Porsche has been victorious in the last three Transsyberia rallies and in the 2008 event the top six finishing cars were Cayennes. At the Paris motorshow in October this achievement will be marked by the launch of the Porsche Cayenne S Transsyberia.

Power comes from a 4.8-litre, 405bhp V8 - taken from the Cayenne GTS. Another component borrowed from the GTS is the final drive and the altered gearing improves acceleration. With the standard six-speed manual gearbox (a six-speed Tiptronic transmission is optional) 0-62mph is claimed to take 6.1 seconds. Porsche also claims impressive in-gear acceleration, with 31-75mph (50-120km/h) in fifth gear taking just 6.6 seconds. Top speed is claimed to be 158mph.

Air suspension featuring Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) helps get the power to the road. This ensures a constant ride height regardless of load and allows ground clearance to be increased on rough ground; PASM continuously monitors and adjusts the dampers too. To enhance the Cayenne's off road ability an optional Offroad Technology Pack, featuring a differential lock on the rear axle - to supplement the lockable centre differential - and protective under body panels, is offered.

Inside, there is plenty of Alcantara covering various surfaces and, in particular, the steering wheel rim. A feature copied from competition cars is a contrasting band of material to mark the 12 o'clock position on the wheel. Other interior details are also picked out in the same contrasting colour, which echoes the two tone colour scheme on the outside of the car.

The colour options for the Transsyberia are Black/Orange and Crystal Silver Metallic/Orange or the more discreet colour combinations Black/Meteor Grey Metallic and Meteor Grey Metallic/Crystal Silver Metallic. The side plates on the air intake grille, the exterior mirror housings and the upper part of the extended roof spoiler are finished in the second colour as is the optional "Cayenne S Transsyberia" model designation for the sides of the car. On all but the Meteor Grey Metallic/Crystal Silver Metallic colour combination, the 18-inch Cayenne S II wheels come in the contrasting colour. Roof mounted off-road headlamps are a no cost option.

The Cayenne S Transsyberia will be launched at the Paris Mondial de l'Automobile on 2nd October. The first deliveries to Porsche dealers will be in January 2009.

John Lambert - 9 Sep 2008