One of the most premium car brands in the world has introduced its first fully electric SUV, marking a major shift for a company long known for its petrol engines.
Porsche has unveiled its new electric Cayenne, which combines the carmaker’s traditional focus on performance with modern battery technology.
The SUV is designed to handle a wide range of driving conditions and can move smoothly through city traffic, cover long distances on the motorway, and manage rougher terrain when needed.
Oliver Blume, Chairman of Porsche AG’s Executive Board, stated that the electric Cayenne delivers “performance in a completely new dimension,” utilising technologies developed in motorsport.
He added that the model sets new standards for handling and charging in the ever-growing SUV category.
Although the powertrain has changed, Porsche emphasised that the electric Cayenne remains just as practical as earlier versions, which have been successful worldwide.
At the top of the range is the Cayenne Turbo Electric, which produces an impressive 850kW and 1,500Nm of torque when Launch Control is activated.
These figures make it one of the most powerful production vehicles Porsche has ever built, with the SUV able to accelerate from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in 2.5 seconds and reach 200km/h (124mph) in 7.4 seconds, with a top speed of 260km/h (161mph).
The new electric SUV will be priced at £83,200
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Under normal driving conditions, the system provides 630kW, and the Push-to-Pass function adds up to 130kW for 10-second boosts.
The Turbo model features direct oil cooling for its rear-axle electric motor, a technique borrowed from racing to ensure steady performance and efficiency.
The standard electric Cayenne delivers 300kW during everyday driving and increases to 325kW when Launch Control is used. Both versions rely on a newly developed 113kWh high-voltage battery with cooling on both sides to keep temperatures stable.
The standard electric Cayenne offers a maximum range of up to 642km (398 miles), while the Turbo provides a range of up to 623km (387 miles).
The model will have an impressive range of almost 400 miles
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Charging has also been upgraded with the 800-volt architecture, allowing for fast charging at 390kW, and under certain conditions, it can reach up to 400kW.
With the right charger, the battery can go from 10 to 80 per cent in under 16 minutes, with a quick 10-minute charge adding around 325 kilometres (201 miles) of range.
Porsche is also introducing wireless inductive charging. This optional 11kW system lets drivers park over a floor-mounted plate to start charging automatically.
At launch, Porsche will offer two electric Cayenne variants, both equipped with all-wheel drive and Porsche Traction Management.
The new electric SUV boasts superior charging capabilities
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Matthias Becker, Member of the Board of Management, Sales and Marketing, said: “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.”
He explained that this strategy also applies to Porsche’s entire model portfolio, which aims to allow customers to have the choice between fully electric and combustion-engined powertrains in the future.
The Cayenne Electric is expected to arrive in the UK next year, with prices starting at £83,200, while the Turbo comes in at £130,900.