PORSCHE is recognising the importance of the fast-expanding Chinese market to its business by giving the new Cayenne GTS model its world premiere at this month's Beijing Motor Show.

The GTS, which goes on sale in the UK in July priced from £67,147, boasts a more powerful 420bhp engine than the current Cayenne S V8 model.

It also has increased dynamic power development and a tauter chassis with 24mm lower ride height and Porsche Active Suspension Management as standard.

China represents the fastest growing export market for Porsche and is the second largest after the USA and ahead of the domestic German market.

The sports car manufacturer sold more than 24,000 vehicles in China last year, the most popular Porsche model being the Cayenne as more SUVs were supplied to customers there than in any other country in the world.

China is also now the world's largest market for the Panamera, and the second largest single market for the mid-engined Boxster and Cayman sports cars.

Porsche is also building an exclusive customer testing facility at the Shanghai International Circuit, which has staged the Chinese F1 Grand Prix since 2004.