HIGHLIGHTS

One owner from new
37k verified mileage
Hand-stitched leather detailing on dash and interior
Tiptronic gearbox
Cherished number plate retained by vendor – correct reg is LH53 AJV
ULEZ compliant
Electric Sunroof

THE APPEAL

All eyes were on Porsche at the 2002 Paris Motor Show when it launched its first step into a brave new world – one that has since seen it build all manner of cars from small off-roaders to luxury saloons.

But back in 2002, the idea of one of the world’s best-known sports car makers building anything but a coupe or roadster was unfeasible. Porsche had never been there before, and it wasn’t aligned with the brand’s heritage.

The car market was evolving, though, and the launch of the BMW X5 two years previously had shown that it was possible to build an SUV that had car-like dynamics. The new Range Rover L322 in 2001 brought more of the same, and Porsche wanted a slice of the action.

Enter the Cayenne – the first Porsche SUV, the first with a V8 engine since the 928 and the first with off-road capability since the company built tractors in the 1950s.

It was initially offered only with those V8 engines, normally aspirated and turbocharged, to ensure that it lived up to Porsche’s performance promise. Today, 20 years on (believe it or not) it’s regarded as one of the most important Porsches of all-time.

THE HISTORY AND PAPERWORK

Only 37k from new
Service history to 28,000 miles
UK V5
One owner from new
Book pack and manuals

The Cayenne was first registered in 2003 and has had just one owner – a doctor in Shoreditch, London. He used it only for travelling out of London when he needed to so it has covered a genuinely low mileage.

It has a wallet full of Porsche booklets and manuals and a service book stamped to 28,000 miles. In its 19 years it never had a MOT advisory - another display of its tremendous care.

For most of its life the Cayenne wore a private registration number which is blanked out in our pictures at the owner’s request.

It has been reallocated its original registration – LH53 AJV – and the vendor will have a set made up once the registration transfer is complete with DVLA.

THE INTERIOR

Optional hand-stitched leather detailing
Immaculate order
Fully working controls
Electric Sunroof
Original Porsche Car Phone in the armrest

This must have been a very expensive car when new, as the owner ticked all the boxes, including a high-line leather pack for the interior that sees door handles, door cards and dash picked out in the same black hide as the seats. It’s a beautiful finish, made all the better by its excellent condition.

It’s in stunning order and even smells fresh, while all of the dials, controls and the infotainment centre all operate as they should.

THE EXTERIOR

Slate Grey Metallic
Excellent order
No marks or damage

The Cayenne is in fantastic condition, especially considering that it has spent most of its life in a busy city.

Aside from the tiniest of kerb marks on a couple of the alloys and some very tiny stone chips it’s incredibly fresh-looking for a 19-year-old car and is in extremely sound order.

THE MECHANICS

4.5-litre V8
Tiptronic transmission with steering wheel controls
No known faults

The Cayenne has the normally aspirated version of the 4.5-litre V8 that debuted in the model, and which develops 340bhp. The engine is coupled to Porsche’s Tiptronic semi-auto transmission, which allows manual control via steering wheel buttons.

It sounds terrific, especially when opened up. The low mileage and history of this example make it even more appealing.

The vendor reports that it drives faultlessly, and that there are no known faults or defects.

SUMMARY

This is a fabulous example of the first-generation Cayenne – a car with massive significance in automotive history.

With many Cayennes falling into less than diligent ownership in their later years, finding one as good and original as this is an absolute delight and the super-low mileage adds even further to its appeal.

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