Porsche has not lost faith in electric vehicles. Even though Taycan sales fell 49% last year and continued to drop by 6% in the first half of 2025, Zuffenhausen is pressing ahead with its EV agenda. The company is encouraged by the early success of its second-generation Macan, as the electric-only model has made the luxury crossover the best-selling car through June. Some of that success is attributed to the first-gen gas model, which is still available outside Europe, but the EV is outselling its ICE predecessor.
With the upcoming Cayenne Electric, Porsche hopes to replicate the success of its smaller sibling. Ideally, the Volkswagen Group brand aims to mimic the popularity of the gas-powered Cayenne, which has effectively printed money for the company since its debut in 2002. Ahead of its official debut later this year, Porsche is making some bold promises for the fourth-generation, electric-only model:
Photo by: Porsche
“Porsche will not only showcase the prototype there [at the IAA Mobility show in Munich] but also present a technical innovation set to help shape the future of fully electric driving – and make it even more comfortable.”
Those are bold words for what will be an electric SUV entering an already highly competitive segment. A near-production prototype was showcased over the weekend at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, following a recent record-setting run at the Shelsley Walsh hill climb. On both occasions, Gabriela Jílková, simulator and development driver for the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team, was behind the wheel of the electric Cayenne.
Although Porsche hasn’t disclosed full technical specifications, it claims the Cayenne Electric covers 60 feet (18.3 meters) from a standstill in just 1.94 seconds. Former Top Gear and Grand Tour co-host Richard Hammond recently shared some insights, including that it will be the most powerful Cayenne ever, surpassing the already bonkers 729-hp Turbo E-Hybrid. “Hamster” also learned that the luxury electric SUV will tow up to 7,716 pounds (3,500 kilograms) and will be slightly larger than the current model.
As for how Porsche will make it more comfortable, the company is likely referring to its suspension wizardry. The prototype shown at Goodwood was equipped with the Porsche Active Ride system, which keeps the body level at all times. It’s not the first model to receive this tech, as it has been available in the Taycan and Panamera since last year. In those vehicles, ZF supplies the adaptive dampers that make 13 adjustments per second, delivering a buttery-smooth ride.
Photo by: Porsche
Photo by: Porsche
We’ll have to wait until after the IAA Mobility Show to see the Cayenne Electric without camouflage. The car heading to Munich will still be a prototype. The production model will debut at a dedicated event on the West Coast, scheduled for closer to the end of 2025. Originally, the first gas-free Cayenne was supposed to arrive after the 718 EVs, but that plan has been reversed. The electric Boxster and Cayman will now follow in 2026 at the earliest.
Porsche won’t retire the ICE Cayenne once the EV version launches. Gasoline and hybrid variants will remain in production well into the 2030s, and the same goes for the Panamera and 911. As for the Macan, the first-gen model will be discontinued next year, though a new gasoline-powered crossover is in development for release closer to the end of the decade. A larger, three-row electric SUV is still in the pipeline, and it may also feature gas engines.
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