Porsche is expected to start selling its long-awaited electric Cayenne SUV early next year, adding to its existing line-up of pure electric Taycan and Macan models with an EV version of one of the German marque’s most successful cars.
Ahead of a full production model arriving next year, Porsche invited us to its facility in Leipzig, Germany, to get under the skin of the latest electric model and demonstrate that the company is still pushing electrification, despite its recent decision to offer internal combustion engine cars well into the 2030s.
### Impressive Performance and Specifications
The Cayenne’s headline figures are mightily impressive. The development of its 800V electrical architecture now enables 400kW charging speeds. Revised battery technology has improved the range, pushing almost 400 miles on a single charge. The most potent models will develop in excess of 1,000bhp and 1,500Nm of torque.
Unsurprisingly, those working closely on the project say it will be the most powerful production Porsche to date, with a 0-62 mph sprint time of less than three seconds. I put the latest generation of launch control to the test, and it was so ferocious, I’d happily never do it again.
### Revolutionary Interior and Technology
In addition to pure performance, Porsche is introducing an all-new interior, complete with the largest array of digital displays ever seen in any Porsche, as well as the world’s first example of 11kW wireless induction charging for EV top-ups without the need for cables.
#### On the Big Screen
While large digital displays are increasingly common, the upcoming Cayenne EV will feature the largest array Porsche has ever offered—50% more screen real estate than the outgoing model.
The novel ‘Flow Display’ consists of a 14.25-inch driver-focused OLED that blends into a curved central screen, internally dubbed the “stage.” This single piece of glass is digitally split in two, allowing for two distinct spaces. Important functionality is mapped to the lower portion of the screen, enabling Porsche’s mapping or Apple CarPlay to continually reside in the upper section.
This clever setup allows users to simultaneously use Apple CarPlay while keeping key car functions, such as air conditioning or lighting, accessible via pinned and customizable widgets—without leaving the CarPlay or Android Auto environment.
While Porsche board member and IT boss Sajjad Khan didn’t completely rule out handing over full control to Apple CarPlay Ultra, the system’s design currently favors integrated, seamless interaction.
Additionally, Porsche has increased the passenger display to 14.9 inches, occupying more dash real estate and bringing the total screen space to a whopping 87 inches. Though it doesn’t feel traditionally Porsche—with its crisp analogue design—the information and graphics from the main stage screen flow beautifully into the passenger display, creating a unified visual experience. It feels less in-your-face than the latest Mercedes-Benz Superscreen.
The company did not provide extensive details about the computing power powering the infotainment system, but Khan explained that Porsche is continually pushing for greater edge computing. By beefing up the chips on the vehicle itself, the system avoids reliance on cloud data, speeding up infotainment decision-making.
“In today’s world, everything is cloud-fed. But using SLMs, we can now predict the availability of charging stations drivers will pass in, say, 20 minutes, with over 95% accuracy,” Khan explained. This reduces the need to constantly fetch sometimes unreliable live data.
### Porsche’s Powerhouse SUV
The Cayenne has long been the versatile model that does it all: ferry the family in comfort, deliver exciting driving thrills, tow heavy loads, and look good while doing it. The EV version has to meet all these demands and more to convince buyers.
Beyond the impressive power and performance figures, translating electric propulsion into a genuinely enjoyable driving experience is key. Porsche says this model will be the first of its electric SUVs to use the marque’s active suspension management system, featuring electronically-controlled dampers that make continual adjustments.
Following in the footsteps of the Taycan and the recent Panamera (which debuted the system), Porsche engineers demonstrated total control over each corner of the Cayenne. The system manages almost 2.5 tonnes of SUV with incredible accuracy, enabling racing circuit laps, drifting around corners, and a generally spirited driving experience—as well as tackling off-road conditions and smoothing motorway journeys.
The model can tow up to 3.5 tonnes, delivering strong versatility alongside its range capabilities.
The enhanced regenerative braking system can feed up to 600kW back into the battery. Thanks to improved battery cooling—equivalent to 100 domestic refrigerators—the Cayenne supports charging speeds up to 400kW, allowing a 10-80% charge in less than 16 minutes.
The powerful cooling system can get noisy under full charging load, so Porsche has introduced a stealth charging mode that minimizes fan noise during public nighttime charging sessions.
### Cutting-Edge Technology That Charges Ahead
Much of Porsche’s battery and infotainment technology debuted on the latest Macan EV, but the upcoming Cayenne builds upon and intensifies that platform.
The AI voice assistant is slicker, faster to respond, and more knowledgeable than before. It’s now possible to connect Bluetooth peripherals and even game using either the central or passenger display when parked.
Further emphasizing its technological prowess, Porsche offers an 11kW wireless inductive charging pad as an optional extra. Priced around €7,000 (approximately $9,500 / AU$14,200), this package includes both the charging pad and the vehicle-mounted receiver.
I tested the system, which integrates with the park assist function to guide the driver into position. The wireless charging pad is registered to the vehicle and automatically recognized on approach. Guiding lines appear as a digital overlay on the video feed from the front-facing cameras, making alignment straightforward.
When a small green ball appears within a digital zone over the pad, charging begins automatically at speeds up to 11kW—which matches most domestic wall boxes.
Safety sensors built into the pad detect if anything or anyone climbs onto it during charging, immediately shutting off power for protection.
Although initial uptake of this wireless charging package may be limited to early adopters, it’s a neat addition to an already sleek and advanced EV package.
### Looking Ahead: The Pinnacle of Porsche’s EV Knowhow
The upcoming electrified Cayenne represents the pinnacle of Porsche’s EV expertise for now. It comes at an important time, as the company recently announced a major rethink of its EV strategy.
Plans to offer an ultra-luxury SUV sitting above the Cayenne exclusively as an EV have been scrapped in favor of including an internal combustion engine. This shift responds to slower-than-expected growth in demand for exclusive battery-electric vehicles.
All hopes are pinned on the Cayenne EV to turn those fortunes around.
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