What A Professional Racing Driver Thinks About The Latest Porsche Cayenne

TATLER FOCUS Andrew Tang went from amateur go-kart racer to professional racing driver thanks to the support of his father Tang Siu Kan. Here, the duo talks about their passion for cars from behind the wheel of the latest Porsche Cayenne

Andrew Tang was only three years old when he developed a fondness for cars, after his businessman father Tang Siu Kan bought him his first remote-control vehicle. The car became a constant companion, and Andrew would zip it around the house whenever he got the chance. This early zest for speed didn’t go unnoticed by his father, who saw how competent his toddler was in controlling the car and navigating it safely around obstacles.

A few years later, this budding interest eventually became a full-blown passion when Siu Kan introduced Andrew to karting. The youngster started taking part in karting competitions and at age eight, he scored his first win. At 16, the Generation T lister made the difficult decision to move to Europe alone to join the young driver development programme of a British Formula One team, a stint that would greatly shape him to become the racing driver he is today.

Above Andrew Tang with the new Porsche Cayenne, which features a 3.0L, 340hp V6 turbo engine that propel the car from 0 to 100km/h in 6.2sec

Andrew scored big again in 2015 when he was picked from more than 100 applicants to be a Porsche China Junior driver and raced in the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia for two years. The 23-year‑old’s racing career continues to flourish just as the bond with his father grows stronger. Recently, the duo took time off their busy schedules to indulge in their shared love for cars and test-drive the new Porsche Cayenne.

The luxury sports utility vehicle (SUV) proved to fit both their driving preferences—Andrew’s need for speed and Siu Kan’s desire for a smooth, comfortable ride. “I can feel that the Cayenne’s 3.0L, V6 turbo engine is really powerful,” said Andrew as he skilfully navigated the SUV through morning traffic on the highway. “Its torque delivery is also strong, and its braking and steering responsive, which clearly comes from Porsche’s motorsport knowledge.”

Porsche’s road cars are known to take notes from its race cars, so for the Cayenne, this translates into having a dynamic, lightweight chassis that results in a nimble SUV that produces 340hp and a top speed of 245km/h. It also delivers great handling despite its size and weight.

Above Through a casual go-kart outing with his father, Siu Kan, Andrew developed a strong passion for cars and began racing go-karts competitively at age 8

“The Cayenne’s 3.0L, V6 turbo engine is really powerful. Its torque delivery is also strong, and its braking and steering responsive, which clearly comes from Porsche’s motorsport knowledge”

While agile, the Cayenne is also confidently stable at high speeds. This is enhanced by an adaptive roof spoiler in the Cayenne Turbo, which is the first SUV in its segment to have the feature. The spoiler optimises the flow of air over the car and comes with five different positions. It tilts at different degrees, depending on the car’s speed, in favour of increasing the stabilising force on the rear axle. The spoiler can also work as an air brake, which places pressure on the rear axle to boost the car’s stability as the driver brakes at high speeds.

This innovation aligns itself with Porsche’s top-notch safety requirements, which Andrew commended. “From my experience with Porsche’s race cars, I know that the marque has very high safety standards,” he said. “It only uses the strongest materials to build its cars. Thus with the Cayenne, I don’t feel nervous at all even though I’m driving through heavy rain like today.”

Like its siblings, the latest-generation Cayenne also looks the part, boasting a sportier appearance than its peers. It also bears distinctive new exteriors, most notably, a bold lighting strip with a three‑dimensional Porsche logo at the rear connecting its taillights. “I like the new look of the latest Cayenne, which is decidedly sharper and fiercer than that of the car’s predecessor,” enthused Siu Kan. The recognisable rear light design is similarly spotted on the latest Porsche Panamera.

Above The top-ranging Cayenne Turbo is powered by a 550hp V8 bi-turbo engine and is the first luxury SUV to be equipped with an adaptive roof spoiler, which increases the car's stability at high speeds. Photo: Porsche

Inside, the sporty design language continues, but is melded with ergonomic and luxurious elements such as plush partial-leather seats, a multifunction sports steering wheel, and a sleek display and control set-up that is anchored by a 12.3-inch Porsche Communication Management touchscreen display.

The cabin is also generously sized with abundant leg and head room, and a noticeable “low-noise level that adds to the comfort and joy of driving the car in a crowded city like Singapore”, said Andrew. The Cayenne also features thermally insulated glass all-round, which keeps the cabin relatively cool at all times. As an option, owners can opt for the thermally and noise insulated laminated glass, which minimises the entry of harmful UV rays and external noise into the cabin.

The versatility of the Cayenne speaks to both Andrew and Siu Kan. An embodiment of sporty luxury with a dash of family‑friendliness, “the Cayenne is perfect for individuals who want to be able to drive fast, but also feel safe when the family is on board”, said Siu Kan. “I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a luxury SUV that drives as beautifully as it looks.”

Creative Direction: Matilda Au
Photography: Darren Gabriel Leow, assisted by Darren Chan
Grooming: Angel Gwee, using Kevin.Murphy and Laneige

Topics

porsche cayenne andrew tang racing cars

Tatler Asia

What A Professional Racing Driver Thinks About The Latest Porsche Cayenne