Porsche Centre Edmonton is proud to present the story behind the restoration of this 2008 Porsche Cayenne V6 as part of this year's Classic Restoration Competition. Porsche Centre Edmonton will be taking this vehicle and retrofitting it with a full Safari Package to conquer Alberta's highest mountain peeks.
The vehicle will be retrofitted with a new Porsche PCM system, upgraded off-road suspension with a lift, off road wheels and tires, new front and rear bumpers, along with a mechanical refresh - readying this Cayenne for wherever the journey leads.
The training and equipment Porsche provides to its dealers have made this project feasible. At Porsche Centre Edmonton, we have the necessary tools and expertise to service, refurbish, and renovate vintage Porsche vehicles. Our mechanics have been able to obtain all the requisite support and training essential to undertake this unique project.
The Mechanical Refresh phase of the restoration competition is well underway and we are making excellent progress on our 2008 Cayenne V6. This early model Cayenne is a unique project—not only because of its place in Porsche’s SUV legacy, but also because of the opportunities it presents to modernize and enhance its off-road capabilities.
Despite showing its age with some cosmetic wear and tear, the Cayenne still had great bones. We teamed up with Modern Autobody to take care of some exterior restoration, bringing the Cayenne back to life, and giving us a solid foundation for the full mechanical and structural overhaul.
Inside the shop, our Porsche technicians are now working hard to finish the remainder of the mechanical refresh with a thorough inspection and replacement of worn suspension components. The real highlight of this phase is the installation of a custom lift kit, further improving the off-road capability. This setup transforms the Cayenne from a luxury crossover into a trail-ready beast capable of tackling rugged terrain without sacrificing everyday drivability.
Stay tuned as we continue pushing forward—the design and customization continues in the next phase.
With the mechanical foundation nearly complete, we've officially trickled into the design and customization phase, where personality, creativity, and visual identity come to life.
The focus now shifts to giving our 2008 Cayenne V6 a clean and refreshed look that matches its new off-road capabilities. First up was a full-body repaint, breathing new life into the vehicle's exterior. The fresh paint not only enhances visual appeal but also adds a layer of protection to the bodywork previously restored.
To complement the new paint, our team also added custom decals—unique graphic elements designed to reflect the adventurous spirit of the build. These visual accents will help set our Cayenne apart in the competition, giving it a rugged yet refined aesthetic that pays homage to its Porsche heritage while embracing its new identity as an off-road-ready SUV.
We’re also introducing black trim and molding along the vehicle, which adds contrast and depth to the exterior. Switching to a black finish gives the Cayenne a sharper, more modern appearance and ties in perfectly with the lifted stance and off-road enhancements from the previous phase. This stage is all about attention to detail and cohesive design and we’re excited to see it all come together.
