One of the world’s most powerful  on-road and off-road ambulances has been developed in Germany.
It was a true test of coach-building and engineering skills for the 15 trainees of Porsche AG in Stuttgart who converted a Cayenne S into a modern deployment vehicle for rescue workers. The prototype will be used by Health and Safety Services.
The interior of the original production vehicle from the first Cayenne generation was completely modified. The rear seat and passenger seat had to give way to an aluminium frame construction, onto which the stretcher can be slid through the tailgate of the vehicle.
A seat for the emergency doctor was set up adjacent to the stretcher. The modified Cayenne S provides the doctor with highly modern medical equipment for administering first aid to the patient. Among other equipment, an EKG with a defibrillator an electroshock device for treating patients with ventricular fibrillation, an electrical suction pump, an emergency backpack and various rescue tools are included.
The manoeuvrable vehicle considerably improves the chances for rescue in difficult terrain. Thanks to a permanent all-wheel drive with reduction gears and a locking central differential, a versatile off-road chassis and high ground clearance, the vehicle also reaches remote locations off the beaten track and can handle slopes of up to 45 degrees. A further advantage is its air suspension including the Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) adaptive dampening system - this permits especially careful transport of patients.
The idea for the concept of the Cayenne emergency vehicle came from Porsche Health Management. The industrial physicians have given the trainees the task of building four emergency vehicles, which are destined for the Porsche plants in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen and Weissach in Baden-Württemberg as well as the Leipzig plant. The Cayenne will also be stationed at the Porsche test track in Weissach.
Porsche trainees have since gained extensive experience in equipping special vehicles. Six Cayennes have already been prepared with different equipment for use in fire fighting, plant security and Health and Safety Services.
“Every vehicle is unique with very special solutions,” says the head of Porsche Training Dieter Esser.
 These special projects permit cross-divisional teamwork with the experience of mechanical designers, electronic specialists, vehicle equipment assemblers and painters. The challenging task which requires coach-building skills and precise work motivated the young men and women to succeed.”