It pursues the thrill of driving while keeping safety a high priority. Which Porsche model, you ask? It’s the new 2008 Porsche Cayenne. In addition to those qualities, it also offers convenience and technology for an all-around vehicle.

The ‘08 Cayenne is equipped with Porsche Stability Management, which helps the driver keep better control, and grip on the road even in bad conditions as traction is improved. If the system senses the vehicle is over or understeering, it can correct the car by adjusting brake pressure on individual wheels, to get it back on its intended course.

Standard safety features in this model include full-sized airbags for front occupants, side-impact protection and roof-mounted curtain bags for head protection. There’s also a weight sensor that avoids unnecessary deployment, by turning the airbag off it senses a passenger is not present.

With the look of a family-style vehicle, the Cayenne has surprising performance capabilities. Its 6-cylinder engine produces 290-horse power and uses all-wheel drive and the 6-speed manual transmission comes standard, and Tiptronic S is available. That option lets the driver shift between automatic and standard modes, letting the style belong to the person behind the wheel.

Front and Rear Park Assist uses additional views using a camera to show the driver objects that might otherwise be unseen, helping to maneuver the car in tight spaces. If the system, which uses 12 sensors at the front and rear, detects objects drawing close to the vehicle, an acoustic warning is used to alert the driver.

The new 2008 Cayenne from Porsche is a vehicle that combines safety, technology and reliability, making it a very attractive model for this year’s buyer.