Could the ‘80s icon Knight Rider return, after 20 years, as an SUV? After seeing what TechArt Automobildesign did to Porsche’s Cayenne, we expect this rig to start talking – just like Kitt did.
Could the ‘80s icon Knight Rider return after 20 years as an SUV? After seeing what TechArt Automobildesign did to Porsche’s Cayenne, we expect this rig to start talking – just like Kitt did.
Back in the early days of South African television, audiences – especially young boys – loved “Kitt”, the talking, thinking, fighting black Trans Am that upstaged leading man David Hasselhoff in the TV series Knight Rider. With the TechArt Automobildesign’s extended range of individual tuning developed for the Cayenne, the Porsche SUV could easily be cast in a remake of Knight Rider.
The TechArt performance kit provides extra power as the 4,5-litre V8 is tuned up from the standard 331 kW to a stomping 375 kW. This was done using a recalibrated ECU and a free-flow sport air filter was installed. The throaty V8 is also given more presence with the stainless steel sport exhaust system.
The tuning pushes the Cayenne Turbo to improved performances on the road (not that you’ll see it in action on these roads). Zero to 100 km/h is polished off in 5 seconds, while the maximum speed has been increased to 285 km/h. Maximum torque is now 690 N.m between 2 900 and 4 900 r/min.
Sporty yet elegant design was the idea behind the bodystyling kit. The front spoiler and headlight cluster make this Porsche’s face appear prominently, while the sideskirts make it look lower while at the same time adding length. At the rear, the light cluster and hatch also make the Cayenne look lower and flatter.
The suspension can also be modified using the kit. The standard air suspension gets overhauled and the Cayenne Turbo can be lowered by up to 60 millimetres (for road driving) and raised by 70 millimetres for off-road duty.
The Cayenne’s interior can be customised by the TechArt kit, including accessories for the cabin up to completely individualised full leather trim. Multimedia systems are integrated and TechArt have included 22-inch, five spoke alloy wheels in its package.
