Although the sun beat down on Caeser's Café at Portomaso, there was a healthy turnout on June 13 for the launch of the all-new Porsche luxury offroader, the Cayenne.

Sandro Cauchi, general manager of Continental Cars, deputised for company chairman Maurice Mizzi, who was indisposed. Porsche brand manager Robert Calafato said this was Porsche's first venture in the SUV segment. Thanks to its supercar performance, the Cayenne should be called an SSUV.

Two models were shown. The Cayenne S, powered by a 4.5-litre V8, has a peak output of 340 bhp and 420 Nm of torque (pulling power) through a six-speed gearbox. The Cayenne Turbo boosts engine power to 450 bhp and a whopping 620 Nm of torque through a six-speed Tiptronic S.

Space, luxury, the higher seating position and the traditional Porsche traits, including safety, latest technology and the first-ever Bose sound system with surround, are available on the Cayenne. "This is a highly capable offroader, with adaptive air suspension in the turbo model, 20-inch wheels and a choice of alloys.

This is truly an impressive vehicle that will be owned by the very few, only because of its steep entry level price of Lm47,800 for the Cayenne S and Lm77,300 for the Turbo. For the rest of us, get a virtual test drive, 360° views, movies, sounds and more on the Porsche Website www.porsche. co.uk.