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1st Generation Porsche Cayenne (955) - The Story

The Porsche Cayenne SUV came barreling onto the scene in 2002 and it hasn't looked back ever since. Below, we take you through the history, development and the story around the car that saved Porsche.

Porsche Cayenne 955 Model Timelines

Porsche Cayenne 955 (1st Generation) Model Guides

The 955 sold from 2003 until 2007 and includes the Cayenne, Cayenne S, Cayenne Turbo, and Cayenne Turbo S models. The Cayenne Turbo was the top dog in the Cayenne range until the Cayenne Turbo S made an appearance in 2006. Technically there were no 2007 MY cars but they were indeed sold in 2007. Below we take in-depth to better get to know all the variants from that first batch of Cayennes.

Porsche Cayenne Turbo (2002 - 2007)
The first-generation Cayenne Turbo 955 has 450 PS (331 kW), and can accelerate from 0–100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.3 seconds. Under the hood, the Cayenne Turbo was fitted with a turbocharged 4.5-liter V8 unit mated to a standard 6-speed automatic. Thanks to the standard air-suspension, the Turbo version could get up to 28 cm (11”) of ground clearance. The German brand needed a car to sell in volumes and save them from a foreseeable financial collapse. The Cayenne Turbo did just that.
The first-generation Cayenne saw the introduction of the Cayenne S in 2002. While the base Cayenne had a 3.2-L VR6 engine, the Cayenne S got a 4.5 L V8 with more power and torque. The extremely short and compact normal-aspirated V8 produced 340 hp and 310 lb⋅ft of torque. Acceleration for the Cayenne S is strong for an SUV, with 0–60 mph taking 6.9 seconds and the top speed being 150 mph. The Cayenne S also have some visual changes to better identify it, but was otherwise standard Cayenne fair.
The first-generation Cayenne was what saved Porsche. The based Porsche Cayenne 955 entered the market to a mixed reception, although it was the performance vehicle among SUVs and had comparably good handling as well as powerful engines.[3] The lineup initially consisted of the V8-powered Cayenne S and Cayenne Turbo. Later in the model cycle, VR6 and diesel-powered versions joined the lineup. The base model is powered by a VW 3.2-L VR6 engine producing 250 PS (184 kW; 247 hp). The engine is largely the same as the VW engine.
An exclusive limited edition Cayenne GTS “Porsche Design Edition 3”. Limited to just 1,000 units worldwide, the limited edition Cayenne adds equipment and Porsche Design styling touches to stand out from the crowd. Distinguishing the special edition model is a Lava Grey paint scheme, extended roof spoiler, racing stripes, and 21in alloy wheels in a matching anthracite finish. This special edition looks the goods, but sadly there were no mechanical changes to differentiate it from the core GTS.
Porsche made things more interesting with the launch of a Turbo S version in 2006 to compete with the Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG. The Turbo S is powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.5 L V8 that produces 521 PS (383 kW; 514 hp) and 720 N⋅m (530 lb⋅ft) of torque; Acceleration from 0–60 mph (97 km/h) takes 5.0 seconds and the top speed is 171 mph (275 km/h); It features a six-speed automatic Tiptronic transmission.
The Cayenne S Titanium Edition was designed specifically for the U.S. and Canadian markets. Introduced only for 2006 (as a pre-GTS concept), it was a 1 year exclusive, limited production SUV featuring a lightweight steel body, aluminium hood, titanium-painted accented body parts, side lower rocker body panels, Sport-Quad Tip Exhaust chrome tailpipes, 19" titanium painted alloy wheels, bi-xenon headlights, two-tone interior upholstery, Porsche PCM 2.0 w/ trip computer navigation, MP3 audio and Bose cabin surround sound.
Named after the 7200km intercontinental rally which the Cayenne won in 2007, the Porsche Cayenne S Transsyberia Special Edition offers a number of enhancements. It takes the 4.8-liter V8 unit that develops 405bhp and 500Nm of torque from the range topping GTS allowing the model to drop its base 0-60 mph time down by 0.5 seconds to 6.1 seconds. It is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox (automticac optional), with a 4.1:1 drive ratio and air suspension coupled with PASM.

1st Generation Porsche Cayenne (957) - The Story

The Type 957 Porsche Cayenne models came along 2008 Model Year models and sold through to 2010 Model Year. The 957 is essentially a face-lifted 955 that rides on the same chassis, and it includes some mechanical and aesthetic changes. Most importantly, the Porsche 957 also introduced the optional Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) system. PDCC was available as an option on 2008-2010 Cayennes and features hydraulically controlled sway bars that help keep the car flat in the corners on-road and better control off-road. The models were the same, but the 957 Cayenne saw the launch of some tasty new models worth learning about.

Porsche Cayenne 957 Model Timelines

Porsche Cayenne 957 (1st Generation) Model Guides

Look familiar? Porsche gave us all the same models for the refreshed 957 Cayenne lineup, including the amazing Cayenne Turbo, Cayenne Turbo S and the base, plus Cayenne S variants. Where things get more interesting with the refreshed Cayenne is the new models and special editions. The rare (600 sold in USA) Cayenne S Transsyberia is a limited-edition model released in 2010 to commemorate Porsche's participation in the 2007 Transsyberia rally. It got the Cayenne GTS V8 with off-road accessories and a cool paint job. The sporty and more driver focused Cayenne GTS was introduced during the 957 years, with its tweaked suspension tuning, naturally aspirated V8 and design tweaks, it was the pick of the first generation Cayennes. Read on to learn about all the models.

The facelift for the first generation of the Cayenne was introduced in 2007. More powerful in every respect - that is how the new generation of the Porsche Cayenne entered the market. New striking face upfront on a wide and muscular body, with headlights in brand-new design, and with broader, even more powerful-looking wheel arches. The Turbo model 957, featuring a larger 4.8-L engine with 49 hp more power, 0–60 mph time of just 4.9 seconds.
The facelift for the flagship Cayenne came in 2008. The Porsche Cayenne Turbo S is the most powerful Cayenne ever built. Sharing the same essential 4.8-liter V8 engine as the Cayenne S, GTS and Turbo, the Turbo S got 550 horsepower and 553 lb.-ft. of torque. That's a ten percent increase in power and a seven percent boost in torque over the Cayenne Turbo. 0 to 60 mph is over in 4.7 seconds on its way to a track-proven top speed of 174 mph. Like the Cayenne S and Cayenne Turbo, the Turbo S comes standard with a six-speed Tiptronic S driver-shiftable automatic transmission.
The entire Cayenne range got a 2008 facelift. The big changes were cosmetic, with Porsche getting rid of the Porsche 996-inspired headlights and sharpening up the Cayenne S lines. A new, vertical, daytime running light appeared on the outer side of the side-scoops and the center grille was smaller. The Cayenne S started to better develop its own unique personality with the 17” light-alloy wheels fitted as standard. The Cayenne S also got cool exhausts.
The 2008 model year marks the launch of updated Porsche Cayenne. With a striking new face that features a dramatic new headlight design and with a wide and muscular new body accented by broad wheel arches, the 2008 Porsche Cayenne's newly sculpted sheetmetal provides vivid visual testimony to the vehicle's enhanced technical features. Inside, the interior has received an important update with new infotainment unit, new gauges and more.
The Cayenne Cayenne GTS was fitted with a 4.8-liter V8 unit, which developed 405 hp. Unlike the Turbo, it was offered with a 6-speed manual as well, while the Tiptronic S (automatic) 6-speed transmission was on the options list. This was the true enthusiasts SUV and the sweet spot in the Cayenne lineup. It also looked great with the black accents and more agressive touches throughout the exterior.
An exclusive limited edition Cayenne GTS “Porsche Design Edition 3”. Limited to just 1,000 units worldwide, the limited edition Cayenne adds equipment and Porsche Design styling touches to stand out from the crowd. Distinguishing the special edition model is a Lava Grey paint scheme, extended roof spoiler, racing stripes, and 21in alloy wheels in a matching anthracite finish. This special edition looks the goods, but sadly there were no mechanical changes to differentiate it from the core GTS.
The European market asked for a diesel engine and the car-maker had to deliver it to keep the sale up in a struggled market affected by the world financial crisis. The engine was a carry-over from the Audi line-up, with a variable turbocharger system and a 3.0-liter displacement. It offered 240 hp and it was tuned to offer more performance. For instance, at hard accelerations, the system disengaged the AC compressor until the engine reached 2500 rpm.
Named after the 7200km intercontinental rally which the Cayenne won in 2007, the Porsche Cayenne S Transsyberia Special Edition offers a number of enhancements. It takes the 4.8-liter V8 unit that develops 405bhp and 500Nm of torque from the range topping GTS allowing the model to drop its base 0-60 mph time down by 0.5 seconds to 6.1 seconds. It is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox (automticac optional), with a 4.1:1 drive ratio and air suspension coupled with PASM.

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