Porsche’s electric Cayenne shatters records before even going official

In a rather brave move that redefines the auto industry playbook of hiding future models, Porsche has unleashed a prototype of its first all-electric Cayenne. And rather than just cruising city streets, the new SUV is breaking records and proving its mettle in ways most family SUVs could only dream of, suggesting the new Cayenne will be much more than just another electric car.

Long before its official public unveiling, a camouflaged yet near-production-ready Porsche Cayenne EV was put through its paces. At the historic Shelsley Walsh hill climb in the United Kingdom, one of the world's oldest motorsport venues, the electric SUV did more than just show up. With Porsche Formula E development driver Gabriela Jílková at the wheel, the Cayenne EV stormed up the steep 35,984 inches course in 31.28 seconds, obliterating the previous SUV record by more than four seconds.

The prototype, running on standard summer road tires, covered the first 2,165 inches in 1.94 seconds. According to Porsche, that's a time typically reserved for purpose-built, single-seater race cars shod in slick tires. This demonstration hints that the final production version will offer performance that challenges dedicated sports cars, let alone other SUVs.

The secret to this stability and speed on this challenging, narrow course with a gradient of up to 16.7% is Porsche's advanced active suspension - Porsche Active Ride. This system, also found on the new Panamera and Taycan, actively keeps the vehicle's body level during hard braking, acceleration, and cornering, ensuring maximum connection to the road.

While Jílková was busy rewriting the record books, former Top Gear host Richard Hammond was tasked with evaluating a more practical aspect of the Cayenne EV: its towing capability. In a video for the DriveTribe YouTube channel, Hammond hitched a vintage Lagonda, with a combined weight of around 3,999 lb including its trailer, to the electric Porsche. The automaker has confirmed the Cayenne EV will have a maximum towing capacity of 7,716 lb, matching its gasoline-powered counterpart. Hammond noted that despite the significant weight, the prototype handled the load "effortlessly."

Details on the powertrain remain under wraps, but Porsche has confirmed the Cayenne Electric will be the most powerful version in the model's history. This means it will eclipse the 729 horsepower of the current Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid. Hammond himself hinted in his review that the power figure might even climb into four-digit territory. This new electric car will be built on an updated version of the 800-volt Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture, which also underpins the new Macan EV.

The camo-wrapped prototype will make an appearance at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, but for now, Porsche is keeping the final design and official launch date close to its chest. The electric Cayenne is expected to begin deliveries in 2026, which would likely make it a 2027 model in the United States. When it does arrive, it won't immediately replace its predecessor. Porsche plans to sell the electric variant alongside the existing gasoline and plug-in hybrid Cayenne models.

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