ON THE TABLE - JULY 23, 2014

GM's Legal Staff. Editor-in-Chief's Note: An apology is due to the dedicated men and women who work in the GM Legal Staff. It's not their fault that they've been saddled with that Unctuous Prick of a boss - Michael Millikin - and they shouldn't be lumped in with him just because they happen to be working there. So the implication that they should all be removed is grossly unfair. I know GM Legal is rife with real live car enthusiasts and that distinction should be made in the midst of this swirling maelstrom of shit that surrounds the fact that Millikin still has his job. - PMD

(Images courtesy of Porsche/newspressUSA)
The new generation of the Porsche Cayenne will be launched in the fall in four versions here in the United States: Cayenne Diesel (above), Cayenne S, Cayenne Turbo and the world premiere of the Cayenne S E-Hybrid, which is the first plug-in hybrid in the premium SUV segment. Exterior and interior tweaks abound, but the real story is the model lineup (the base V6 Cayenne and the V8-powered S are no longer) and power choices. For instance, the 3.0 liter, turbocharged V6 engine in the Cayenne Diesel produces 240HP at 3,800 to 4,400 rpm and 406 lb.-ft. of torque, from 1,750 to 2,500 rpm. The now entry-level Cayenne Diesel can accelerate from zero to 62 mph in 7.2 seconds, and achieve a top speed of 135 mph.

The new 3.6 liter twin-turbo V6 engine of the Cayenne S - entirely developed at Porsche - develops 420HP at 6,000 rpm – a gain of 20HP, with 406 lb.-ft. of torque available from 1,350 to 4,500 rpm (a gain of 37 lb.-ft.). The previous power density of 83HP per liter engine displacement was increased to 117HP (a gain of around 40 percent). With its standard eight-speed Tiptronic S transmission, the Cayenne S accelerates from zero to 62 mph in 5.2 seconds (5.1 seconds with the optional Sport Chrono package) – 0.4 seconds faster than the previous Cayenne S. The vehicle's top speed is 160 mph.

The Cayenne S E-Hybrid is the first plug-in hybrid in the premium SUV segment. The new model has a lithium-ion traction battery with an energy capacity of 10.8 kWh, which enables pure electric driving. The power of the electric motor is more than doubled over the previous generation, from 47HP to 95HP, resulting in an all-electric top speed of 78 mph. Combined with the 3.0 liter supercharged V6 (333HP), a total system power of 416HP at 5,500 rpm and a total system torque of 435 lb.-ft. from 1,250 to 4,000 rpm is available. Zero to 62 mph is in 5.4 seconds with a top speed of 151 mph. The traction battery can be charged from the electric power grid or while driving. Porsche Car Connect is standard on this vehicle, which allows the driver to pull relevant vehicle data from a smart phone.

The 4.8 liter twin-turbo V8 in the Porsche Cayenne Turbo delivers 520HP at 6,000 rpm, with 553 lb.-ft. of torque from 2,250 to 4,000 rpm. The Cayenne Turbo accelerates from zero to 62 mph in 4.2 seconds (4.1 seconds with the optional Sport Chrono package), with a top speed of 173 mph. The new Porsche Cayenne models will launch in the US market starting November 1, 2014, with the following MSRPs: Cayenne Diesel ($61,700), Cayenne S ($74,100), Cayenne S E-Hybrid ($76,400), Cayenne Turbo ($113,600). MSRPs are excluding destination charges of $995.

Editor-in-Chief's's Note: Our (very brief) "Quick Take" has us in a 2014 Audi RS 7 quattro Tiptronic this week. It would be easy to say that this Audi Hot Rod is spectacular, because, well, it is. Not a half-mile down the road in this genuine supercar and it's hard not to be amazed, because it is simply a magnificent machine. Bristling with all of the usual Audi attention to detail and executional goodness, the RS 7 combines that with a bad-ass attitude that can be dialed-up in instantaneous fashion with your right foot, yet this machine will trundle along acting like a typical performance-oriented luxury car and do so quite nicely, with a relatively compliant ride that's totally unexpected, it's that good. But who's kidding whom? You buy this machine because you're into serious performance, and the RS 7 delivers that with fantastic bursts of acceleration, razor-crisp steering, supremely confident brakes and a level of cat-quick agility that belies its 4,500 lb. curb weight. Whereas last week's Audi S8 felt a little sluggish around town at a similar weight, the RS 7 felt easily 1,000 lbs. lighter. Yes, the 21" wheels would be like playing Russian Roulete around here due to the horrendously damaged roads we have to deal with everyday, but with the RS 7 you start to think it may be worth it to have to replace a rim or two over the duration of ownership, the driving experience is so enthralling. I would be hard-pressed to choose the Porsche Panamera Turbo (the RS 7's logical competitor on paper) over this machine, because the Porsche doesn't look nearly as nice and it costs a good $30,000 more than the RS 7 comparably equipped. I would say that it's no contest, in fact. If you're looking for a serious high-performance machine that has a modicum of roominess and usability, the Audi RS 7 is the most seductive combination of high-performance, luxury and everyday versatility that money can buy. - PMD

2014 Audi RS 7 quattro Tiptronic: $117,885 ($104,900 Base Price; Suzuka Gray Metallic, $500; Black Interior; 4.0-liter TFSI V8 with 560HP and 516 lbs-ft of torque; quattro all-wheel drive system with sports rear differential; Eight-speed Tiptronic transmission; 9" x 20" 7-Twin-spoke RS-design wheels with 275/35 summer performance tires; Electronic Stability Control with sport mode; Anti-lock brakes with ventilated disc brakes front and rear; Electromechanical vehicle speed-sensitive power steering; Power glass sunroof; Power tailgate; Full LED headlights (DRLs, low/high beams, turn signals); Auto dimming and power-folding heated exterior mirrors; Twelve-way power adjustable front sport seats with heating and driver memory; Four-zone automatic climate control; Audi advanced key (keyless entry and ignition); Audi MMI navigation plus with MMI touch; Bose Surround Sound System; Audi connect with six-month subscription; SIRIUS Satellite radio with three-month complimentary subscription; Audi music interface with iPod cable; Power adjustable tilting & telescoping steering column; 3-spoke, sport perforated leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel with contrast stitching and shift paddles with RS 7 emblem; RS-specific shift knob and interior door handles; RS-specific Carbon fiber inlays, Optional layered Aluminum/Black wood decorative inlays; Black-faced instrument gauges with white scales and red needles; Aluminum pedals and footrest; Garage door opener (Homelink); Preparation for mobile phone (Bluetooth); Audi parking system plus with rearview camera; RS 7 Dynamic Package, $5,500; Driver Assistance Package - Audi active lane assist, Audi pre sense plus, Audi adaptive cruise control with stop and go, Audi active lane assist, Corner view camera - $2,800; 21" 5-spoke Blade-design wheels with gloss black finish and summer performance tires, $1,000; Matte Aluminum Optic Package - Lower air intakes in matte alu-optic, "quattro" script in lower front grille, Diffuser trim in alu-optic - $950; Power soft-closing doors, $500; Cold Weather Package - heated steering wheel & rear seats, supercedes RS 7 wheel and shift knob - $500; Media cable package, $295; Audi first aid kit, $45; Front filler panel, included; Destination charge, $895)

Adherence to Brand Image: The Audi RS 7 is everything Audi represents to a growing legion of enthusiasts. It looks beautiful, it's wonderfully turned-out, and it's ultra-quick. This RS 7 represents Audi hitting on all cylinders, even more so than with its vaunted mid-engined R8 sports car. If there is anything approaching the reality of an everyday supercar, the Audi RS 7 nails it. Adherence to Brand Image? Dead. Solid. Perfect.