Porsche Cayenne Diesel S

Engine: 4,134cc, twin-turbocharged V8, diesel

Power: 382bhp and 627lb.ft. of torque

Performance: 0-62mph in 5.7 seconds and 156mph

Economy: 34mpg (combined)

CO2 emissions: 218g/km

Price: £58,243

THE FRANKFURT Motor Show saw the unveiling of Porsche’s first supercar since the Carrera GT of 2004 — the 918 Spyder hybrid.

A decade ago Porsche purists may have balked at the prospect of a part electric powered flagship, even if it did deliver in excess of 700bhp.

Back then they were contending with another worrying addition to the range, though...the Cayenne SUV.

Lambasted as a vehicle that broke from the Stuttgart sports car specialist’s core values, it was thought the bruising 4x4 could be a reputation killer.

Last year more than 70,000 Cayenne’s were sold world-wide and it is a vehicle now largely credited with securing Porsche’s long-term financial success.

Now Porsche have added what should be its biggest-selling Cayenne to the range.

Packing a 4.1-litre twin-turbocharged V8, the Cayenne Diesel S (£58,243) delivers 382bhp and a thumping 627lb.ft. of torque, making it good for a 5.7 second sprint to 62mph and 156mph top speed with 34mpg fuel economy and 218g/km CO2 emissions.

Not as clean as the new Range Rover Sport TDV6, but easily quicker.

On first contact a V8 rumble communicates the Diesel S’ potent performance rather than oil-burning efficiency.

Inside there isn’t the plush opulence of the Range Rover Sport or the tactile materials of a BMW X6, but the Panamera-style interior is spacious and stylish.

Out on the road the Cayenne is still the vehicle that puts the ‘Sports’ into SUV.

Though not as agile as lighter, petrol-powered Cayennes, the Diesel S deploys its awe-inspiring torque onto the road with brutal efficiency via an eight-speed automatic gearbox and differentials which send grunt to whichever corner has most grip.

It’s apparent that the power shifts rearward mid-corner, giving a great corner exit. An SUV really shouldn’t be this much fun.

It might not be the outright class of the class...but the Cayenne remains the driver’s choice.

The format might change, but Porsche’s values remain the same.