This is the new Cayenne S Transsyberia, a road-going version of Porsche’s racing Cayenne that has won the Transsyberia Rally three years running. Porsche has dominated the rally – which runs 4,460 miles across Asia between Moscow and Ulan Bator – in recent years with its Cayenne finishing in first to third in 2007, and first to sixth in 2008.
So I can now buy a Porsche Cayenne S Transsyberia for the road?
Yes. To celebrate its success Porsche will unveil a street-legal version of the car at the Paris motor show next month. The Transsyberia is based on the standard Cayenne S, but the 4.8-litre V8 has received the same tweaks as the Cayenne GTS, so power is up from 380 to 400bhp. The torque remains the same at 369 lb ft, while the 0-62mph time matches the GTS at 6.1 seconds – half a second quicker than the Cayenne S.
So why should I buy a Transsyberia over a standard Cayenne S?
We’re not sure you should. When the Transsyberia goes on sale in January 2009 it’ll cost around £62,000, about £15k more than a regular Cayenne S and £5k up on the GTS. To the critic it’s just the latest in a long line of Porsche special editions, the most recent being Cayman S Sport and Boxster S Design Edition 2.
Click ‘Next’ below for all the details on the Porsche Cayenne S Transsyberia
And what if I really want one? What do I get for £62k?
In addition to the increase in power the Transsyberia comes with PASM (Porsche Active Suspension Management), Porsche Traction Management (PCT) but if you want to go off-road you need to pay even more money – the Offroad Technology Package is £1,514.
In order to distinguish the new model from the rest of the Cayenne range the Transsyberia is marked out by several features, so that people will know you haven’t slumped for a hoi polloi Cayenne S. Four new choices of paint have been introduced exclusively for the car including two-tone black/orange and silver/orange options, although a less gaudy grey/silver option is also available.
The standard ‘Cayenne S’ model insignia adorns the tailgate, but ‘Cayenne S Transsyberia’ is stencilled in big letters across the sides, and if you want you can also have it on the door mirrors and the spoiler as well. Lastly, at no extra cost, you can have those off-road lights fixed to the roof. Pity that in many European countries the use of these lights is illegal on public roads…
What do you think of the new Porsche Cayenne S Transsyberia? Click ‘Add your comment’ below and have your say.