2002 PORSCHE Cayenne Turbo (955) 4.5L V8 6AT (450 HP)

Vehicle Overview

As in the 911 range, the Turbo was the top of the line version for the Cayenne. It was introduced at the same time with the rest of the range and it offered Porsche performances in an SUV-form.

It was inconceivable for a Porsche fan to accept an SUV from the famous sports-car manufacturer. But the car was needed. The German brand needed a car to sell in volumes and save them from a foreseeable financial collapse. The Cayenne Turbo managed to satisfy the customers who were looking for a performance vehicle in an SUV shape.

The exterior look was inspired by the 911, with headlights that resembled those installed on the 911 – 996 version. The front bumper was tall and crossed by no less than four grilles, either for the look or to cool the engine. As any SUV on the market, the Cayenne featured a tall greenhouse, which was somehow unusual for the Porsche brand. The Turbo version was designed to be the sportiest version for the medium-sized SUV. In the back, a quad exhaust system was installed and an aluminum shield was seen under the bumper.

Inside, the gear-selector was carried-over from 911. The instrument panel featured two large round dials with a central multi-functional display. A tall center console separated the front passengers. The power-adjustable leather front seats were accompanied by the rear leather bench, which featured a split-backseat to extend the trunk space. The Cayenne S featured a Bose sound system with 14 speakers. A Porsche Communication Management (PCM) infotainment unit with navigation and a backup camera was available.

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.