Gemballa Tornado 750 GTS from Porsche Cayenne

The Porsche Cayenne is among the most common SUVs on UAE roads today. The people who buy them think they are buying exclusivity, but instead they end up having the same goofy-faced truck as their neighbours. So German outfit Gemballa, known for tuning Porsches, have unveiled their latest cure for the common Cayenne, in the form of the Tornado 750 GTS.

The company says that there is only a little connection left between the Gemballa Tornado 750 GTS and the Porsche Cayenne Turbo, on which it is based. Traditionally a tuner of sports cars, Gemballa had to face the reality that Porsche is a diluted brand nowadays, and were faced with tuning yet another SUV from the manufacturer that provided the base for most of their track-tuned vehicles.

In order to meet the sports car’s increased requirements in terms of light construction and torsional stiffness, Gemballa optimised nearly the entire auto body, and seems to have done away with anything resembling off-road equipment, since most Cayenne owners didn’t care anyway. Lightweight carbon-fibre is mainly used. A front apron extended by 60 mm with an integrated aero lip generates more downthrust at the front axle. Extensive air inlets suck in additional fresh air for the engine, oil cooler and air intercooler, and an air duct system even cools the front brakes. On the other hand, the engine heat is effectively diverted by air ducts in the redesigned bonnet. Unlike a stock Cayenne, the Tornado’s bonnet now opens forward. Addtional extensions along the sides make space for the wider rims, although the side vents may not be functional. The rear skirt has been extended by 40 mm and for additional downthrust, a race diffuser has been added. A rear spoiler with carbon flaps completes the aerodynamic overall package. Even with all this, the Tornado is actually lighter than the Cayenne Turbo by 250 kg.

Other changes include new circular tail lamps, an optimised exhaust system with unique outlets, and a heavily-modified engine.

The turbocharged 5.0-litre V8 engine offers up 750 hp at 6400 rpm and maximum torque of 1050 Nm at 3200 rpm. The four-wheel-drive accelerates from zero to 100 kph in 4.3 seconds and has a top speed over 300 kph.

The TORNADO was equipped with an adjustable coilover kit. This allows lowering the car by up to 70 mm. The multi-part lightweight GT SPORT forged 22-inch wheels come with 335/25 Z 22 tyres.

The high-performance braking system with the drilled and slotted XXL discs use 6-piston brake calipers with 420 mm discs at the front axle and 4-piston brake calipers with 380 mm discs at the rear axle.

The heavily-revised interior has four racing seats, a new front centre-console with the lifted gearbox, rear seat entertainment, and a screen-based Data Control System. The cosier interior can be trimmed in high-quality leather, carbon-fibre, aluminium and alcantara.

The GEMBALLA TORNADO GTS in a limited edition of 50 cars, priced from Dhs 2 million onwards, which means it has to be special-ordered straight from Germany. A few may reach the streets of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, but at that price, it will never be a common sight.