As SUV buyers are growing more concerned about their gasoline bill, Porsche is making the second generation Cayenne smaller and lighter. Getting rid of heavy and complex off-road technology means even better on-road performance. Spy shots reveal that the new Cayenne will be much better proportioned and far better looking than its predecessor.

Remaining a 5-seater, the rear seats can be slid back and forth. For more weight saving, the suspension will use more aluminum parts. The 2011 Porsche Cayenne will be equipped with Audi’s supercharged 3.0-liter V-6, producing around 290 hp. Carry-over units from the current Cayenne include a naturally aspirated V-8 that makes 400 hp and a turbocharged V-8 that makes 500 hp. However, these Porsche engines will be replaced in 2012 by a VW-developed 4.0-liter V-8 capable of producing up to 550 hp. With the current 550 hp Cayenne Turbo S capable of accelerating from 0-60 in a scorching 4.4 seconds, it would be interesting to see the performance numbers of a new Cayenne with this kind of power while carrying a few hundred pounds less.