It is now been 20 years for the reason that arrival of the primary Porsche Cayenne, and whereas purists should deride Porsche’s choice to construct an SUV, the Cayenne’s stellar success bankrolled improvement of a number of Porsche sports activities vehicles and helped turned the model into the powerhouse that it’s right this moment.
The Cayenne is at the moment in its third era, with the unique having made its debut on the 2002 Paris Worldwide Motor Present. Understandably, it proved fairly controversial again then as Porsche’s lineup had solely ever consisted of sports activities vehicles, for those who exclude the tractors it additionally made in its early days.
Nevertheless, the Cayenne quickly proved to be the sportiest of SUVs and in fast time grew to become Porsche’s hottest mannequin. Actually, the Cayenne helped save Porsche from severe monetary hardship.
Within the early Nineties, Porsche was shedding cash. A extra inexpensive sports activities automotive was conceived and finally launched in 1996 because the Boxster. Porsche discovered success with the Boxster however the automaker knew it wanted a 3rd product line, one much less prone to financial downturns than sports activities vehicles, to create a agency footing.
Porsche board members examine a first-generation Cayenne prototype in June 2000
A sedan and even a minivan had been thought-about, however on suggestion of Porsche’s U.S. gross sales group an SUV was determined upon. The brand new product line was first introduced in 1998, although on the time it was recognized solely as Undertaking Colorado. The purpose for engineers was a automobile that was highly effective and dynamic and appropriate for all sorts of terrain.
Moderately than go it alone nevertheless, Porsche teamed up with Volkswagen which developed the primary Touareg alongside the primary Cayenne. Launching an SUV was already fairly the danger, however there was much more stress as Porsche would want a brand new manufacturing web site, too.
The choice was made to construct the brand new plant within the German metropolis of Leipzig, and in August 2002, two years after development began, the plant was able to go. A month later the Cayenne was revealed to the world in Paris.
As we speak, the Cayenne vies with its smaller brother, the Macan, within the gross sales race. Porsche has simply expanded the road to incorporate a coupe-like physique model, and sooner or later we’re prone to see a battery-electric powertrain added.
