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Porsche Cayenne (1st Generation) - The Ultimate Guide

Porsche Cayenne (955/957) (2003 - 2010)

955 Story / 955 Timeline / 955 Model Guides / 957 Story / 957 Timeline / 957 Model Guides / Misc Data / News

Porsche Cayenne (1st Generation) Basics

  • Type: 955 & 957

  • Generation & Chassis: First Generation (9PA) Chassis E1

  • Manufacturer: Porsche AG

  • Production Years: 2002 - 2010

  • Model Years: 2003 - 2010

  • Body Style: 5-Door SUV

  • Layout: Front-engine, AWD

  • Engines: 3.2 L VR6, 3.6 L VR6, 4.5 L V8 (S), 4.5 L TT V8 (Turbo/Turbo S), 4.8 L V8 (S/GTS), 4.8 L TT V8 (Turbo/Turbo S), 3.0 L turbodiesel V6

  • Transmission: 6-speed Auto (2 versions)

  • Unveil of official photos: Mar 4 2002

  • Premiere: Sept 25 2002 at Paris Motor Show press day

  • Market launch: December 2002

The Cayenne came along at a time when the Porsche company had some real financial troubles. They had a bunch of sports cars in the lineup that weren't selling particularly well and were not mainstream focused in any way. It was the yuppy brand that built expensive sports cars. Porsche needed something mainstream and nothing was more mainstream in the early 2000s like an SUV. Welcome to the world Mr Porsche Cayenne in 2002. Make no mistake, this SUV saved the sports-car company and set it on a financial course that made it the most profitable car company in the world.

The Cayenne was not without controversy. 911 fans balked at the idea of a heavy SUV from Porsche and many predicted it would be a failure. "How could Porsche do this to us? How could Porsche launch a family SUV with the Porsche logo on it?" All of this before they learned that the Porsche Cayenne would in fact share its platform with a Volkswagen (Volkswagen Group PL71 chassis, which it shares with the VW Touareg and Audi Q7). Fast forward a few years and the first generation Cayenne became the best selling Porsche of all times and stayed that way until the end of its production.

The first generation of Cayenne is really two sub-generations. They are known as the Cayenne 955 and the Cayenne 957. The Cayenne 955 was the original launch Cayenne and sold from 2002 until 2007. Models included the base Cayenne, Cayenne S, Cayenne Turbo, and Cayenne Turbo S models. While there was officially no 2007 model year Cayenne in the United States, you could find them in dealers. On the brink of the global recession in 2007, Porsche launched the 2008 Cayenne model, updated and refreshed and known at the Cayenne 957.

The Cayenne 957 covers all Cayennes sold from 2008 to 2010 model years, and includes those same previous models and introduced the Cayenne GTS and the limited edition Cayenne S Transsyberia and GTS Porsche Design Edition 3 as well as the introduction of a Cayenne Diesel. The 957 was not a big update, consisting mainly of a mild facelift and some better technologies and interior design.

1st Generation Porsche Cayenne (955) - The Story

The Porsche Cayenne SUV came barreling onto the scene in 2002 and it hasn't looked back ever since. Below, we take you through the history, development and the story around the car that saved Porsche.

Porsche Cayenne 955 Model & Details

This graphic breaks out the very first generation of Porsche Cayenne (Type) 955 in terms of timelines and how to tell all the models apart. Click on the image to see it in higher definition. The Cayenne 955 model years ran from 2002 till 2007.

Porsche Cayenne 955 Model Timelines

Cayenne

With the launch of the fully off-road Cayenne, Porsche broke new ground and entered the increasingly popular sports utility vehicle (SUV) segment. The vehicle was initially launched on the market in autumn 2002 with the Cayenne S and Cayenne Turbo models. From the model year 2004, the model series was supplemented by the entry-level Cayenne.

Cayenne S

When launched on the market in autumn 2002, two model variants were immediately available: the Cayenne S and the Cayenne Turbo. The new Porsche model series leaves nothing to be desired when it comes to performance. Featuring Tiptronic S, the Cayenne S could go from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) in 7.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 242 km/h (150 mph).

Cayenne Turbo

The fastest SUV at the time, the Cayenne Turbo could reach 266 km/h (165 mph) and get to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 5.6 seconds from a standing start

Cayenne Diesel

In February 2009, Porsche expanded its model range with a diesel-engine passenger car for the first time. The Cayenne Diesel featured a state-of-the-art V6 turbo diesel engine.

Cayenne GTS

In November 2007, Porsche expanded the model series with a definitively sporty variant fitted with a 298 kW (405 PS) naturally aspirated engine. The chassis of the Cayenne GTS was specially developed for this model variant.

Porsche Cayenne 955 (1st Generation) Model Guides

The 955 sold from 2003 until 2007 and includes the Cayenne, Cayenne S, Cayenne Turbo, and Cayenne Turbo S models. The Cayenne Turbo was the top dog in the Cayenne range until the Cayenne Turbo S made an appearance in 2006. Technically there were no 2007 MY cars but they were indeed sold in 2007. Below we take in-depth to better get to know all the variants from that first batch of Cayennes.

Porsche Cayenne Turbo (2002 - 2007)

Porsche Cayenne Turbo (2002 – 2007)

The first-generation Cayenne Turbo 955 has 450 PS (331 kW), and can accelerate from 0–100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.3 seconds. 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. The German brand needed a car to sell in volumes and save them from a foreseeable financial collapse. The Cayenne Turbo did just that.
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Porsche Cayenne S (2002 – 2007)

The first-generation Cayenne saw the introduction of the Cayenne S in 2002. While the base Cayenne had a 3.2-L VR6 engine, the Cayenne S got a 4.5 L V8 with more power and torque. The extremely short and compact normal-aspirated V8 produced 340 hp and 310 lb⋅ft of torque. Acceleration for the Cayenne S is strong for an SUV, with 0–60 mph taking 6.9 seconds and the top speed being 150 mph. The Cayenne S also have some visual changes to better identify it, but was otherwise standard Cayenne fair.
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Porsche Cayenne (2002 – 2007)

The first-generation Cayenne was what saved Porsche. The based Porsche Cayenne 955 entered the market to a mixed reception, although it was the performance vehicle among SUVs and had comparably good handling as well as powerful engines.[3] The lineup initially consisted of the V8-powered Cayenne S and Cayenne Turbo. Later in the model cycle, VR6 and diesel-powered versions joined the lineup. The base model is powered by a VW 3.2-L VR6 engine producing 250 PS (184 kW; 247 hp). The engine is largely the same as the VW engine.
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Porsche Cayenne GTS Porsche Design Edition 3 (2009)

An exclusive limited edition Cayenne GTS “Porsche Design Edition 3”. Limited to just 1,000 units worldwide, the limited edition Cayenne adds equipment and Porsche Design styling touches to stand out from the crowd. Distinguishing the special edition model is a Lava Grey paint scheme, extended roof spoiler, racing stripes, and 21in alloy wheels in a matching anthracite finish. This special edition looks the goods, but sadly there were no mechanical changes to differentiate it from the core GTS.
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Porsche Cayenne Turbo S (2006 – 2007)

Porsche made things more interesting with the launch of a Turbo S version in 2006 to compete with the Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG. The Turbo S is powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.5 L V8 that produces 521 PS (383 kW; 514 hp) and 720 N⋅m (530 lb⋅ft) of torque; Acceleration from 0–60 mph (97 km/h) takes 5.0 seconds and the top speed is 171 mph (275 km/h); It features a six-speed automatic Tiptronic transmission.
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Porsche Cayenne S Titanium Edition (2006)

The Cayenne S Titanium Edition was designed specifically for the U.S. and Canadian markets. Introduced only for 2006 (as a pre-GTS concept), it was a 1 year exclusive, limited production SUV featuring a lightweight steel body, aluminium hood, titanium-painted accented body parts, side lower rocker body panels, Sport-Quad Tip Exhaust chrome tailpipes, 19" titanium painted alloy wheels, bi-xenon headlights, two-tone interior upholstery, Porsche PCM 2.0 w/ trip computer navigation, MP3 audio and Bose cabin surround sound.
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Porsche Cayenne S Transsyberia (2009 – 2011)

Named after the 7200km intercontinental rally which the Cayenne won in 2007, the Porsche Cayenne S Transsyberia Special Edition offers a number of enhancements. It takes the 4.8-liter V8 unit that develops 405bhp and 500Nm of torque from the range topping GTS allowing the model to drop its base 0-60 mph time down by 0.5 seconds to 6.1 seconds. It is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox (automticac optional), with a 4.1:1 drive ratio and air suspension coupled with PASM.
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1st Generation Porsche Cayenne (957) - The Story

The Type 957 Porsche Cayenne models came along 2008 Model Year models and sold through to 2010 Model Year. The 957 is essentially a face-lifted 955 that rides on the same chassis, and it includes some mechanical and aesthetic changes. Most importantly, the Porsche 957 also introduced the optional Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) system. PDCC was available as an option on 2008-2010 Cayennes and features hydraulically controlled sway bars that help keep the car flat in the corners on-road and better control off-road. The models were the same, but the 957 Cayenne saw the launch of some tasty new models worth learning about.

Porsche Cayenne 957 Model & Details

This graphic breaks out the very first generation of Porsche Cayenne (Type) 957 in terms of timelines and how to tell all the models apart. Click on the image to see it in higher definition. The Cayenne 957 model years ran from 2008 till 2010.

Porsche Cayenne 957 Model Timelines

Porsche Cayenne 957 (1st Generation) Model Guides

Look familiar? Porsche gave us all the same models for the refreshed 957 Cayenne lineup, including the amazing Cayenne Turbo, Cayenne Turbo S and the base, plus Cayenne S variants. Where things get more interesting with the refreshed Cayenne is the new models and special editions. The rare (600 sold in USA) Cayenne S Transsyberia is a limited-edition model released in 2010 to commemorate Porsche's participation in the 2007 Transsyberia rally. It got the Cayenne GTS V8 with off-road accessories and a cool paint job. The sporty and more driver focused Cayenne GTS was introduced during the 957 years, with its tweaked suspension tuning, naturally aspirated V8 and design tweaks, it was the pick of the first generation Cayennes. Read on to learn about all the models.

Porsche Cayenne Turbo (2008 – 2009)

The facelift for the first generation of the Cayenne was introduced in 2007. More powerful in every respect - that is how the new generation of the Porsche Cayenne entered the market. New striking face upfront on a wide and muscular body, with headlights in brand-new design, and with broader, even more powerful-looking wheel arches. The Turbo model 957, featuring a larger 4.8-L engine with 49 hp more power, 0–60 mph time of just 4.9 seconds.
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Porsche Cayenne Turbo S (2008 – 2009)

The facelift for the flagship Cayenne came in 2008. The Porsche Cayenne Turbo S is the most powerful Cayenne ever built. Sharing the same essential 4.8-liter V8 engine as the Cayenne S, GTS and Turbo, the Turbo S got 550 horsepower and 553 lb.-ft. of torque. That's a ten percent increase in power and a seven percent boost in torque over the Cayenne Turbo. 0 to 60 mph is over in 4.7 seconds on its way to a track-proven top speed of 174 mph. Like the Cayenne S and Cayenne Turbo, the Turbo S comes standard with a six-speed Tiptronic S driver-shiftable automatic transmission.
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Porsche Cayenne S (2008 – 2009)

The entire Cayenne range got a 2008 facelift. The big changes were cosmetic, with Porsche getting rid of the Porsche 996-inspired headlights and sharpening up the Cayenne S lines. A new, vertical, daytime running light appeared on the outer side of the side-scoops and the center grille was smaller. The Cayenne S started to better develop its own unique personality with the 17” light-alloy wheels fitted as standard. The Cayenne S also got cool exhausts.
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Porsche Cayenne (2008 – 2009)

The 2008 model year marks the launch of updated Porsche Cayenne. With a striking new face that features a dramatic new headlight design and with a wide and muscular new body accented by broad wheel arches, the 2008 Porsche Cayenne's newly sculpted sheetmetal provides vivid visual testimony to the vehicle's enhanced technical features. Inside, the interior has received an important update with new infotainment unit, new gauges and more.
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Porsche Cayenne GTS (2008 – 2010)

The Cayenne Cayenne GTS was fitted with a 4.8-liter V8 unit, which developed 405 hp. Unlike the Turbo, it was offered with a 6-speed manual as well, while the Tiptronic S (automatic) 6-speed transmission was on the options list. This was the true enthusiasts SUV and the sweet spot in the Cayenne lineup. It also looked great with the black accents and more agressive touches throughout the exterior.
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Porsche Cayenne GTS Porsche Design Edition 3 (2009)

An exclusive limited edition Cayenne GTS “Porsche Design Edition 3”. Limited to just 1,000 units worldwide, the limited edition Cayenne adds equipment and Porsche Design styling touches to stand out from the crowd. Distinguishing the special edition model is a Lava Grey paint scheme, extended roof spoiler, racing stripes, and 21in alloy wheels in a matching anthracite finish. This special edition looks the goods, but sadly there were no mechanical changes to differentiate it from the core GTS.
Read More

Porsche Cayenne Diesel (2008 – 2010)

The European market asked for a diesel engine and the car-maker had to deliver it to keep the sale up in a struggled market affected by the world financial crisis. The engine was a carry-over from the Audi line-up, with a variable turbocharger system and a 3.0-liter displacement. It offered 240 hp and it was tuned to offer more performance. For instance, at hard accelerations, the system disengaged the AC compressor until the engine reached 2500 rpm.
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Porsche Cayenne S Transsyberia (2009 – 2011)

Named after the 7200km intercontinental rally which the Cayenne won in 2007, the Porsche Cayenne S Transsyberia Special Edition offers a number of enhancements. It takes the 4.8-liter V8 unit that develops 405bhp and 500Nm of torque from the range topping GTS allowing the model to drop its base 0-60 mph time down by 0.5 seconds to 6.1 seconds. It is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox (automticac optional), with a 4.1:1 drive ratio and air suspension coupled with PASM.
Read More

1st Generation Porsche Cayenne (955 & 957) Data, Options, Brochures & More Research

We dig into some of the data surrounding the first generation Porsche Cayenne, including production numbers, specifications, chassis numbers and much more.

More Porsche Cayenne News & Updates

Recent news, awesome reviews, new model announcements and all the other latest news and posts regarding the Porsche Cayenne.

New 2024 Cayenne GTS models

At Porsche, the “GTS” designation—short for Gran Turismo Sport—signifies enhanced dynamism and long-distance performance. The Cayenne fundamentally embodies the dual...
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