The Cayenne 955 – Is it now rocking the cool classic vibe ?

We ought to groove to the first-generation Porsche Cayenne, the SUV that rocked the automotive world and it might just be turning into a cool classic. This might be your daddy’s Porsche, but it sure knows how to get funky !

Back in 2002, Porsche dropped a bombshell on the car scene by introducing the Cayenne, their very first SUV. We’re talking about a company that was all about sports cars, suddenly giving birth to a five-seater beast that could handle both city streets and off-road adventures. It was like Porsche went from tango to breakdancing in one swift move. The impact of this audacious leap is still being felt today, and guess what? The first-gen Cayenne is now officially in the Porsche Classic club. It’s getting a fresh makeover, and we can’t wait to see it hit the streets with some serious swagger. The Porsche Cayenne: a gamechanger then, now, and forever!

Now, you might think Porsche was out of its mind for diving into the SUV game, but they’ve actually dabbled in off-road vehicles before. Way back in the 1950s, they built a military ride called the 597 Jagdwagen, which sounds like something James Bond would drive into a secret lair.

Then, in 1978, they sent two souped-up 911 SC Safari rally cars to the East African Safari Rally. These babies had more ground clearance than a giraffe and suspension that could take a beating. But the Cayenne was a whole new level of wild. By the time the first-gen Cayenne’s production run ended in 2010, they had pumped out a whopping 275,000 of these bad boys. Many are still cruising the streets, which makes them perfect for Porsche Classic’s personalization program. Now you can give your Cayenne a style that screams “me!”

Eduard Reichert, the Manager of Product and Quality Management at Porsche Classic, says, “The launch of the Cayenne was very important because it was a high-volume car, and definitely the start of a new period of growth for Porsche.” It was like Porsche’s coming-of-age moment, transitioning from the iconic 911 to a whole new league of vehicles. They proved that they could build a family car, a sporty ride, and an off-roader all in one. It was a revelation!

The fact that so many first-gen Cayennes are still kicking is a testament to their build quality. These things are like the Chuck Norris of SUVs, standing strong even into their third generation. If the Porsche Boxster was the wingman that helped Porsche get the girl, the Cayenne was the one that showed they could dance to any tune, even if that tune was a muddy off-road track.

It also marked the beginning of a beautiful friendship with Volkswagen AG, as they shared knowledge, expertise, and platforms. And let’s not forget, it was the first Porsche to rock a diesel engine in 2009, although it’s gone extinct in the current Cayenne. Plus, it was born in a fancy new production facility in eastern Germany, at Leipzig, which still cranks out Cayennes to this day. So, it’s safe to say the Cayenne has got quite the resume.

Jump to the present, and the first-gen Porsche Cayenne is joining the Porsche Classic family. Big things are in the works for this reborn superstar. Porsche Classic has built two test vehicles based on the OG Cayenne, giving us a taste of the individualization options coming our way. You can choose from three cool decal sets – Hunt, Adventure, and Rallye – designed by Style Porsche.

These give you a sneak peek into how you can jazz up your Cayenne, just like your favourite pair of bell-bottom jeans. “This car has real character,” Eduard says, and they want you to take that character and run with it. Want a roof tent, extra lights, or all-terrain tires? They’ve got you covered. And there’s more in the pipeline, from floor mats to roof baskets. The Cayenne is the canvas, and you’re the artist, ready to paint your own masterpiece.

Porsche Classic is all about keeping it original and funky, not just copying what the aftermarket guys are doing. They’re all about quality and reliability, just like your favourite dance move on the disco floor. Those new decals are just the start of a wild ride for the first-gen Cayenne. Owners’ past, present, and future, get ready for a rebirth of cool – your cars are about to step into an exciting new world, and it’s going to be a groovy one!