No, your eyes don’t deceive you – that is an authentic ‘E1’ Porsche Cayenne you see earlier than you.
Whereas we concentrate on new vehicles right here at CarExpert, Porsche Automobiles Australia threw us the keys to this very particular first-generation 2003 Porsche Cayenne Turbo to showcase its Porsche Tequipment equipment vary by Porsche Basic.
Some 22 years in the past, this very car was one of many first Cayenne Turbos to be offered by means of Porsche Centre Melbourne, purchased by a fastidious proprietor who saved it maintained for 16 years at Porsche’s Australian head workplace website.
It was offered privately in 2019 to its second proprietor, additionally a shopper of Porsche Centre Melbourne, who then relocated with the car to Queensland, the place the car continued to be maintained solely at Porsche Centre Brisbane.
Porsche Centre Melbourne was then contracted to create a traditional off-road construct, and this specific car was sought out as a major candidate, specifically due to its full Porsche service historical past and uncommon choices such because the tailgate-mounted spare wheel service.
Porsche Automobiles Australia says a minor restoration of this well-maintained instance was carried out earlier than it was changed into this bush-bashing present automobile, specializing in “the suspension, engine, and different perishable elements to make sure the car’s optimum efficiency”.
Moreover, an 111-point inspection was additionally accomplished. All of this restoration and preparation work was accomplished by the Porsche Basic staff at Porsche Centre Melbourne.
How does the Porsche Cayenne examine?
View an in depth breakdown of the Porsche Cayenne towards equally sized autos.
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Cayenne
How a lot does the Porsche Cayenne value?
Again in 2003, the Porsche Cayenne Turbo was priced at $203,400 earlier than on-road prices, which equates to round $346,321 in at this time’s cash accounting for inflation – not far off the Cayenne Turbo GT’s worth in 2024 ($370,600).
For those who have been seeking to recreate one in every of these builds, in accordance with the classifieds you may get into an authentic Cayenne for as little as $6000-$8000, which frankly is numerous automobile for the cash.
Each the Cayenne and Cayenne Turbo have been powered by V8 petrol engines, which as we’ll get to just a little later makes for a smile-inducing expertise behind the wheel… till you need to head to the petrol station.
Do you have to need the most recent and biggest iteration of the Cayenne Turbo, you may get into the plug-in Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid from $297,600 earlier than on-road prices for the standard SUV physique type, with the Cayenne Coupe Turbo E-Hybrid commanding practically $10,000 extra.
“Hybrid?! Boring!” you could say, however I’d argue a twin-turbo V8 hybrid powertrain outputting a whopping 544kW and 950Nm is hardly snooze-worthy – plus, it’ll scoot from 0-100km/h in a 911-rivalling 3.7 seconds on its strategy to a bahn-storming prime whack of 295km/h.
To see how the (new) Porsche Cayenne traces up towards the competitors, try our comparability software
What’s the Porsche Cayenne like on the within?
It’s actually a step again in time, however this first-gen Cayenne’s inside has held up fairly properly, all issues thought-about.
The 7.0-inch Porsche Basic Communication Plus (inhales…) infotainment unit is an effective way to modernise your outdated Cayenne, not solely aesthetically but additionally with fashionable options like DAB+ digital radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
It blends properly with the unique dashboard structure and retains the everyday Porsche feel and look with the interface. This additionally integrates with the multifunction steering wheel controls and reversing digicam the place relevant.
For the actual purchaser like myself, who likes every part to look factory-spec, this $2924 improve goes an extended strategy to raise the atmosphere and on a regular basis useability of your outdated Cayenne (as much as mannequin yr 2008).
Nonetheless, the mapping perform included on this accent is a third-party system which feels just a little low cost, even when the unique Porsche navigation system would have look dated by comparability. A small grievance, given most will probably be utilizing smartphone mirroring anyway.
Whereas Porsche Automobiles Australia brazenly admits this car has had a ‘minor restoration’, it was good to see most inside parts have stood up properly over the past twenty years – a credit score to the earlier homeowners.
Certain, there have been just a few squeaks right here and there, and at instances among the actions of the switchgear felt like my aching joints, however in the event you didn’t know the way outdated this automobile was you’d be shocked to listen to it’s of 2004 classic.
The leather-based trim on the entrance seats confirmed acceptable ranges of wear and tear and tear, and the trimmings all in good nick.
I additionally just like the instrument cluster, which mixes Porsche’s clear and traditional analogue dials with a digitised central show with a few completely different menus – for 2004, that’s fairly schmick!
The rear seat of this family-sized five-seat SUV is sweet, even in comparison with at this time’s a lot greater ‘massive’ SUVs.
There’s greater than sufficient house for 2 adults behind two adults, and there are facilities like a fold-down centre rear armrest and rear air vents.
Behind the second row is a 540-litre cargo space with the rear seats in use, increasing to 1770 litres with them folded. As you’ll be able to see within the picture beneath, our take a look at car had a boot liner and Maxtrax within the again.
There’s a full-size spare wheel mounted on the tailgate by way of the elective ‘fifth wheel service’. When new, a full-size 19-inch wheel in a rear-mounted service would have value you an entire $4890(!).
| Dimensions | 2004 Porsche Cayenne Turbo |
|---|---|
| Size | 4786mm |
| Width | 1928mm |
| Peak | 1699mm |
| Wheelbase | 2855mm |
| Cargo capability | 540-1770 litres |
To see how the (new) Porsche Cayenne traces up towards the competitors, try our comparability software
What’s beneath the bonnet?
The unique Cayenne Turbo spearheaded the efficiency SUV motion, and boasted some large efficiency claims for the time, together with a 0-100km/h dash time of simply 5.6 seconds and a prime pace of 266km/h!
| Specs | 2004 Porsche Cayenne Turbo |
|---|---|
| Engine | 4.5L V8 twin-turbo petrol |
| Energy | 331kW at 6000rpm |
| Torque | 620Nm at 2250-4750rpm |
| Transmission | 6-speed automated |
| Drive sort | All-wheel drive |
| 0-100km/h (claimed) | 5.6 seconds |
| Weight | 2355kg – kerb |
| Gasoline financial system (claimed) | 15.7L/100km |
| Gasoline tank capability | 100 litres |
| Gasoline requirement | 95 octane premium unleaded |
| CO2 emissions | 378g/km |
| Braked tow capability | 3500kg |
To see how the (new) Porsche Cayenne traces up towards the competitors, try our comparability software
How does the Porsche Cayenne drive?
I drove this particular bush-basher for a few days in between Paul’s filming commitments and, boy, did I’ve some enjoyable in it.
The place most fashionable SUVs – together with the most recent Cayenne – are getting more and more car-like of their dynamic manner, this authentic Cayenne feels extra old-school SUV than up to date crossover.
Couple that large and strong really feel with a rumbly twin-turbo V8 beneath the bonnet, and this Cayenne is a hoot to drive even when it’s just a little bit foolish.
It fires into life with a muted grumble, and retains that beastly vibe even in regular driving. The steering is just a little heavy and also you get a little bit of noise off the all-terrain tyres, nevertheless it appears like a luxurious tank.
Give it a little bit of welly and the powertrain has a little bit of an old-school boosty really feel regardless of having two turbos, and it could possibly take one or two moments earlier than you rocket in direction of the horizon at full noise – and what a noise it makes.
This off-road-ready Cayenne turned out to be just a little slower than its declare, which is comprehensible given the array of equipment fitted. Paul managed a 6.18-second 0-100km/h sprint within the video up prime, which is nonetheless as fast as many sizzling hatches.
Using on elective air suspension, which may be adjusted to go well with the terrain, this specific Cayenne Turbo’s floor clearance was additional elevated by way of the chunkier all-terrain tyres. Along with adjustable experience top, the air springs afforded a reasonably comfy experience each on the town and on the freeway.
That helped so much off the crushed tack, as Paul and I discovered. The added traction from the all-terrain rubber, in addition to the additional clearance and improved method, departure and breakover angles, allowed it to ascend our gravel hill with out a lot fuss, clear the offset moguls with ease and deal with the boulder path with aplomb.
Some could also be shocked by the built-in off-road functionality the unique Cayenne had as customary, because of a low-range switch case and a centre differential lock for the rougher stuff.
Certainly, the first-generation Cayenne and the associated Volkswagen Touareg have been properly regarded for his or her all-terrain skill, even when they weren’t fairly as rugged as a Toyota LandCruiser or Vary Rover.
It virtually doesn’t really feel proper to get a automobile like this soiled and muddy, however there’s one thing satisfying about having the ability to conquer this sort of terrain in an costly German luxurious SUV, and to return residence with a mud-plugged physique as figurative battle scars.
One small downside was that the automobile would throw up an error message concerning the suspension or the 4WD system when scrambling up the gravel hill. Nonetheless, it managed to stand up and would finally kind out the digital messages by itself.
Past the aforementioned off-road {hardware}, the MkI Cayenne was additionally out there with a disconnectable sway bar, however our take a look at car didn’t seem to have this fitted.
Porsche quotes a lofty 273mm of floor clearance with the air suspension in its highest setting, complemented by method and departure angles of 29.1 levels and 25.7 levels respectively – although that is for the usual Cayenne Turbo.
The primary-generation Cayenne Turbo debuted a brand new four-wheel drive system for the Porsche model known as Porsche Traction Administration (PTM), which supplied variable torque distribution that defaulted to a 62:38 entrance/rear break up.
Nonetheless, Porsche claims the Cayenne might feed as much as 100 per cent of torque to the entrance or rear when required. PTM additionally labored at the side of the Porsche Stability Administration (PSM) system, which contains driver aids like ABS, traction and stability management to make sure most grip with out “limiting the joys of sports activities motoring”.
| Off-road dimensions | 2004 Porsche Cayenne Turbo* |
|---|---|
| Observe entrance and rear | 1647mm – entrance 1662mm – rear |
| Floor clearance | 217mm – customary 273mm – most |
| Strategy angle | 29.1 levels |
| Departure angle | 25.7 levels |
| Ramp breakover angle | 20.4 levels |
*Quoted specs are for the usual 2004 Porsche Cayenne Turbo
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What do you get?
Right here’s a rundown of among the Porsche Basic and Porsche Tequipment components and equipment fitted to this Cayenne.
Porsche Roof Tent: $8705 (not pictured)
- 146 x 140 x 33cm – folded
- 258 x 257 x 118cm – unfolded
- 56kg – approx. weight
- 190kg – payload when stationary with rails
- 130km/h max pace with roof tent mounted
Roof Rack and Rails: $519 / $2463
Journey Decal Set: $1359
18-inch Offroad Wheels (4): $3732
Stainless Metal Skid Plate: $885
Engine Guard: $449
Porsche Basic Communication Administration Plus: $2924
- 7.0-inch touchscreen
- DAB+ digital radio
- Apple CarPlay, Android Auto – wired
- Built-in USB interface
PCCM Plus navigation software program for Australia: $422
To see how the (new) Porsche Cayenne traces up towards the competitors, try our comparability software
Is the Porsche Cayenne protected?
No technology of the Porsche Cayenne has acquired an ANCAP security ranking, and solely the latest iteration has been examined by sister agency Euro NCAP.
It’s value noting the first-generation Volkswagen Touareg and Audi Q7 each scored five-star scores once they have been new, although that’s all the best way again within the mid-2000s.
Security requirements on this period of motoring have been just a little completely different to at this time, with issues like autonomous emergency braking and lane-keep help typically extraordinary except you had one thing like a Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
Commonplace security options embody:
- 8 airbags
- ABS
- Parking sensors – entrance, rear
- Stability management
- Traction management
To see how the (new) Porsche Cayenne traces up towards the competitors, try our comparability software
CarExpert’s Tackle the Porsche Cayenne
Whereas at CarExpert we concentrate on ‘new’ vehicles, it’s fairly fascinating to revisit one thing like this first-generation Cayenne to see each how far the nameplate has come and in addition how a car this outdated holds up some 20 years later.
Maybe extra related to the CarExpert viewers is the truth that Porsche is keen to showcase its intensive ‘Basic’ equipment catalogue that helps an array of the model’s older fashions.
Right here within the Cayenne, the infotainment system retrofit brings fashionable multimedia tech which may be a turning level for consumers who need an older automobile however can’t stay with out smartphone mirroring, for instance.
And the real off-road elements be a part of the Cayenne’s present arsenal to broaden its capabilities, and may be fitted by the identical individuals who service your automobile.
Certain, it’s a costlier strategy to do it, as are most retrofit OEM jobs. However, for the discerning Porsche proprietor wanting to carry onto their older car and improve it with out making it a Frankenstein of aftermarket components, it presents a manufacturer-warranted route to do that.
The very fact these first-generation Cayennes are such inexpensive used automobile buys proper now might additionally make a really cool alternative for somebody to construct their very own luxurious bush-basher with manufacturer-backed components.
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