LOVE it or loathe it the Porsche Cayenne could possibly lay claim to the title 'the most profitable car ever made'.
Why, you might ask, could a vehicle that is beyond the reach of most be declared thus?
In simple terms the Cayenne is the model that sent Porsche into the stratosphere when it came to profits, allowing it to pull off a stealthy takeover of Volkswagen after accumulating the sort of cash most car makers these days can only dream of.
In reality Porsche's success of recent years also owes much to some clever initiatives such as part sharing across its model range but the Cayenne has made a huge contribution.
Although lambasted for its looks when it was launched it has been a soaraway sales success, particularly in emerging car markets where people seem to have money burning a hole in their pocket.
The Cayenne range, with its three models, a standard Cayenne, a souped up S model and an outrageously powerful Turbo would seem to have been more than adequate.
But now there are four, the GTS sitting between the S and the Turbo - more an uprated S than a scaled down Turbo.
The S has always been the commendable all-rounder of the Cayenne range, powerful enough to provide driving thrills without the all-out aggression of the Turbo. It will even cut the mustard off-road too - should you be so inclined.
The GTS may seem surplus to requirements in the Cayenne family but after driving it I can see it makes sense.
Using the same 4.8-litre V8 engine found in the S, Porsche have eked out an additional 25bhp, which doesn't sound like a lot on paper but makes enough of a difference to give the GTS a distinct performance edge over the S. Interestingly fuel economy is not too adversely compromised either.
Other differences include transmission with shorter-legged gearing, which enables swifter acceleration.
Added to this the GTS has been designed more as a road-going SUV, sitting lower than the S with stiffer springs and sports-style seating for two rather than three in the rear.
It shares some of the Turbo's more purposeful design cues too - big air intakes, a rear spoiler and 21 inch wheels.
A basic steel sprung Cayenne is by all accounts a good drive but my test car came with the Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) technology that gives the car improved stability and cuts down on body roll.
It enhances the already car-like handling capabilities of the Cayenne and comes into its own when the car is being driven hard.
This particular version also featured air suspension with self-levelling control. Both these extras will set you back £2,140 and £1,260 respectively but combined boost both driving dynamics and ride quality significantly, certainly enough to make them desirable add-ons.
Sharper than an S and more focused for on-road performance, the GTS should find plenty of fans and at around £20,000 less than the 500bhp Turbo represents a tempting option if you want to be at the wheel of a genuinely sporty SUV.
FAST FACTS
Porsche Cayenne GTS
Price: £54,085
Mechanical: 405bhp, 4,806cc, 8cyl petrol engine driving four wheels via 6spd manual gearbox
Max speed: 157mph
0-62mph: 6.1 secs
Combined mpg: 18.7
Insurance group: 20
CO2 emissions: 361g/km
BiK rating: 35%
Warranty: 2yrs/ unlimited mileage, 3yrs paint, 10yrs anti-rust