|
|
|
Please type your
search-word(s)
and
press "Enter" |
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
This is the single-news section of the
marathonrally.com news "Cars & Technics". To
see all news please use the link under the article or navigate
with the left main-navigation.
|
|
|
|
Porsche offers 26 factory built Marathonrally Cayenne Transsyberia.
| |
|
Porsche likes tough challenges, especially when it comes to motorsports, although we're usually talking the on-tarmac variety. But after hearing a pair of private teams running Porsche Cayenne S utes finished first and second in the grueling 3,850-mile Transsyberia Marathonrally, that runs from Moscow to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, the company sprung into action to provide its customers with a factory ready endurance rally vehicle.
Based on the 2008 Cayenne S, the special vehicle differs little mechanically from the base model thanks to the Cayenne's built-in offroad capabilities. The powertrain is the same save the addition of a transverse lock to the Porsche Traction Management all-wheel-drive system, which is available as an option on production vehicles. The suspension has been beefed up, resulting in a track increase of 1.34 inches.
Like its more conventional counterpart, the Cayenne S Transsyberia is powered by a 385-horsepower 4.8-liter V8 that is able to run on a mixture of gas and ethanol. The engine generates 369 pound-feet of torque at 3,500 rpm. It is linked to a six-speed Tiptronic S that Porsche says is "optimized for all-terrain use."
The doors and body of the Transsyberia are waterproofed (75 cm) all the way to the side windows and a snorkel is fitted to prevent hydrolock, giving the vehicle a fording depth of almost 30 inches. Porsche has also equipped the Transsyberia with an FIA certified rollcage and and a set of special offroad tires. The foot-operated parking brake is replaced with a hand brake to allow more control of the vehicle. and exhaust further lowers the weight.
The interior is stripped to maximize weight savings. The rear seat, all sound-proofing material, and unnecessary interior body paneling are removed, as is the power door lock system. Other rally-specific equipment includes a navigation system designed for operation by the passenger, advanced Tripmaster Rallycomputer mounted in the glovebox, added underbody skidplates, rerouted electrical system and a lightened, reworked exhaust.
There's also a pair of full-size spare tires, two 20-liter reserve cans, a hydraulic off-road car jack, two fire extinguishers and two toolboxes, anelectrical system reset switch, a set of four roof lights and a winch, which can be mounted in front if needed.
The exterior of the special model has lots of orange touches and a roof spoiler with a double-wing profile that provides stability at high speeds. The front and rear airdams are finished in stainless steel. The Cayenne S Transsyberia also displays orange-colored wheels and side stripes with the logo "Cayenne S Transsyberia 2007."
Only 26 units of this Marathonrally-Cayenne will be built - the price is not annouced yet. "Today we have no FIA Homologation" a Porsche-spokesman told marathonrally.com, "but we are thinking about it". If possible, the Cayenne Transsybaria will be homologated as FIA T2-Class - for this, it would be the toughest and fastest T2-Rallycar built from a car manufacturer ever.
Two Cayenne S Transsyberia will be participating in this year's 6,200-mile-long "Transsyberia Rally", which starts on August 17. It'll be interesting to see if the factory car can repeat last year's success. It wouldn't be a surprise. Porsche isn't a company that shoots for second place.
2007/04/19 | 10:23 CET | Editor: MR/HS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|