It’s the first new Porsche under $100,000 since the last 944 coupe created by the German sports car maker in 1986.

Both the Cayenne Turbo (V8) and the Cayenne S (V8) have larger engines and offer more power, but despite the size of the engine, Porsche claims that these two Cayenne models offer fuel savings of up to 15 percent. Aside from that, styling changes have also been kept to a minimum, enough to freshen up the two-tone SUV’s look and improve its aerodynamic performance.

Last 2004, Cayenne sales reached just 562 but sadly for the four-door Porsche, in 2005 sales plummeted to 414 and dropped even further in 2006 with 332 units sold. But Porsche Cars Australia managing director Michael Winkler is optimistic that the Cayenne’s new look plus the introduction of the V6 engine would ultimately help the range recover.

Winkler also dismisses reports suggesting a Porsche is slower than a fleet Falcon. He said such damaging reports can put the Porsche brand in a bad position. The report that Winkler points to is the report found in enthusiast magazines that claim to have timed a Falcon and a Cayenne, and found that the Falcon can reach 100 km/h in less than 8 seconds, while the Cayenne is claimed to V6 takes 8.5 seconds.

BMW also boasts a 0-100km/h performance time of 8.2 seconds provided by its 3.0-litre X5 engine, which they claim is 0.4 seconds faster than Porsche. Even the diesel X5 is just 0.1 seconds off the Cayenne’s pace.

The Australian media had no way of verifying whether the Cayenne V6 is indeed the fastest car in its class or possesses the level of performance and exclusivity that buyers expect, as the Cayenne V6 was not present at the media launch. Porsche Cars Australia brought six cars to Australia for the launch and none of them were Cayenne V6s, they were all V8 models.

Winkler also denies reports that the Cayenne V6 will share the 3.6-liter V6 engine with a $20,000 cheaper Volkswagen Touareg along with the $84,900 aUDI q7 which wouldn’t help the Cayenne at all. He said “No, I don’t think they knew this. Also remember that our engine is more powerful [by just 7kW] and has been designed to follow the character and performance that Porsche buyers expect.”

Porsche expects the V6 variant to increase Cayenne demand by at least 30 percent. Winkler told drive.com.au in an interview that should demand exceed that target, Porsche would take steps to adjust supply.