WHEN Porsche launched a diesel version of the Cayenne SUV it seemed somewhat reluctant to shout about it too much.
Diesel was perhaps a dirty word for a company like Porsche, which has built an enviable reputation for its highly desirable petrol-powered sports cars.
Yet at the same time it made perfect sense. In the UK at least not many people buy petrol-powered SUVs, so delivering a diesel Cayenne was something of a necessity.
Nonetheless Porsche seemed proud of the fact there was nothing on the car to indicate it was diesel-powered.
Perhaps the prestige car-maker was nervous about the reaction of petrol purists, though interestingly since then diesel members of the family seem to have been more enthusiastically embraced.
Now there's also a diesel-powered Panamera and both it and the Cayenne display their engine credentials with pride - via lettering positioned prominently on the front wings.
In the Cayenne range the diesel was always something of a sensible choice. It's 3.0-litre Audi sourced engine was smooth, potent and refined. It was sufficiently sporty, though it also paled in performance terms compared to more sought-after petrol-powered siblings like the S, GTS and Turbo.
Somewhere along the way Porsche decided what was sorely needed was a diesel with a little bit more punch.
It was certainly an inspired decision as the S Diesel is a perfect fit for the range.
Far from being just a tuned version of the regular diesel with a suitable power hike it features an all-new 4.2-litre twin-turbo V8 engine under the bonnet delivering 382bhp.
Again it's an Audi unit, but one that has been modified extensively by Porsche's engineers to maximise performance.
It feels perfectly at home in the Cayenne and crucially it even manages to sound very like a gutsy petrol engine, no doubt as a result of a fair measure of work to deliver a sweet engine note.
While detractors lambasted the original Cayenne it transformed Porsche's fortunes and brought immense profits and with the smaller Macan on the way the Porsche SUV revolution is likely to continue.
The second generation Cayenne certainly looks a little more aesthetically pleasing than the original, characterised by curvy design lines rather than a boxy profile.
Crucially it's more Porsche-like - the front end in particular standing out with its familiar looking nose.
Given the SUV acronym includes the word 'sports' in it one can't help but feel there aren't many SUVs that live up to the that sports tag.
The Cayenne is certainly one of them though and even in basic petrol or diesel guise it has enough sporting character to deliver.
But there's no doubting this car takes things to a new level as far as diesel power is concerned.
One would expect a 4.2-litre diesel to deliver when it comes to performance but its sheer pace really does have to be experienced to be believed.
Standard mode is swift and suitably lively but driver thrills are maximised by engaging the sport mode. Put your foot down on a clear road and you'll experience the kind of pace that feels almost alien in the world of diesel propulsion.
Acceleration is instantaneous and with 627lb/ft of torque there are few cars that can top it other than a smattering of supercars and the like. This impressive on-paper figure translates into immense pulling power in the real world - delivered seamlessly and smoothly right through the range.
With all that power at one's disposal handling has to be up to the mark too and despite its considerable weight and bulk it manages to live up to those lofty sportscar-like handling claims, reinforced by a reassuring amount of grip.
This car was fitted with the optional air suspension with self-levelling ride height and Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) system.
At almost £2,500 it's a reasonably hefty additional outlay, but one which brings a lot of benefits.
The differences between the standard, sports and comfort modes are marked. Comfort mode is great for motorway cruising and soaking up unwanted lumps and bumps, while standard mode seems perfectly balanced for everyday around town motoring.
But the sports suspension setting with the car's engine management sport mode also engaged is a real match made in heaven with everything suitably firmed up and the car assuming an added and exciting edge.
On the inside the latest Cayenne is a step-up from its predecessor with more cabin space and the classy cockpit-style centre console and array of instrumentation that first appeared in the Panamera.