The Icons of Porsche event is the largest car festival in the Middle East region. Porsche fans from all over the world came to Dubai this year to admire rare Porsche sports cars in front of a spectacular backdrop and to exchange ideas with like-minded people. One of the highlights was the elaborate conversion of a Cayenne as part of the Sonderwunsch program.
Breaking new ground is part of the Cayenne’s product philosophy. This also applies to an unusual project: for the first time, Porsche has completely overhauled and extensively individualised a first-generation Cayenne on behalf of a customer as part of the “Factory Re-Commission” Sonderwunsch category.
Porsche Cayenne is an icon
“So far, we have mainly carried out such elaborate Factory Re-Commission projects for classic Porsche or for rarities such as the Carrera GT,” says Alexander Fabig, Vice President Individualisation and Classic at Porsche. “The fact that we have now rebuilt a 16-year-old Cayenne to new car condition and made it an absolutely unique piece shows how diverse the dreams of Porsche enthusiasts are. And it once again underlines the iconic status of the Cayenne.”
The client was Phillip Sarofim, entrepreneur and passionate car collector. The American had turned to Porsche with very specific ideas: “The look of the 911 Spirit 70 made a lasting impression and inspired me. I really wanted such 1970s vibes for my Cayenne as well.”
The basis was a 2009 Cayenne GTS with around 50,000 miles, the equivalent of almost 80,500 kilometers, on the odometer. The only catch: there was none – only a towbar had to be retrofitted. Because a dream trip with the new old Porsche also took shape early on: “From the very beginning, I had the idea of driving through the Rub al-Khali Desert near Dubai,” Sarofim recalls, “with a large Airstream caravan.”
A towbar was retrofitted for the American cult caravan, namely the typical US “receiver system” with square mount. Coarse tyres improve traction and underline the striking look.
To achieve the desired retro look, the exterior is finished in Blackolive, a Paint to Sample color. The lower part of the body as well as the alloy wheels, on the other hand, are finished in matt black, which reinforces the off-road character of the SUV.
In the interior, the extensive leather upholstery in English green (Leather to Sample) meets the iconic Pasha pattern in black/olive. The seat centres, but also the glove compartment inside, are covered with this typical Porsche textile.
Cleverly arranged rectangles of different sizes create a kind of movement in the pattern. The trim strips on the passenger side and in the doors form a noble contrast: just like the door openers and their frames, they are finished in light-brushed aluminium.
So there’s nothing to stop you from riding into the desert any time soon – and with this Factory Re-Commission, the Cayenne has once again proven its versatility and pioneering spirit.