2006 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S: A Performance SUV That Should Be On Your Radar

This 2006 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S Is A Bargain Sleeper SUV

Fast forward a couple of decades, and those first-gen Cayennes are turning into seriously cool project cars. You can build a rad off-roader on a budget, or – my personal jam – snag a low-mileage example and experience Porsche performance for (relatively) cheap. We’re talking 2003-2010, folks, with the 955/957 chassis. But among all those spicy options, there’s one that truly gets my heart racing: the 2006 Turbo S. This wasn’t your average grocery-getter Cayenne. This was a genuine beast and I’m not just saying that.

Built for just one glorious year (2006), and production numbers were low. I’ve seen claims range from 600 units to around 1,400 units, making them rare, the ’06 Cayenne Turbo S took the "sport" in SUV seriously. We’re talking a twin-turbo 4.5L V8 pumping out a whopping 520 horsepower. 0-60 in under five seconds? This is quick by modern standards. Adjustable air suspension for carving corners like a boss? Check. his thing could hang with a Lotus Esprit Turbo from a decade earlier, all while towing a cool 7,700 pounds (which, let’s be real, is probably more than most Esprits ever saw in their lifetime).

Here’s Doug DeMuro himself on what makes the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S so desirable.

There’s a catch, though. Finding a Cyanne Turbo S, especially a low-mileage one, might take some serious hunting. But hey, the reward is a practically extinct Porsche legend with a monstrous engine note and enough power to pin you to the seat. Totally worth the effort, if you ask me.

If you’re impressed with what you’ve read so far, this particular example currently listed on Bring a Trailer could have you itching to write a check. Black on black, it’s got all the bells and whistles – bi-xenon headlights, panoramic sunroof, parking sensors galore, and those sweet 20-inch Cayenne Sport Techno wheels. The looks have certainly grown on me, and the bright work certainly contrasts against the black paint. There’s not much signs of rust either.

Inside, it’s held up rather well for its age and packs heated power seats, a killer sound system, and navigation (because who gets lost in a Porsche, right?) and I just love the wood trim from this era. Not much screen action here, but you can swap the head unit from Porsche Classic for modern-day phone connectivity, but you get good old analog dials.

Now, with 128,000 miles on the clock, this isn’t exactly a garage queen. But with some TLC, it could be the ultimate all-rounder – a comfortable daily driver that transforms into a weekend beast on the twisty roads. Plus, the price tag is significantly more attainable than that sticker shock of $112,415 back in 2006. This one’s currently at no reserve, with the current bid sitting at just $4,000 making it a seriously tempting proposition. For some context, the average price for a 955 Cayenne Turbo S, sold over the past five years according to classic.com is $21,122.

One last thing to keep in mind. Early E1 Cayennes had a couple of known gremlins, like driveshaft supports and plastic coolant pipes. But hey, that’s part of the project car charm, right? Besides, most of these issues have probably been sorted by now by savvy enthusiasts. Just be sure to do your research before diving in. Look, a 2006 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S might not be for everyone. But for those who appreciate its rarity, and crave that unique blend of practicality, performance, and Porsche pedigree, it may just be worth it.