2003 Porsche Cayenne Turbo with Porsche Tequipment evaluate

No, your eyes don’t deceive you – that is an unique ‘E1’ Porsche Cayenne you see earlier than you.

Whereas we concentrate on new automobiles right here at CarExpert, Porsche Vehicles Australia threw us the keys to this very particular first-generation 2003 Porsche Cayenne Turbo to showcase its Porsche Tequipment equipment vary by Porsche Traditional.

Some 22 years in the past, this very car was one of many first Cayenne Turbos to be bought by Porsche Centre Melbourne, purchased by a fastidious proprietor who saved it maintained for 16 years at Porsche’s Australian head workplace website.

It was bought 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 completely at Porsche Centre Brisbane.

Porsche Centre Melbourne was then contracted to create a traditional off-road construct, and this explicit 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 provider.

Porsche Vehicles Australia says a minor restoration of this well-maintained instance was carried out earlier than it was changed into this bush-bashing present automotive, specializing in “the suspension, engine, and different perishable parts 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 Traditional staff at Porsche Centre Melbourne.

How does the Porsche Cayenne examine?

View an in depth breakdown of the Porsche Cayenne in opposition to equally sized autos.

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How a lot does the Porsche Cayenne price?

Again in 2003, the Porsche Cayenne Turbo was priced at $203,400 earlier than on-road prices, which equates to round $346,321 in as we speak’s cash accounting for inflation – not far off the Cayenne Turbo GT’s value in 2024 ($370,600).

In case you have been seeking to recreate certainly one of these builds, in line with the classifieds you may get into an unique Cayenne for as little as $6000-$8000, which frankly is various automotive for the cash.

Each the Cayenne and Cayenne Turbo have been powered by V8 petrol engines, which as we’ll get to slightly later makes for a smile-inducing expertise behind the wheel… till it’s a must 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 traditional SUV physique type, with the Cayenne Coupe Turbo E-Hybrid commanding almost $10,000 extra.

“Hybrid?! Boring!” it’s possible you’ll 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 method to a bahn-storming high whack of 295km/h.

To see how the (new) Porsche Cayenne strains up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability device

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 nicely, all issues thought-about.

The 7.0-inch Porsche Traditional Communication Plus (inhales…) infotainment unit is an effective way to modernise your previous Cayenne, not solely aesthetically but in addition with trendy options like DAB+ digital radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

It blends properly with the unique dashboard structure and retains the standard Porsche feel and appear 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 all the pieces to look factory-spec, this $2924 improve goes an extended method to carry the atmosphere and on a regular basis useability of your previous Cayenne (as much as mannequin 12 months 2008).

Nevertheless, the mapping perform included on this accent is a third-party system which feels slightly low-cost, even when the unique Porsche navigation system would have look dated by comparability. A small criticism, given most shall be utilizing smartphone mirroring anyway.

Whereas Porsche Vehicles Australia brazenly admits this car has had a ‘minor restoration’, it was good to see most inside parts have stood up nicely over the past twenty years – a credit score to the earlier homeowners.

Certain, there have been a number of squeaks right here and there, and at occasions among the actions of the switchgear felt like my aching joints, however if you happen to didn’t know the way previous this automotive 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 appeared to be 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 as we speak’s a lot larger ‘massive’ SUVs.

There’s greater than sufficient area 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 may see within the picture under, 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 non-obligatory ‘fifth wheel provider’. When new, a full-size 19-inch wheel in a rear-mounted provider would have price you an entire $4890(!).

To see how the (new) Porsche Cayenne strains up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability device

What’s underneath the bonnet?

The unique Cayenne Turbo spearheaded the efficiency SUV motion, and boasted some huge efficiency claims for the time, together with a 0-100km/h dash time of simply 5.6 seconds and a high velocity of 266km/h!

To see how the (new) Porsche Cayenne strains up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability device

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 trendy SUVs – together with the most recent Cayenne – are getting more and more car-like of their dynamic manner, this unique Cayenne feels extra old-school SUV than up to date crossover.

Couple that huge and stable really feel with a rumbly twin-turbo V8 underneath the bonnet, and this Cayenne is a hoot to drive even when it’s slightly bit foolish.

It fires into life with a muted grumble, and retains that beastly vibe even in regular driving. The steering is slightly heavy and also you get a little bit of noise off the all-terrain tyres, but it surely seems 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 the direction of the horizon at full noise – and what a noise it makes.

This off-road-ready Cayenne turned out to be slightly 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 high, which is however as fast as many scorching hatches.

Using on non-obligatory air suspension, which could be adjusted to go well with the terrain, this explicit 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 lots off the overwhelmed tack, as Paul and I came upon. The added traction from the all-terrain rubber, in addition to the additional clearance and improved strategy, 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 normal, due to 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 nicely regarded for his or her all-terrain capability, even when they weren’t fairly as rugged as a Toyota LandCruiser or Vary Rover.

It nearly doesn’t really feel proper to get a automotive like this soiled and muddy, however there’s one thing satisfying about having the ability to conquer this type of terrain in an costly German luxurious SUV, and to return dwelling with a mud-plugged physique as figurative battle scars.

One small downside was that the automotive would throw up an error message in regards to the suspension or the 4WD system when scrambling up the gravel hill. Nonetheless, it managed to stand up and would finally type out the digital messages by itself.

Past the aforementioned off-road {hardware}, the MkI Cayenne was additionally obtainable 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 strategy 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 provided variable torque distribution that defaulted to a 62:38 entrance/rear cut up.

Nevertheless, Porsche claims the Cayenne may 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 includes driver aids like ABS, traction and stability management to make sure most grip with out “limiting the joys of sports activities motoring”.

*Quoted specs are for the usual 2004 Porsche Cayenne Turbo

To see how the (new) Porsche Cayenne strains up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability device

What do you get?

Right here’s a rundown of among the Porsche Traditional 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 velocity 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 Traditional 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 strains up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability device

Is the Porsche Cayenne secure?

No era of the Porsche Cayenne has acquired an ANCAP security ranking, and solely the newest iteration has been examined by sister agency Euro NCAP.

It’s price noting the first-generation Volkswagen Touareg and Audi Q7 each scored five-star rankings once they have been new, although that’s all the way in which again within the mid-2000s.

Security requirements on this period of motoring have been slightly completely different to as we speak, with issues like autonomous emergency braking and lane-keep help typically extraordinary except you had one thing like a Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

Customary security options embrace:

• 8 airbags
• ABS
• Parking sensors – entrance, rear
• Stability management
• Traction management

To see how the (new) Porsche Cayenne strains up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability device

CarExpert’s Tackle the Porsche Cayenne

Whereas at CarExpert we concentrate on ‘new’ automobiles, 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 previous holds up some 20 years later.

Maybe extra related to the CarExpert viewers is the truth that Porsche is prepared to showcase its intensive ‘Traditional’ equipment catalogue that helps an array of the model’s older fashions.

Right here within the Cayenne, the infotainment system retrofit brings trendy multimedia tech which may be a turning level for patrons who need an older automotive however can’t dwell with out smartphone mirroring, for instance.

And the real off-road parts be a part of the Cayenne’s present arsenal to develop its capabilities, and could be fitted by the identical individuals who service your automotive.

Certain, it’s a dearer method 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 actual fact these first-generation Cayennes are such inexpensive used automotive buys proper now may additionally make a really cool alternative for somebody to construct their very own luxurious bush-basher with manufacturer-backed components.

Keen on shopping for a (new) Porsche Cayenne? Get in contact with certainly one of CarExpert’s trusted sellers right here

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