A rare 2009 Porsche Cayenne GTS with a manual gearbox has been attracting serious attention in Dubai after receiving a full, factory-backed restoration by Porsche itself — a treatment usually reserved for the brand’s most special cars.
In today’s world of high-end car personalization, Porsche has evolved far beyond its reputation as a maker of iconic sports cars. Thanks to its long-running Sonderwunsch — or “Special Request” — program, launched back in 1978, Porsche now offers its customers a level of customization that borders on art. What once focused on new cars has expanded into restoring classics and even creating completely unique, one-off builds.
This restored Cayenne GTS took the spotlight during Dubai’s Icons of Porsche weekend. It represents the very first fully refreshed first-generation Cayenne completed under Porsche’s Factory Re-Commission initiative — and for a model with such a unique configuration, the timing feels perfect.
A Retro Comeback With Modern Precision
Although this Cayenne is now about 16 years old and has covered around 80,500 km, Porsche treated it as if it had just rolled out of the factory for the first time. The owner, American enthusiast Philippe Sarofim, asked Porsche to infuse the SUV with a 1970s vibe — and the final result delivers exactly that, but with a modern edge.
A Striking New Exterior
The SUV now wears a stunning Paint-to-Sample color called Blackolive — a deep, olive-green shade that gives the Cayenne a bold, vintage attitude. Matte-black accents sharpen the look, while chunky off-road tires hint at the original Cayenne DNA: a high-performance SUV that wasn’t afraid of the dirt, thanks to its low-range gearbox and locking rear differential.
Sarofim also requested a towbar, adding a touch of everyday practicality to a build that could have easily remained a pure showpiece.
An Interior That Blends Heritage and Craftsmanship
Step inside, and the Cayenne continues telling its retro story. Porsche rebuilt the cabin with:
English Green custom leather
The legendary Pasha pattern in black and olive, extending across the dashboard
Light brushed-aluminum door inserts
The result is a rare mix of classic Porsche nostalgia and tailored luxury — the kind of combination you almost never see in modern SUVs.
A Manual Transmission — The True Unicorn Here
What makes this Cayenne GTS truly stand out is its six-speed manual gearbox. In today’s performance SUV world, a manual transmission is practically unheard of. Even in later Cayenne generations, the manual option only appeared on entry models. So finding a GTS — the sportiest trim — equipped with one? That’s extremely uncommon.
And because this example has relatively low mileage, the restoration has only amplified its collectible status.
A Star at Icons of Porsche
The reborn 2009 Cayenne GTS made its first public appearance at the fifth edition of the Icons of Porsche festival in Dubai Design District — an event the ArabGT team attended earlier this week. The Cayenne shared the spotlight with another special Porsche: a customized Panamera created through the same Sonderwunsch (special request) division.
