Porsche Just Brought a Stick-Shift 1st-Gen Cayenne GTS Back to Better-Than-New Condition

 Porsche's legacy is firmly cemented in the sports cars and motorsports success that have come out of Stuttgart over the last century, but even the storied German automaker hasn't escaped from selling SUVs. That's been good news for Porsche overall, however, as the introduction of the Cayenne in 2002 sparked a series of genuinely fun-to-drive SUVs (as well as gave the company a stable fiscal foundation to build vehicles like the 918 Spyder).

Now, Porsche is celebrating two decades of SUV production by doing a wild restoration on a first-generation Cayenne. Known as the Sonderwunsch Cayenne, the upgraded SUV—owned by car collector Phillip Sarofim—features everything from shiny new paint to a full-interior reupholstering.

Sonderwunsch—German for "special wishes"—is Porsche's bespoke wing, and the results of their handiwork on this 2009 Cayenne GTS are stunning. Porsche went all-in on earth tones, reviving the exterior in a paint-to-sample color known as Blackolive. All-terrain tires paired with a set of 21-inch factory wheels only add to the rugged, adventurous nature of this factory refresh build.

"The look of the 911 Spirit 70 made a lasting impression and inspired me. I really wanted such 1970s vibes for my Cayenne as well," Sarofim said. He added that he had a very specific fantasy for the SUV, too: "From the very beginning, I had the idea of driving through the Rub al-Khali Desert near Dubai with a large Airstream caravan."

Sarofim used his 2009 Cayenne GTS extensively before deciding to give it new life; Porsche says the SUV drove 50,000 miles before being brought in. The only modification that was made in all those miles was a tow bar, a necessary upgrade to fulfill Sarofim's dreams.

But while the exterior does indeed look spectacular, the interior is where the prowess of Porsche's bespoke team really shines through. English green leather meets Porsche's signature Pasha pattern print in a distinct black-and-olive blend to create some of the coolest seats we've ever seen; even the glove compartment receives the Pasha pattern treatment here. The rest of the touch points inside the Cayenne GTS are swathed in English green leather, with our favorite bits being the steering wheel and manual transmission shifter. (Yes, it's a stick.) To contrast these earth tones, Porsche added minimal bits of brushed aluminum to the door cards and center console, helping reflect a bit of light inside the darkened cabin.

Of course, updating a 2009 Cayenne GTS with this much new upholstery and paint well exceeds the current value of the car, but we suspect neither party is expecting a strong return-on-investment. Rather, this demonstration signals to other Cayenne owners that their beloved performance SUV can be reimagined, too. And we wouldn't be surprised if other owners take Porsche up on this offer, either.