Porsche Presents a Unique Factory Re-Commissioned Cayenne

Porsche unveils a restored 2009 Cayenne GTS through its Factory Re-Commission programme, showcasing design updates and desert-ready elements.

The unique Porsche Sonderwunsch project once again took center stage as a fully renewed 2009 Cayenne GTS was revealed at the Icons of Porsche festival in Dubai. The vehicle was commissioned by American entrepreneur and car collector Phillip Sarofim, who wanted his Cayenne to capture the spirit of the 1970s and be ready for a journey across the vast Rub al-Khali desert.

For the first time, Porsche applied its Factory Re-Commission format to a first-generation SUV. Instead of a simple refresh, engineers and customisation specialists performed an extensive overhaul, returning the 16-year-old vehicle to a near-new condition while transforming it into a true one-off. According to Porsche, the project highlights the wide range of customer dreams and reinforces the Cayenne’s status as a modern icon.

The exterior is finished in the Blackolive Paint to Sample colour, complemented by a matte-black lower body and wheels that emphasise the SUV’s off-road character. Coarse tyres enhance traction and visual presence. To prepare the car for a planned trip with an Airstream caravan, Porsche installed a US-style square receiver towbar—an uncommon feature on a Porsche model.

Inside, English green leather meets the iconic black-and-olive Pasha textile, a pattern recognised by fans of historic Porsche design. It appears not only on the seat centres but even inside the glove compartment. Light-brushed aluminium trim on the dashboard and doors creates a refined contrast and underscores the craftsmanship behind the project.

The Factory Re-Commission programme allows customers to reinterpret vehicles they already own—from colour changes to full restorations. Porsche notes that for older models, such projects often require technical repair work, especially in the case of youngtimers like the first-generation Cayenne, produced between 2002 and 2010 and now supported by a loyal enthusiast community.

The debut of this reimagined Cayenne in Dubai demonstrates how far individualisation can go and confirms that even years later, the first-generation model remains something owners want not only to preserve but to develop in new directions. And judging by the scale of the work, the journey across the Rub al-Khali may be only the beginning of this car’s next chapter.