Set to likely debut in 2026, here's what you can expect from Porsche's upcoming all-electric SUV
by Khris Bharath on June 10, 2024, 06:00Hot on the heels of the Macan EV, two test mules of the all-electric Cayenne were spotted testing in the Alps under heavy camouflage. Following the Taycan and the Macan, the Cayenne will be Porsche’s third EV. Now an electrified Cayenne has existed since 2010 in the form of an e-Hybrid variant, but this upcoming Cayenne will be the first to go all-electric. The Cayenne of course is one of the models that saved the Porsche brand and took the performance SUV mainstream. With the brand set to electrify 80% of its model lineup which also includes the 911 by 2030, it comes as no surprise that the German automaker is expediting the electrification of its best-selling models, the Macan and the Cayenne.
The Cayenne EV Represents The Next Chapter Of Porsche’s Flagship SUV
At first glance, you can still spot a few key elements lurking under the heavy camouflage. Up front, you’ll find the adjustable aero flaps, similar to what we recently saw on the 992.2 generation 911. Also, expect to see slimmer headlights as, compared to the current Cayenne. Beyond the lack of tailpipes, changes to the rear end are a lot more difficult to break down at this point, but you can bet there will be some fancy LED taillights back there. Porsche did include a new line for the rear 3/4 glass area, but we can’t be sure if this will make it to the production model as it was just a wrap on a dummy plastic panel.
As for what will power the upcoming Cayenne EV, expect a twin-motor setup similar to the Macan EV. The base Macan EV currently packs a decent 402 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque, while the range-topping Macan EV Turbo goes wild with 630 horsepower and a staggering 833 pound-feet of torque. However, since the electric Cayenne will be a bigger, heavier beast, Porsche will likely crank up the power even further, especially on the top trims. Could a quad-motor Cayenne, similar to the Rivian R1S, be on the cards? Hopefully, but that’s pure speculation for now. While test mules spotted were EVs, just like with the Macan, Porsche should most likely retain the gas-powered Cayenne, offering both flavors to satisfy both the purists and the eco-conscious.
VW Group’s PPR Platform Will Greatly Benefit The Cayenne EV
With regards to charging, the electric Cayenne will benefit from the PPE platform, that currently already underpins its smaller sibling, the Macan EV and the Audi Q6 e-tron. The PPE platform boasts an 800-volt architecture and fancy cell chemistry, which translates to ridiculously fast charging speeds – up to 270 kW. What this means is that you could potentially juice the battery from 10% to 80% in about 20 minutes. Under ideal conditions, Porsche claims you might even be able to squeeze 160 miles of range out of a 10-minute charge. The electric Cayenne is expected to drop sometime in late 2025 or early 2026 and should hit American shores as a 2027 model year. It will take on models like the Tesla Model X, Lucid Gravity, and the Rivian R1S.
Khris Bharath
Khris is a Mechanical Engineer and a classic car aficionado, who adores his Jags, Alfas, and old-school American muscle cars. He keeps tabs on everything from super exotics like an old EB 110 to the latest from Lucid and geeks out on three-row family haulers. Formula One remains very close to his heart, and he diligently makes time to tune in for the Grand Prix on Sundays. Khris also loves his road trips and he prefers a stick shift over an auto. Read full bio
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