Porsche is generating excitement with its soon-to-arrive electric Cayenne. The SUV has already broken hillclimb records, and shown some serious towing capability, even prior to arriving at dealerships! Regardless if you are a Porsche fan or just EV-curious, here is a breakdown of what makes this upcoming EV a performance statement—not just hype.
Conquering the Hillclimb at Shelsley Walsh
Porsche sent a camouflaged Cayenne EV prototype up the legendary Shelsley Walsh hill in England—a narrow, twisty 1,000-yard ascent with a steep 16.7% gradient. Driven by Formula E development racer Gabriela Jílková, the SUV raced the hill in 31.28 seconds, wiping more than four seconds off the previous SUV record set by a Bentley Bentayga W12 What’s even more jaw-dropping? Its 0–60‑yard acceleration came in 1.94 seconds, matching high-performance single-seat race cars—even though it was on regular summer tires
This Cayenne Handles Like a Sports Car
How does a heavy SUV achieve that? Porsche's Active Ride adaptive suspension, already in the Taycan, does the trick. This sophisticated system helps ensure the Cayenne EV remains flat and planted, reducing body roll and pitch—even during aggressive cornering and heavy acceleration. Combine that technology with the low center of gravity of the EV, and this thing has the agility of a sports car—and confidence inspiring flatness at hillclimb-level performance.
Not Just Fast—Impressively Practical Too
Moving on from performance, Porsche wanted to demonstrate the Cayenne EV could also demonstrate real-world utility. Here comes Richard Hammond taking the prototype and drawing a brand new classic car plus trailer (3 tons (~7,716 lbs total) with no effort at all. Porsche plans to match the towing capability of the ICE Cayenne at 3.5 tonnes, making it one of the more capable electric SUVs to date.
Power & Tech: Under the Surface
Porsche hasn't officially stamped the specs, but early indications suggest the Cayenne EV will produce more horsepower than the top ICE Turbo E-Hybrid – 730 hp. It's built on the PPE (Premium Platform Electric)—an 800-volt architecture and core mechanical components with the Macan EV, albeit tuned for larger, higher-performance SUVs Expect a combination of intense charging capabilities, instant torque, and nuanced dynamics that today's EV buyers expect.
Porsche Cayenne EV Specs at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
| Hillclimb Time | 31.28 sec at Shelsley Walsh |
| Zero–60 yd Acceleration | 1.94 sec |
| Towing Capacity | ~7,716 lbs (3,500 kg) |
| Suspension | Active Ride adaptive system |
| Platform | PPE, 800-volt architecture |
| Estimated Power Output | > 730 hp |
| Expected Range (WLTP) | ~310 miles (Macan EV base) with likely upgrade |
| U.S. Launch | Late 2025 (Model Year 2026) |
Final Thoughts
Porsche didn't just electrify the Cayenne; they glammed it up. By combining exhilarating performance with real-world usability, the Cayenne EV is raising the bar for luxury electric SUVs. It's not just a proclamation — it is an endorsement that all EVs can be everything we want: exhilarating, capable, and functional. If you've been waiting for a true new-age EV that doesn't compromise, this looks like it has sealed the deal.
Source(Image / Thumbnail): carscoops
