First-gen Porsche Cayenne will get off-road makeovers within the Center East

This yr marks the twentieth anniversary of the automobile that modified Porsche’s fortunes. Three years after the 996-series 911 confirmed simply how low the 911 may go (and this author likes the 996), the Cayenne entered manufacturing in 2002, its money-minting gross sales making certain the 911 may develop into the awesome-in-every-trim sports activities automobile we all know at this time. As a part of the celebrations, the German dwelling workplace requested Porsche Center East and Africa FZE to create a variety of customized Cayenne builds for the Icons of Porsche Fest held in Dubai over the weekend. The area’s two importers within the United Arab Emirates every purchased 4 first-gen Cayennes, that job apparently being the toughest a part of the hassle. Discovering “good situation, comparatively commonplace” Cayennes within the area’s Gulf Cooperation Council spec, in an space of the world that likes to flog an excellent off-roader, took some effort. 

After sourcing eight examples from the 2007 to 2010 mannequin years, the importers put every SUV by way of the identical course of used for Porsche Permitted certification. Then got here the upfit. Naturally, that included fairly just a few raise kits, dirt-focused tires, roof racks, exterior wheel carriers for spares, gentle bars, a rooftop tent, and a few particular liveries. A good bit of the gear got here from Porsche’s rising elements catalog. The automaker’s been pushing outdoorsy Cayenne builds for years now, final yr asserting Porsche Efficiency Components for its used autos, the Tequipment and Porsche Basic divisions creating new parts particularly for off-roading and overlanding. The white #11 Cayenne with the Porsche Tequipment rooftop tent sits on 18-inch powercoated, matte-black Porsche Basic wheels with a laser-engraved Porsche brand. Three of the liveries are retail decal packages: Journey, in Guards Crimson; Rallye, in Ice Race Blue; and Hunt, in Looking Automotive Olive. Porsche Basic can be including extra off-road elements in 2023.

After working the fleet by way of the pink dust of the Hatta area then placing it on show, the rigs will doubtless discover houses in pristine garages. One of many importers stated they purchased a Cayenne from a buyer who requested what the importer deliberate to do with it. The importer stated, “We defined our plans to change and improve it and he stated it seemed like a automobile he would possibly like, so requested if we’d take into account promoting it again to him after the Icons of Porsche occasion is completed.”

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