Northampton-based coachbuilding specialist Merdad has revised it program for the Porsche Cayenne with its Collection Coupe program.
The body conversion sees the car’s standard wheelbase of 2,895 mm remain unchanged, but little else. The rear doors have been deleted, with the B-pillars moved further back to maintain proportions and to accommodate the 20 mm longer doors which were hand made before being hot-dip galvanised. Hidden reinforcements help to retain the bodyshell’s rigid, while new safety glass was manufactured to fit the revised apertures.
Completing the aesthetics, Merdad fits its wide body package, which adds 90 mm to the Cayenne’s width and includes a front fascia with mesh grilles and spoiler, wheel arch extensions, side skirts and door mouldings, a rear skirt with diffuser and a carbon fibre hood with integrated vents. Providing a 40 mm suspension drop is the company’s electronic suspension module, while the original wheels have been replaced by Collection forged wheels measuring 10×22-inches and wrapped in 295/30 ZR 22 tyres.
Moving inside, German upholstery specialist Reinald Mattes Interieurtechnik was called upon to work its magic on the cabin, fitting four separate sport seats featuring carbon fibre shells and electronic tilting and sliding mechanisms on the front items. Specific requirements are left to potential customers, but this particular model wears a combination of lipstick-red and black leather and Alcantara.
Beneath the hood of this special SUV, the biturbo 4.8-litre V8 engine receives larger turbocharger units, new manifolds and exhaust, a sport air filter, revised air intake system and optimized ECU software. Those changes result in a rise from 368 kW (500 hp) and 700 Nm of torque to 493 kW (670 hp) and 890 Nm, enough for a 0-100 km/h time of 4.4 seconds and a top speed in excess of 300 km/h (186 mph).
Prices start at £395,000 (€493,950).
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