To Russia with love: the ultimate Cayenne

Here's a Porsche Cayenne that's unlikely to get lumped with the Toorak Tractor/Double Bay Taxi label.

Say hello to the Cayenne S Transsyberia -- a factory-built all-terrainer that's designed to cross Siberia as part of the 2007 Transsyberia Rally, which flags off in Moscow on August 2, and concludes in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, 15 days later.

The inspiration for the vehicle came from a pair of customer-modified Porsche Cayennes that romped to first and second places in last year's iteration of the gruelling rally.

Spurred on by the success of those two vehicles, Porsche has built a small production run of 26 (with possibly more to follow) Cayenne S Transsyberia SUVs, all of which will compete in the 2007 rally.

As per the showroom variant, the Cayenne Transsyberia retains electronic driver aids such as Porsche Traction Management (PTM), Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDDC), and Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM).

However, the PTM system is supplemented by a transverse lock from the optional Offroad Technology Package, and the PDCC system is already set up with a Special Offroad Mode, which, when active, lets the Cayenne wade through water up to 75cm deep. A roof-mounted snorkel keeps that water from invading the intake manifold.

The 287kW 4.8-litre V8 remains essentially unchanged, and likewise the six-speed Tiptronic S transmission, which relays torque to a 4.11 final-drive ratio.

To ensure the rally Cayenne is up to the rigours of the punishing Siberia crossing, it gains reinforced A and B pillars, a bolted-in safety cage, stronger underbody protection, offroad tyres, a rerouted electrical system and a stripped interior with dual spare wheels and tyres and two reserve fuel cannisters in place of the rear seat.

Also unique to the Transsyberia Cayenne is a navigation computer, lightweight sports exhaust, roof lights, a front-mounted winch and a conventional handbrake in lieu of the showroom variant's foot-operated parking brake.

Interestingly, there are still some concessions to luxury, as evidenced by the leather seats and alcantara-trimmed steering wheel. The cabin also features orange fabric door latch pulls, and chequer-plate steel flooring.

The external colour scheme isn't exactly understated either -- you can have it in black or silver with lurid orange trim and wheels, as per the rapid 911 GT3 RS.

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