EDITORS' NOTEBOOK: 2008 Porsche Cayenne Turbo

Read Joe DeMatio's comments on driving the 2008 Porsche Cayenne Turbo.

I have a problem with the key fob of the Cayenne. My colleagues have pointed out that the fob is molded into the shape of the actual vehicle, with two little white plastic headlamps and a forward slope that replicates the windshield. Why, isn't that just the cutest thing?

What is not so cute is the way the flip mechanism works to release the actual key. It's set up to be used by your left hand, rather than your right hand, because of course the ignition is to the left of the steering wheel, in traditional Porsche Le Mans style. I suppose that, as an owner, you would train your left thumb to press the button and release the key so that you could insert it as you climb into the vehicle. The problem for me is that one of my favorite nervous habits is to play with these key fobs and continually release and re-fold the key. To do this for a righthander like myself, you hold the key fob in your right hand, press the button with your thumb, then use your forefinger and thumb to fold the key back down to the side of the fob. And then you repeat the process. And repeat the process. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. I cannot do this with the Cayenne fob, and it drives me crazy!

As for the Cayenne Turbo itself, well, it's crazy fast, it feels much lighter than it actually is, perhaps due to the communicative steering, and it rides pretty hard on its optional 21-inch tires. Might I point out that the pretty 21-inch wheels on our Meteor Grey Metallic test vehicle are a $5,045 option? Might I also point out that the as-tested price for our vehicle was $113,510? Might I also point out that, when you're behind the wheel, you will likely have a very good time and won't care about all the controversy surrounding this vehicle and the argument that it has permanently damaged the Porsche brand image?

More interesting stuff from the Monroney sticker: The EPA Fuel Economy Estimates are 12 city, 19 highway, but then in tiny print it says "Expected range for most drives 9 to 15 mpg." I'll say. With this turbocharged 4.8-liter 500-hp V-8 underfoot, owners ought not be surprised to achieve single digits on a regular basis.