The 2024 Porsche Cayenne is in the final phase of its strict testing regime in preparation for its global premiere this spring, with the automaker showcasing the new SUV's final development prototypes tackling the harshest terrain the world over as its final test.

Porsche introduced the third-generation Cayenne in 2017 and has given it several light updates since. That will continue for 2024, but instead of it being a minor update, it will be a substantial one to continue the model's legacy. Porsche says this upcoming facelift is more than just your standard bumper and exterior light upgrade. "It's one of the most extensive product upgrades in the history of Porsche," said series manager Michael Schatzle.

The German brand realigned the drive portfolio, and the engineers set out to develop a better balance between on-road performance, long-distance comfort, and off-road capability. The engineers made significant revisions to the Cayenne's chassis system. Perhaps the facelifted model will be capable of achieving the same off-road prowess as the first-generation model.

One of the highlights is a new semi-active chassis, but it's not just the driver that will benefit from these upgrades. The driver and passengers will enjoy a new "extensively digitalized display and operating concept."

Porsche's all-new HD-Matrix headlights will also debut on the Cayenne, as we expected. With 32,768 individually controllable pixels per headlight, the HD matrix modules will be the most advanced lighting system available on a series production car.

Because this isn't a bumper redesign, Porsche had to subject the facelifted model to a stricter testing regime. "We're subjecting the new Cayenne to a complete and comprehensive testing program, just as if we'd developed it from scratch," said test manager Ralf Bosch.

In addition to the industry-standard virtual testing, Porsche also subjected the Cayenne to extensive real-life testing, often taking the car above and beyond what any reasonable owner would do. To give you some idea of how stringent the testing is, prototype models had to cover 125,000 miles on country roads and motorways within a few months.

For more extreme tests, Porsche took the Cayenne on a world tour. Tests took place in Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America.

"What we demand from the new Cayenne in tough off-road tests in Spain, on punishing sand dunes in Morocco, or during highly dynamic drives on ice tracks in Finland and on the Nurburgring Nordschleife isn't something we presume many customers will ever do," said Dirk Lersch, who leads the prototype assembly and testing team for the Cayenne. "But anyone who purchases a Porsche should know that it can withstand exceptionally high loads - regardless of the surface being driven on."