Porsche Demonstrates the Performance & Practicality of Its Cayenne Electric
Currently a near-production prototype, the camouflaged Cayenne Electric variant will eventually be added to the existing combustion engine & hybrid lineup…
Worldwide testing of the new, all-electric Porsche Cayenne, which will join the existing Cayenne model lineup that includes hybrids and internal combustion engine models, is currently in progress. As part of the fine-tuning of its second all-electric SUV, Porsche sent a near-production prototype on a record-gathering mission.
Porsche demonstrated the high-performance potential of its upcoming all-electric SUV at the Shelsley Walsh hill climb, which has been running since 1905, making it one of the oldest motorsport events in the world. The near-production prototype of the all-electric Porsche Cayenne took part in a filming project during the British Hillclimb Championship.
Record-Breaking Run of the All-Electric Porsche Cayenne at the Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb
Gabriela Jílková, simulator and development driver for the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team, drove the camouflaged Cayenne Electric up the asphalt hill, which has a steep gradient of up to 16.7% and totals 1,000 yards in length. On her first attempt, Jílková beat the previous record time for an SUV by more than 4 seconds.
“The course is challenging and does not forgive mistakes,” she said afterwards. “There are no run-off zones and little room for correction. But the active suspension gives the new Cayenne enormous precision. I felt completely confident at all times.”
The Cayenne Electric was equipped with Porsche Active Ride. The active chassis keeps the body level at all times, even during dynamic braking, steering and acceleration, and aims to offer an ideal connection to the road through a balanced distribution of wheel loads, stated company officials in a press release. “Porsche Active Ride significantly expands the range between driving dynamics and ride comfort in the new Cayenne,” says Michael Schätzle, vice president of the product line Cayenne.
In addition to the record time of 31.28 seconds, the first measuring point—60 yards beyond the starting line—was passed after just 1.94 seconds. Only single-seater racing cars with slick tires built specifically for this purpose managed this feat at the event. Schätzle assures that the final tuning of the Cayenne Electric is still in full swing ahead of its market launch, “but the drive power and equipment of the record-breaking car were already at production level.”
Towing Capabilities of the Cayenne Electric on Par With ICE Model
Beyond testing the performance of the Cayenne Electric, Porsche also tested its suitability for everyday use. The British TV presenter Richard Hammond used the camouflaged prototype as part of a film shoot to transport a classic car more than 100 years old and weighing more than two tons from his workshop in Hereford to his garage.
The total weight with the trailer came to around three tons, but according to Hammond, the Cayenne Electric mastered the task effortlessly. “We were trailing significant weight behind us, but you wouldn’t know it; the Cayenne handled it effortlessly.”
Porsche has designed the Cayenne Electric to allow a towing capacity of up to 7,716 pounds, depending on the configuration, just like the current, combustion-engined Cayenne. “Our customers have always appreciated the high utility value of the Cayenne,” continues Schätzle. “That’s why we didn’t want to make any compromises in the development of the all-electric model.”
Electrification Sets New Performance Benchmarks for the Cayenne SUV
“Our customers will also have powerful and efficient combustion engine and hybrid models at their disposal well into the next decade, and we are continuing to develop the current model generation at great expense,” says Schätzle. “However, we can only achieve the level of performance publicly demonstrated for the first time in England through the potential of electrification. The Cayenne Electric will set new standards, without compromising on everyday usability and practicality.”
Porsche is planning another public appearance in England with its Cayenne Electric: the camouflaged prototype will be on display at the Goodwood Festival of Speed from July 10-13, 2025.
