Porsche Cayenne Electric: a high-tech SUV with outrageous power

A true high-tech lounge on four wheels, driven by an utterly wild powertrain: the first electric Cayenne does nothing by halves.

Porsche has its traditions: naturally aspirated flat-six engines that scream their lungs out, SUVs that can be driven harder than coupés, timeless styling-especially the Porsche 911-and chassis built to withstand every demand. The all-new Porsche Cayenne Electric is the worthy successor to that lineage, only without the smell of petrol.

It is a kind of 100% electric luxury Panzer that has become… the most powerful production Porsche in history. Yes, more powerful than every 911 Turbo S, GT2 RS and Weissach prototype. With up to 1,156 hp at peak output, it reaches 0 to 100 km/h in 2.5 seconds and has a top speed of 260 km/h: a supercar wearing an SUV disguise.

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Porsche Cayenne Electric: an electric SUV with explosive performance

In normal driving mode, the Cayenne Turbo Electric-the flagship version-still delivers 857 horsepower, placing it among the most powerful electric SUVs on the market. Select Launch Control, however, and all 1,156 horsepower arrives alongside 1,500 Nm of torque.

Fitted with a “Push-to-Pass” button borrowed from motorsport, a press of this control adds 176 hp at the pedal for 10 seconds. Ideal for overtaking a line of cars on the motorway… or losing your driving licence.

While those figures apply to the premium model, even the “entry-level” version outperforms certain twin-turbo V8s from ten years ago. The standard Cayenne Electric produces 408 hp-or 442 hp with Launch Control-enough to challenge the Tesla Model Y and Model X in their respective segments.

113 kWh battery and rapid charging

Such a torrent of power needed a suitably serious battery, and Porsche has provided one. The Cayenne uses a 113 kWh battery, supports 800 V charging and can accept up to 400 kW, enabling it to go from 10 to 80% charge in under 16 minutes. It can recover around 325 km of range in ten minutes: enough time for a coffee before setting off again for a Lyon-to-Marseille journey.

Add a WLTP range of up to 642 km, Porsche Active Ride suspension that almost eliminates all body movement, rear-wheel steering and ePTM-electronic torque management-which keeps it firmly on its chosen line, and it has everything required to be driven hard on the road or off it. Although it is difficult to picture such an SUV scraping its sills along an off-road trail, it should at least soak up any speed hump and tackle bends as though it did not weigh well over 2.5 tonnes.

A futuristic cabin

Inside, it is an outright technology showcase: the dashboard is dominated by a curved central display-the Flow Display-a 14.25-inch OLED instrument cluster, a passenger display and a Voice Pilot which, according to Porsche’s press release, can understand “complex and interdependent requests, recognises context and responds like a real conversational partner” thanks to AI.

With seats adjustable in every direction, plus heating, ventilation and massage functions, the cabin is a genuine spa on wheels. The Mood Modes can alter the entire lighting or sound atmosphere to suit your mood. It may be slightly gimmicky, but in a cabin this high-tech, it would almost have been disappointing not to find this kind of extravagance.

Naturally, this luxury comes at a cost, and the Cayenne Electric is not within every budget: this is Porsche, after all. The entry-level model starts at €107,600 in France, while the Turbo version rises to €167,200… before options. Open the catalogue to equip the vehicle a little more generously and the bill could comfortably exceed €200,000, especially if you succumb to the signature wheels, special paintwork, interior package and a couple of digital treats you do not need but which Porsche makes irresistible. It is therefore an electric monster that costs an arm and a leg, yet one that may make some people want to find a second one to buy it.