Currently still in its prototype form, the Porsche Cayenne Electric is the sports carmaker's third full electric vehicle (EV) in its lineup, following the Porsche Taycan and the Porsche Macan Electric that were launch in 2020 and 2024 respectively.
The sports carmaker's first effort - the Taycan - felt and drove like a four-door 911, albeit a big one. It was well-made, well-engineered and most certainly well... good.
The Macan Electric, on the other hand, was a definitely a harder project, considering it was an additional variant to an existing model rather than just an expansion of the range. But as you and I have come to know, Porsche pulled off navigating through the stormy seas, and made the electric Macan a delightful premium compact SUV.
Now, the all important model, Cayenne. Dubbed the E4 internally, Porsche seems to be throwing all the good stuff into it. From active ride control and cutting-edge LG-supplied battery, to an all new cabin user interface and impressive wireless charging (yes, you read that right), the Porsche Cayenne Electric is nothing short of exceptional.
Here's what we found out so far:
1. Same successful formula
Similar to the Macan BEV as well as the Audi Q6 e-tron SUV, the Porsche Cayenne Electric will also be based on the Premium Platform Electric architecture. The Volkswagen Group's 800V platform has obviously been lengthened to cater to both the generous frunk and trunk space, allowing the SUV to provide continuity in terms of functionality.
While the figures are not finalised yet due to its current prototype stage, the new electric SUV is expected to have close to 700 litres of hauling capacity with all five seats in place and over 1,500 litres with the rear seats knocked down. Frunk space, unfortunately, is also currently not available, but it’s expected to be around the range of 100 litres.
2. All four wheels activated, only
As expected, the premium all-electric SUV, as told to us, will only be available as an all-wheel drive, which means there will not be a single motor variant. There will also be an enormous 130kWh battery pack that will see to over 600km of range on a full charge for the car. Best part of all, you can now charge the car wirelessly.
And because of the new battery design, each of the 192 cell can be individually repaired without the need to remove the battery from car. Intriguingly yet impressively, the estimated time of the battery repair for the Cayenne Electric is merely an astonishing hour.
3. Quick, quicker, quickest
Also astonishing is how fast the SUV can cover ground. Sure, electric cars are expected to be fast nowadays, especially those equipped with dual motors, but the new Porsche SUV - with all the tech weighing it down, mind you - accelerates quick and hard enough to make the g-force hit you like a roller coaster.
Nought to 100km/h is completed is less than 3.0 seconds, and to 200km/h in less than 8.0 seconds. While it's understandable that reading this have no impact on you whatsoever, this pint-sized writer had the opportunity to be a passenger in the car on the track during a launch control and I'm obligated to report that the acceleration of the SUV from a standstill will embarrass even a low-slung two-seater supercar at the lights.
4. Driving it as a passenger
Unfortunately, as a prototype, I couldn't drive the Cayenne Electric. But what I did experience was simply sheer composure and agility. Every braking corner and every turn and every acceleration are all completed in a dramatic fashion, like as if a supercar is in action.
And despite it being an SUV, body roll is down to the minimal, all thanks to the Porsche Active Ride - a Porsche speak for active ride dampening system. This said system uses an electric hydraulic pump and sensors to adjust each damper up to 13 times per second, ensuring dynamic stability regardless of the ground level and speed you're going.
Of course, this simply means extreme comfort for all on board the car and mad fun around the track with a clean, precise and balanced behaviour.
5. Preposterous power, ludicrous torque
Speaking of track, it would be almost pointless without ample power and torque on tap. Here, the Porsche Cayenne Electric is capable of 805bhp on a regular basis. Once on Overboost mode, hell is unleashed with 1,073bhp and 1,500Nm of twisting force. These figures are sent to all four wheels, allowing the car to finish the nought to 100km/h sprint in less than 3.0 seconds.
The result is something that's absolutely bonkers. Late braking (oh, and I literally mean very late) is done with poise, while early acceleration is performed in such a fluent manner that you such to wonder if such an SUV can genuinely exist.
The Porsche Cayenne Electric is slated to arrive in Singapore at the fourth quarter of next year.
