APPARENTLY, there are some people who think the Porsche Cayenne isn't dynamic enough.

This big SUV model from the German sports car maker is arguably the best-handling sport-utility vehicle in its class. It's like the 911 of SUVs - fast, practical and more understated than the rest.

Yet some of its customers think there is still room for improvement - even when the flagship model, the Cayenne Turbo, appears especially brutal on paper - 500 horses and just 5.6 seconds from zero to 100 kmh for something the size of a terraced house.

Enter the Cayenne GTS. It is based on the Cayenne S and in terms of price and positioning it slots neatly in between the Cayenne S and the Cayenne Turbo. But despite having a smaller engine than the Turbo, the GTS was conceived to produce more driver appeal. As Porsche engineers say, the most powerful engine does not the most dynamic model make.

The GTS has the same normally aspirated 4.8-litre V8 engine as the S but there are a couple of differences. One is that the engine has an extra 20 hp to bring it to a maximum 405 hp. Torque remains the same at 500 Newton-metres.

Another difference is that the GTS has a shorter final drive than the S. What this essentially does is it allows the revs to climb faster, resulting in the GTS feeling a lot more responsive. Blip the gas pedal and it springs forward quickly. Press the 'Sports' button on the lower centre console and it's even quicker, with the aural accompaniment of a deeper exhaust rumble.

This Sports button is standard on the GTS and features two settings. In normal mode, it provides optimum fuel efficiency. In sport setting, the engine and transmission, as well as the control map of the accelerator, are modified for almost instantaneous response and a much harder edge.

With these two improvements, the GTS sprints to 100 kmh in 6.5 seconds, compared to 6.8 seconds for the S.

The GTS also sports firmer springs and a lower ride height compared to the S. The whole car has been lowered by 24 mm and rides on massive 21-inch alloy wheels. For the GTS with the optional air suspension, the ride height is 20 mm lower.

But the downside is that the ride can be harsh on rough roads. Driving fast on irregular surfaces will cause plenty of head shaking. Since the GTS was conceived primarily for the hardcore enthusiast, this is unlikely to be a concern.

Lowering the GTS has improved its centre of gravity but it still remains a tall SUV - 1.675 metres high to be exact. On the road, however, it seems almost coupe-like. The GTS exhibits barely any body roll around fast curves and the sensation is akin to driving a 911 Carrera but while seated higher (like somewhere on the roof).

The steering wheel is accurate. It provides ample feedback and feels as sharp as a PlayStation game. The quick steering ratio also means you rarely have to take your hands off the wheel - a boon when going fast into S-bends or roundabouts. In fact, the GTS is so nimble that you can hardly tell it tips the scales at over 2.2 tonnes.

On cars fitted with air suspension, there is a must-have option which will ratchet up driving pleasure by another notch - PDCC, or Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control. This anti-roll stability system with active anti-roll bars restricts the Cayenne's body movement in bends and allows it to corner flatter and faster.

PDCC was introduced when this second-generation Cayenne was launched earlier this year but in the GTS the system is tuned for higher pressure than in the V6, V8 S and Turbo models.

But Porsche built in a limit to the effect - the anti-roll forces only work up to 0.65g because beyond that, it wants the driver to know just how hard he is pushing his GTS and how fast he's going.

As with all Cayenne models, the GTS has permanent all-wheel-drive. Under normal circumstances, the power distribution to the front/rear wheels is 38:62 but this varies according to driving conditions. Despite its sporting credentials, the GTS is a bona fide offroad vehicle capable of crossing rough terrain and water hazards.

So this big and fast SUV can also climb mountains. But it is unlikely that many owners would want to do so. Not because they don't head for the hills but because the GTS does what it does so well on the road, there won't be any time to take it off the road.

Porsche Cayenne GTS
Engine: 4,806cc V8
Gearbox: 6-speed Tiptronic S transmission
Max power: 405 hp @ 6,500 rpm
Max torque: 500 Nm @ 3,500 rpm
0-100 kmh: 6.5 secs
Top speed: 251 kmh
Price: from $348,888 (with COE)
Distributor: Stuttgart Auto, tel 6363-0911