Porsche Just Put One of Its Most Controversial Manual V8s on the Fast Track to Classic Status

When Porsche launched the Cayenne in 2002, it was an incredibly controversial vehicle among purists of the community, as it marked a significant departure from the brand’s sports car heritage.

Of course, the SUV was (and is) a necessary evil. For Porsche to continue offering cars like the 911 or the Boxster, it also needed a volume seller to keep the lights on.

Still, that didn’t stop Porsche from giving the Cayenne its own dose of sporting appeal. Come 2008, the GTS version debuted as one of the rare instances in which buyers could get both a manual transmission and a V8 engine in the SUV. 

Porsche

It’s precisely this kind of combination of polarizing impact and unique pedigree that can breed a classic. And someone just put Porsche’s Cayenne on the fast track with a unique Sonderwunsch project.

An exceptional SUV project

In case you’re not already familiar: Porsche created its Sonderwunsch (special request) arm as part of the Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur and Porsche Classic departments to give its clientele virtually limitless personalization capabilities. 

Porsche

Expectedly, the projects typically take the form of iconic Porsche classics and valuable rarities like the Carrera GT. It’s for this reason that the Cayenne you see before you makes for quite the exceptional example — the SUV is first of its kind to be graced with the treatment.

As an entrepreneur and passionate car collector, the owner, Phillip Sarofim, approached Porsche with a very specific idea of what he had in mind for the car. Inspired by the  911 Spirit 70, he wanted to create something that had “such 1970s vibes” based on a 2009 GTS model.

Porsche

Accordingly, Porsche took to the exterior with knobby tires, a Black olive body color, and some matte black accents. It’s a treatment that’s subtle but nevertheless impactful.

It’s one that extends to the inside of the Cayenne as well. Throughout the interior, Porsche shod the GTS in English green leather upholstery, also outfitting the seat centers, glove compartment with black and olive Pasha pattern accents. In contrast to the clean brushed aluminum trim, it makes for a look that’s bold and vibrant.

Porsche

Poised to become a classic

Being a 16-year-old car with just 50,000 miles, the Cayenne GTS didn’t need much to be road-ready. In fact, the only mechanical change to the 405-horsepower carpoolmobile came in the form of a hitch receiver — the owner envisioned the project with the aim of driving through the Rub al-Khali Desert near Dubai, Airstream trailer in tow.

In any case, while this Sonderwunsch project may not be as exhaustive as others Porsche has completed, it nevertheless speaks to the Cayenne 957 at the present moment. The SUV is poised to become a classic.

Porsche

A quick look over on Classic.com confirms as much. While even the oldest GTS examples still have a few years before they’ll be considered bona fide classics, sale prices are trending upwards. Compared to December of 2024, the market average is up by nearly $9,000. 

And that’s not to mention the odd outlier sale. Just this past September, Cars & Bids managed to auction a 2014 model for a monumental $125,500. While it came with a six-speed and a rare colorway, clearly, there are passionate Porsche nuts out there. 

Porsche

Considering that this particular Cayenne is the commission of entrepreneur and passionate car collector Phillip Sarofim (also responsible for bringing the ludicrous Tuthill Meyers Manx to market), Porsche’s SUV certainly seems to be on the up and up.

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