Porsche Cayenne 2nd Gen hits 100,000
They said it would be a failure when the Porsche Cayenne first appeared back in 2002. But nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, the Porsche Cayenne has become the cash cow for Porsche that allows it to indulge in sports cars, and the second generation Cayenne is selling more quickly than the original Cayenne.
The original Porsche Cayenne sold over 250,000 in its life, but the second generation Cayenne has now hit 100,000 units in a little over two years. And really, despite the detractors, that’s no surprise.
The original Cayenne was a real surprise; it was quick, able and ridiculously nimble by any standards, never mind for a high-riding SUV. That it could take to the roads – particularly in Cayenne Turbo guise – and seriously worry an M5 was a wonder, but that it could then take a sharp left turn and plough across a field with an aplomb only Land Rover’s products could match made it unbeatable.
The original Cayenne wasn’t the prettiest car in the world, its cabin could appear a little austere – although very well made – and there wasn’t as much room in the back as you’d perhaps like. The latest Cayenne has addressed those shortcomings to one degree or another, and the second generation Cayenne is quite possibly the most complete car in production; it is the perfect compromise supercar.
Porsche now sells the Cayenne in 124 countries, and the 100,000th car in the photo above – taken at Porsche’s Leipzig facility – is heading off to a customer in Brazil. So successful is the new Cayenne – and the Panamera, which is also made in Leipzig – Porsche is introducing three shift production to up numbers to 500 cars a day.
The Cayenne has been so successful it has lead to the baby Cayenne – the Porsche Cajun – which will also be produced in Leipzig after a €500 million investment by Porsche, creating not just a new production line for the Cajun, but 1,000 local jobs too.
Where are the Cayenne detractors now?
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