On this score, the Toyota has a significant 445kg weight advantage. But that is offset by the drive systems on the two vehicles. All-wheel drive means the Porsche should launch better than the front wheel- drive Tarago.
The dash to 60ft (18.3m), a guide to initial acceleration, confirmed this. The Porsche got off the line better, hitting 60ft in 2.251sec, compared with 2.314 for the Tarago on its fastest run. The Tarago wasn't helped by the initial wheel-spin as the front wheels struggled to launch it. But by the 330ft (100m)mark,
the Tarago was on top and from then on it was no contest. The Toyota clocked a fastest time of 14.993sec, 
compared with 15.456sec for the Porsche - half a second difference. Terminal speed in the Tarago was 149.61kmh, compared with 141.85kmh for the Porsche.
The seat of the pants impression was that The Tarago's engine just kept on improving the faster we went, while the Porsche's power plant never quite seemed to hit its sweet spot. The Tarago's engine also felt smoother under acceleration. Gearshifts in both cars were impressively smooth. Japan one, Germany nil.
Two possible conclusions could be drawn: either the Cayenne is a very slow Porsche or the Tarago is a very quick people-mover. There's truth in both statements.
Byway of comparison, the Tarago was as quick as a 1985 Brock VK Group A SS Commodore at its peak.
As we headed back to pit lane, the bemused onlookers hesitated for a second, then cheered loudly and encouraged me to light up the tyres on my way back to the start line. I felt obliged to wave back. Next was the Falcon v the Cayenne. On paper, the Cayenne has a big power advantage - 213kW versus 190kW for the Falcon - and an ever-so-slight 2Nm torque advantage.
But the Falcon delivers its maximum power and torque at lower revs and therefore sooner than the Cayenne. Maximum power comes at 5250rm for the Falcon and 6200rpm for the Porsche, while maximum torque comes in at 2500rpm for the Falcon and 3000rpm for the Cayenne.
The Falcon has a huge weight advantage here, more than half a tonne lighter. But the Porsche retains an edge through all-wheel drive, although the rear-drive Falcon should launch better than the front-drive Tarago.
The Falcon's quickest time to 60ft is 2.165, about one-tenth better than the Cayenne. By 330ft, it's three-tenths quicker and its fastest time is 14.593secs , almost a second quicker. Terminal speed was 154.32km/h.
As with the Tarago, the Falcon's wheels spun initially but when they eventually bit the launch feel was impressive.
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Originally Posted by Daz27
the damn roofline is lower than most hatchbacks, i swear. ridiculous
Its a bit of a pisstake ie=sarcastic comparison...
