That Porsche has explored different segments and niche bodies is undeniable. The German firm has dared with everything that has been put forward, something else has been its end. A new secret uncovers his intentions for a Porsche Cayenne Cabrio in the early 2000s.
We know that car brands explore all the possibilities to stand out and distinguish themselves of the competition. Porsche is one of the manufacturers that invests the most in internal studies, although later they do not materialize. Years ago explored the option of launching a sports compacta model that would have surprised and turned the segment upside down, something that he ruled out due to its high price and that he preferred to occupy with the 718 Cayman.
The firm dared with the Cayenne, a model considered a very illegitimate product but that, far from paying attention to purists and others, went ahead with everything, getting away with it and with a perfect move that adds up to thousands of units. What we didn’t know, and have been declassified now that two decades have passed of the launch of the sports SUV, is that the German brand explored a Porsche Cayenne Cabriolet based on the first generation from 2002.
2002 Porsche Cayenne Convertible Prototype
Go ahead that convertibles are niche models in themselves and for very capricious customers, much more so in an SUV, not an SUV like the first Cayenne. There are differences between the two concepts, and the first generation was an off-roader capable of overcoming the most difficult obstacles, including even a gearbox.
The department in charge of the development of the Cayenne proposed not only one conventional variant, but three more: a coupe, a variant elongated 200 millimeters to house 7 seats and a Cabrio. The first has been kept in a drawer until the third generation, the second was discarded and the third was on the table of those responsible for the brand for a long time. Just enough for the designers to create the relevant full-scale model. A “PFM», as they call it at Porsche, which no driving functionality.
However, what was a production challenge turned into an odyssey, because the fact removing the roof panel required a series of very important reinforcements: in the A-pillars that, in addition, were delayed and more inclined, in addition to increase the size of the doors by 200 millimeters by eliminating the rear ones. Another big problem was the canvas roof, the subject of discussion if a simple roll-up canvas and manual assembly -and disassembly- or a “Z”-shaped tilting system, in the style of the 911
“A convertible SUV is a challenge in aesthetic terms. The SUV always has a big, heavy body, and to combine this with a small canvas roof, you end up in weird things,” says new head of design Michael Mauer.
And without this they did not agree, even less on the design, because one of the keys was a differentiated personality compared to the production model and more familiar. The stylists suggested two rear area proposals, with the rear lights higher or lower. Of course, none came to fruition. And although the Range Rover Evoque Cabrio and the Nissan Murano CrossCabrio did sell in Europe, and in the United States, the success achieved by the Cayenne in its first generation, which swept, more than made up for the fact that it was not the first premium brand in the world with a convertible SUV.