Porsche introduced the Cayenne SUV in 2002.
The first-generation Cayenne, known internally as the E1 or Type 9PA, entered production in August 2002. Porsche presented the new five-seat SUV at the Paris Motor Show in September that year, making it the company’s third model line after the 911 and Boxster. Dealer availability followed in 2003, which sometimes causes the introduction year to be reported incorrectly.
The Cayenne was a major strategic departure for a brand historically associated with sports cars. Porsche developed it in cooperation with Volkswagen, whose related Touareg shared elements of the underlying program. Production took place at Porsche’s new Leipzig plant, while some engines and components came through the wider Volkswagen Group relationship.
The original range began with the V8-powered Cayenne S and Cayenne Turbo; a Volkswagen-derived VR6 version followed. The model became Porsche’s first production four-door vehicle and its first modern off-road-oriented series. Later generations added diesel, hybrid and plug-in-hybrid variants, but they all trace back to the 2002 launch.