It looks like after producing Design Edition models for the Cayman and Boxster, Porsche decided it needed a bigger challenger, literally. This time the German company will grab 1000 Cayenne GTSs off the line and use them for the Design Edition 3.

The paintwork follows the same scheme as the other DE cars with stripes in the same hue as the body color. This time its “Lava Grey” paint with black striping and grey 21-inch wheels. Inside there will be plenty of badging to remind owners that their Cayenne is special, as well as plenty of black leather with red stitching. This theme is carried over to the matching watch and luggage.

Unlike the Boxster Design Edition 2, which saw a small increase in power, the Cayanne will be an appearance-only job. Owners will have to cope with the fact that their SUV only makes 405 hp. One element that may be less flattering is that while Porsche lists the standard Cayenne GTS with a 0 to 60 time of 5.7 seconds, this one is listed as taking 6.1 seconds (maybe it was carrying all of the luggage during the test run).

Sales will begin in Germany in May and then spread to the rest of the world. Pricing starts at in Europe at €79,100, and the 100 examples being sent to the U.S. will retail for $89,900.

Press release after the jump

2009 Porsche Cayenne GTS Design Edition 3

Specifications
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  • Model: 2009 Porsche Cayenne GTS Design Edition 3
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Press release

Introducing an exclusive series of models to be produced only in a limited edition, Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, is expanding its successful range of SUVs: Production of the Cayenne GTS Porsche Design Edition 3 with its exclusive features will be limited to just one thousand numbered units.

With this new model, the Cayenne is continuing the innovative design line already initiated successfully with the Cayman S Porsche Design Edition 1 and the Boxster S Porsche Design Edition 2. The clear handwriting of the Porsche Design Studio based in Zell am See, Austria, one of the world leaders in industrial and product design, comes out clearly from the start in the choice of the Cayenne’s paintwork colour, Lava Grey Metallic emphasising the sporting and purist look of the car, design stripes at the side and on the engine compartment lid highlighting the exclusive origin of this very special Cayenne. The 21-inch SportPlus wheels featured as standard are also finished in this special exterior colour.

The elegant look of this new model is rounded off by bi-xenon headlights featured as standard as well as dark privacy glazing to the rear of the B-pillar and the “Cayenne GTS“ model designation in black with a red “S” at the rear. An extended roof spoiler with its double wing profile fixed in position is available at no extra cost.

Exclusive black leather upholstery with red contrasting seams on the instrument panel and doorsills further enhances the appealing looks of the 405-hp Cayenne GTS Porsche Design Edition 3. The padded three-spoke multifunction steering wheel, in turn, raises the car’s unique sporting character to an even higher level.

Electrically adjustable sports seats with a comfort memory package and high-rising side supports offer the driver and front passenger optimum seating comfort and very good support at the sides. The front headrests proudly boast an embossed Porsche logo, the centre seat sections front and rear are finished in slip-proof alcantara. The same material gives parts of the centre console and door linings as well as the inner sections of the door handles and the complete roof lining a discreet but sophisticated touch of class and elegance, while carbon trim bars bear clear and convincing reference to motorsport. The Porsche Design Edition 3 model designation, finally, stands out clearly on the rev counter, the front door entry trim and the placard in the glove compartment with the serial number of the vehicle embossed on the surface.

The unique experience in sound so typical of a Porsche comes, first, at the touch of a button from the sports exhaust system featured as standard and, second, from the Bose 5.1 Surround Sound System with no less than 14 loudspeakers and overall output of 410 W.

Not only this kind of sound, but also the outstanding performance of this special model with its 4.8-litre 500 Nm (369 lb-ft) V8 arouses particular emotions. On the road, this means acceleration from a standstill to 100 km/h with six-speed Tiptronic S featured as standard in the Cayenne GTS Porsche Design Edition 3 in just 6.5 seconds, as well as top speed of 251 km/h or 156 mph.

By tradition, every Porsche Design Edition comes as standard with unique Porsche Design accessories. The Porsche Design Chronograph exclusively matching each model, for example, stands for particular class and style. In the case of the Porsche Design Edition 3, the Porsche Design Studio has created a Type P’6612 automatic chronograph featuring a light titanium casing measuring 42 millimetres in diameter and further enhanced by a metal strap with DLC (diamond-like carbon) coating. This special coating carried over from racing engines gives the titanium body of the watch its characteristic colour, while the exclusive face of the chronograph takes up striking design features from the interior of the Cayenne.

Another perfect match for this very special vehicle is the four-piece luggage set bearing the Porsche Design Edition 3 label and made up of three trolley cases varying in size as well as a functional briefcase. With the exception of the largest trolley case – offering a capacity of 62 litres – all items may be used on aircraft as carry-on travel baggage.

The market launch of the Cayenne GTS Porsche Design Edition 3 in Germany starts at the end of May. The base price in the Euro area including the chronograph and the complete set of cases is Euro 79,100.-, the retail price in Germany including 19 per cent value-added tax and national specifications is Euro 94,344.-.