2008 Paris Auto Show: 2010 Porsche Cayenne S Transsyberia

• It's actually got legitimate off-road pedigree
• Real exclusivity -- only 600 in North America
• Have some fun with it -- get the no-cost rally-lights bar and graphics

• With only 600 coming, you can be sure of a healthy premium early on
• You'd never forgive yourself if you scratched it on a canyon wall
• Everybody needs a Porsche, but not everybody needs a Porsche off-roader

Audi Q7, BMW X3 and X5, Land Rover LR3

Over time, Porsche's reputation has been built on racing, but recently its big profits have been built on SUVs. The 2010 Porsche Cayenne S Transsyberia is a way to acknowledge both realities. A tribute to the off-road modified Porsche Cayenne S models that have dominated the 4,400-mile rally that roughhouses through the wilds of Russia and Mongolia, the Porsche Cayenne S Transsyberia looks tough and travels tough -- as if you were ever going to do that to your Porsche. Still, it's nice to know that you could.

The Porsche Cayenne S Transsyberia looks, appropriately enough, like the party version of a Porsche Cayenne S. Four color combinations are available, including a choice of black or silver metallic with orange accents. The accent color also adorns the air intake vents, outside mirrors and rear spoiler. For no extra cost, you can order your Porsche Cayenne S Transsyberia with off-road lights and showy "Cayenne S Transsyberia" side graphics.

Inside, the Porsche Cayenne S Transsyberia features sport seats with sweet Alcantara inserts. Alcantara also covers the multifunction steering wheel (which gets a "12 o'clock" orientation marking at the top of the wheel -- a classic rally touch).

Porsche Cayenne S Transsyberia models enjoy a 405-horsepower 4.8-liter V-8 coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission. The best of Porsche traction and stability systems are also included. To embolden the vehicle's off-road character, front and rear skid plates are standard equipment and an optional off-road package features a variable, lockable rear differential, rock rails with integrated skid plates, and extra protection for the engine bay, fuel tank and rear axle.

So many people in this country are determined to take their Porsche Cayenne and Cayenne S models off-road, that we think the Porsche Cayenne S Transsyberia is long overdue...wait a second, nobody takes their Porsche Cayenne off-road except Porsche. Nevertheless, image is everything, and the 2010 Porsche Cayenne S Transsyberia casts the right off-road image and backs it up with the right equipment and a very awkward name. Stuttgart says that it plans to bring 600 Porsche Cayenne S Transsyberia models to the North America next year. No price has yet been set.

By Richard Homan and Greg Brown Photo credit: Greg Brown