The Porsche Cayenne Electric is the firm's most powerful production model ever.
Image: Supplied
The Porsche Cayenne - long hailed as the cash cow that allows the firm to build the sports cars we really hanker after - has gone electric. And somewhat bonkers.
The Porsche Cayenne Electric is a completely new model, forged around the Volkswagen Group’s new PPE platform for premium electric vehicles. It doesn’t share a single component with the current, third-generation Cayenne, which will soldier on in internal combustion form for the foreseeable future, with an update scheduled for 2026.
The Porsche Cayenne electric is, however, not planned for the South African market, for the foreseeable future at least.
As Porsche’s third all-electric model, following in the footsteps of the Taycan Sedan and Macan EV, the new Cayenne Electric is also its most powerful model to date.
It's built around the new PPE platform for premium EVs.
Image: Supplied
The symbolically named flagship Cayenne Turbo has two newly developed electric motors that produce a combined 850kW and 1,500Nm when Launch Control is activated. In that scenario, it sprints from 0-100km/h in just 2.5 seconds and from 0-200km/h in just 7.4 seconds, putting it on par with the Bugatti Veyron hypercar!
For those who can’t handle the g-forces, a tamer ‘entry-level’ Cayenne Electric will also be offered, producing up to 325kW and 835Nm when Launch Control is activated, or 300kW in normal driving scenarios. Still no slouch by any means, the Cayenne can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 4.8 seconds.
Cornering is sorted by Adaptive air suspension and Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), which is standard on both models, while the Turbo also gains the Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus limited-slip rear differential. Rear-axle steering is optional on both models.
Both models are juiced by a 113 kWh high-voltage battery with double-sided cooling for optimal thermal management. The battery enables a WLTP range of up to 642kW in the base model and 623km in the Turbo.
Its 800-volt electrical system has a DC charging capacity of up to 390kW, and Porsche says a charge from 10% to 80% can be achieved in just 16 minutes at the appropriate fast charger.
This is also the first Porsche model to be optionally available with inductive (wireless) charging, albeit at a charging rate of just 11kW.
Riding on a 130mm-longer wheelbase, the new Cayenne Electric is more spacious inside, while the luggage capacity is listed at a generous 781 litres.
Cabin is a breath of fresh air with integrated screens.
Image: Supplied
Designers also put considerable effort into the ambience of the cabin. The sliding panoramic roof has variable light control at the switch of a button, through liquid crystal foil, while the newly introduced Mood Modes adapt the display appearance, lighting, sound programme and even the seating position to the selected theme.
The interface is a newly developed OLED panel that blends seamlessly into the centre console and allows clear separation between the display and control areas. A passenger display is optional.
But perhaps its coolest feature is the new head-up display system with AR technology - it visually represents a 2.2 metre display area up to 10 metres in front of the vehicle.
The new Cayenne also boasts an all-encompassing heating system that not only warms the seats, but panels such as the armrests and door panels too.
The vehicle is highly customisable, with customers able to choose from 12 interior combinations, as wel as up to five interior packages and five accent packages.
"Inspiring customers is our top priority at Porsche. With the electrification of the Cayenne, we are reaching a new level of performance that sets standards for the future. At the same time, we will continue to develop the Cayenne with efficient combustion and hybrid drive systems well into the next decade," said Porsche board member Matthias Becker.
"This strategy also applies to Porsche's entire model portfolio: in every segment in which we are represented, customers will in future have the choice between fully electric and combustion-engined powertrains."
IOL Motoring