TechArt cut its teeth in the tuning world developing programs for Porsche models. Now it has a new one for the Cayenne Turbo, and it’s even partnered with high-end furniture maker Rolf Benz to develop the program. Exterior, interior, and drivetrain upgrades are all part of the menu, though there’s a good chance that all anybody’s going to be talking about is Rolf Benz’s involvement in the program.

Exterior

The Porsche Cayenne is one of those SUVs that don’t need physical upgrades. But good can always be better, which is why TechArt installed a load of aerodynamic pieces on the Cayenne. There’s a new carbon fiber hood, too, one with air inlets that provide venues for the air to come in out of the engine.

Over at the back, a second spoiler now sits on the tailgate. It’s hard to miss that massive rear diffuser, too, since it’s flan led by titanium quad exhaust tips finished in carbon fiber.

A new set of TechArt’s 22-inch Formula V wheels that come with their own multi-spoke design is also available with the program.

It’s still the Porsche Cayenne Turbo for the most part. But it’s hard to deny that the exterior upgrades give it a more visceral appearance.

Interior

Buckle up, folks. The interior of the Porsche Cayenne is where it gets, well, interesting. Rolf Benz’s involvement in this program is found in the interior where the cushiony excitement awaits all of us.

The Cayenne’s seats, in particular, use the peculiar material in a way that’s supposed to reflect one of Rolf Benz’s signature products: the 641 armchair that's defined by its loose and baggy upholstery. It’s supposedly a great product in it of its own, but things take a turn for the curious with how its application on the Cayenne’s seats turned out. There’s a certain style to it, sure, but it’s difficult not to be reminded of those old, wrinkly New York City cabs that have redefined the meaning of “loose upholstery.”

It’s hard enough, as well, to clean fancy leather upholstery, let alone one with enough folds and “stylish” wrinkles to trap dust and wayward potato chip crumbs. To be fair, TechArt claims that Rolf Benz’s upholstery is breathable and dirt-resistant so there is come comfort taken from those descriptions. Take the tuner at its word, and you’ll probably enjoy the unusual upholstery.

Likewise, the coarse-weave fabric on the dashboard and door panels are sophisticated alternatives to the standard configuration. Then there are what the tuner describes as “exquisite floor mats.” Those aren’t the highlights of the interior, but you’d rather have them than the “regular floor mats,” wouldn’t you?

Drivetrain

It takes something truly memorable to divert attention away from TechArt’s engine upgrade program for the Porsche Cayenne Turbo. Whatever you may feel about what Rolf Benz did to the SUV’s interior, you can’t deny that it usurped the engine upgrade program as the showcase piece of TechArt’s entire tuning program for the Cayenne Turbo.

Fortunately, the engine upgrade program can also hold its own, thanks in large part to the German tuner’s TechTronic engine mapping. It is a software upgrade so don’t expect an entire stable of horses coming in to turn the Cayenne into an 800-horsepower unicorn. Do some mental gymnastics and that adds up to an extra 91 ponies and 106 pound-feet of twist, enough to propel the Cayenne Turbo from parked to 62 mph in just 3.7 seconds on its way to a top speed of 186 mph.

TechArt’s not going to puff its chest with the results of its engine mapping for the Cayenne’s twin-turbo V-8 engine. It probably doesn’t need to, though, because the Cayenne Turbo’s new output is going to make sure that message is heard. If you want people to know what 631 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque sounds like, a valve-controlled exhaust is exactly what the doctor ordered.

Conclusion

You know this program is top-shelf quality simply because it comes from TechArt. The German tuner is one of the best in the business at developing aftermarket programs for Porsche models. That’s a fact.

I’m not going to criticize the Benz for his contribution to the program because there is some appeal to his involvement. But the interior is an acquired taste, and I’m not sure how long it’s going to take before my tastes are, well, “acquired.” The interior treatment isn’t for everyone, which is fine. Some people will like it, and some will hate it. But at the end of the day, TechArt achieved its goal of developing a program that has a lot of personality. You might not like what comes out if, but it’s a much better reaction than complete indifference.

Further reading

Read our in-depth review of the 2018 Porsche Cayenne!