Friday 9th October 2015

Porsche Cayenne GTS: Spotted

The manual Cayenne GTS really does exist!

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The Porsche manual gearbox is dying. Yes, the Cayman GT4 and Boxster Spyder are very nice but they don't represent the majority of sales. Read any material on the new turbocharged 911s and the manual is only given the briefest of mentions; the Panamera, Cayenne and Macan (even the 2.0-litre) are offered only as automatics. Which leaves just the Boxster and Cayman. While more manuals are specced in those than with the 911, PDK is proving ever more popular. With good reason as it's a great gearbox, but it does seem a shame that manual is disappearing. Particularly as - early 991s aside - they tend to be very good manuals.

Ignore the leather; look at that 'knob!

The obvious way to celebrate the manual would be something like a Cayman R or a 997 Carrera GTS, but why go obvious when there's this available? Yep, a Cayenne GTS manual. About as daft as the whole sports 4x4 thing goes this side of a Juke R but, similarly to the Nissan, quite appealing because of its inappropriateness.

Alright, this isn't as off-the-wall as a GT-R-engined Juke but it's a fairly idiosyncratic choice. Two-tonne luxury SUV with an automatic? Quite odd. But a Porsche GTS model with a manual is more legitimate. Perhaps. It's the curio appeal. There can't be many around, can there?

Car and Driver will tell you it's not a very good manual, stating that: "The shift throws are long, and it's a lifeless stick". Which is disappointing, even if they praised the rest of the car very highly. The GTS is often lauded as the most dynamic Cayenne so in theory the manual should be the best of all. You may not want to buy it, but who wouldn't fancy a quick go?

Rather lovely V8 in there too

Away from the gearbox for just a second, it looks like a very nice Cayenne. The mileage is low - has someone realised they don't actually like manuals? - the spec is good and it's recently serviced too. The personalised plate could surely be switched over.

Of course it's hard to justify when there are lots of other Cayennes around, plus many other ways to carry the family without resorting to an SUV. But a Cayenne GTS manual is interesting, different and rare; it's therefore worth some exposure on this site. Unsurprisingly the manual didn't make it to the second-gen Cayenne GTS, making this all the more of a find. A 918 Spyder is plain common by comparison.

Yes, it will be a tough sell and not exactly frugal. But credit to Porsche for offering one and a few brave people for buying one. Good luck to the next owner!

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PORSCHE CAYENNE GTS
Engine: 4,806cc, V8
Transmission: Six-speed manual, all-wheel drive
Power (hp): 405@ 6,500rpm
Torque (lb ft): 369@ 3,500rpm
MPG: N/A
CO2: 361g/km
First registered: 2008
Recorded mileage: 29,000
Price new: £54,000
Yours for: £23,750

See the original advert here.

[Source: Car and Driver]

[mnx42]

Ok I'll go first. I like this.If I was in the market for a Lux SUV (I'm not ) this would be what I would have. Do not like the interior colour though at all. Seems like a reasonable price to me too.