CAYENNE TURNS 20!

FACT joined Porsche to celebrate two decades of the marque’s first ever SUV with a trip to ‘Camp Cayenne’.

Thanks to an invitation from Porsche Centre Bahrain, we got to mark the 20th anniversary of the iconic Cayenne luxury performance SUV by taking to the mountainous terrain around ‘Camp Cayenne’ in the inland enclave of Hatta, Dubai.

This expedition was specifically designed to showcase the adventurous side of the Cayenne, giving all invited guests the opportunity to enjoy the original, first-generation sports luxury SUV in new surroundings and on different terrains – all in a controlled environment with professional instructors.

Camp Cayenne

On landing at Dubai International, we were greeted by our hosts and whisked off via shuttle to the hotel Hatta Dome Park, about an hour and a half away. Treated like royalty, we feasted in the evening and enjoyed a comfortable night’s rest at our venue. The following morning, we awoke ready to take on all the adventure the day promised to provide.

Hatta Mountains Off-Road

After a satisfying breakfast and a brief introductory press conference, we were shown to our designated 2002 model, E1 Porsche Cayenne, and headed straight for our first driving experience on the mountain roads.

Having test driven the original Porsche Cayenne model many years before, we knew as passengers, we were in for a real treat. However, it was only once the SUV was effortlessly powering its way along the mountainous twists and turns; dominating both the up and downhill sections of the road, that we could begin to fully appreciate the extent of this car’s impressive off-road capabilities. Despite the rough nature of the driving environment, we always felt well-supported in our seating, and never once felt any discomfort throughout the drive.

Hatta Mountains Tarmac Trails

Soon we were heading for more adventure in the mountains, this time on a tarmac road that wound its way through the highlands. For a 20-year-old vehicle, this E1 SUV was equipped to handle just about any terrain, with a driving mode to suit almost every occasion. With the lesser challenge of negotiating paved roads, the Cayenne reminded us why it is known as a luxury vehicle, as we lapped up the abundance of comfort the SUV provided, taking in all the natural beauty gifted to us by our glorious surroundings.

The Gravel Roads of Wadi Showka

After a scrumptious lunch, it was time to head for the alluring region of Wadi Sowka. Famed for its beautiful landscapes, natural pools and abundance of hiking trails, we were priveledged to take in all the magnificence this area had to offer, all from the uber comfy vantage point of an origional Porsche Cayenne.

As we travelled along the local gravel roads, we simply sat back and smiled as the SUV once again displayed its outstanding handling abilities and near perfect traction control, along with the versitile driving modes it has to offer. Our driver always seemed to be in complete control of the vehicle, even travelling at higer speeds on this tricky terrain. A true testament to the Cayenne’s performance capabilities.

Desert Off-Roading in Maleiha

After some quick refreshments it was time to head for our final exhilirating ‘Camp Cayenne’ experience. This time our destination was Maleiha, a small town in the Emirate of Sharja. This region is well-known for dessert cycling, paragliding and dune buggy riding. This was to be the most challenging environment for our first-generation Cayenne, however, this luxury SUV once again proved more than capable of handling off-road terrain, even in hot desert sands.

“…it was only once the SUV was effortlessly powering its way along the mountainous twists and turns; dominating both the up and downhill sections of the road, that we could begin to fully appreciate the extent of this car’s impressive off-road capabilities.”

We were actually surprised at just how well this older model Cayenne managed to negotiate what was little more than a sand trap for most vehicles. The powertrain setup combined with the correct driving mode ensured our SUV provided yet another commanding performance. And the luxurious interior and effective climate control meant we stayed cool and comfortable.

More Than a Road Car

After a second lovely evening and night at Hatta Dome Park, we were shuttled back to the airport, to catch our plane home. On the return flight we had time to contemplate just how impressive the Cayenne is and in fact, has always been. More than just a luxury on-road SUV, the Cayenne range is a more than capable of handling off-road adventures; designed to deliver a powerful yet posh performance in all environments.

We would like to thank Porsche Centre Bahrain for including us in this memorable occasion. ✤

GO: CALL 1745 9911 FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO BOOK A TEST DRIVE OF YOUR OWN.