It’s hard to picture now, but back in the early 2000s, high-performance luxury SUVs were extremely rare — almost taboo — as sedans dominated the roads. Everything changed when Porsche introduced the Cayenne, and now the company is looking to shake up the segment once again with its first fully electric Cayenne. The Cayenne Electric follows months of teasers showcasing its technology, including a massive curved touchscreen and wireless charging capabilities that allow the battery to be charged without plugging in.

The headline, however, is its staggering performance. The Cayenne Turbo Electric produces a maximum 850kW (1,140bhp) and 1,500Nm of torque, making it Porsche’s most powerful production vehicle ever, even surpassing the Taycan Turbo GT. With Launch Control engaged, the Cayenne Turbo Electric rockets from 0–100 km/h in just 2.5 seconds and reaches 0–200 km/h in 7.4 seconds, before being electronically limited to a top speed of 260 km/h. Even in regular conditions, the car’s standard output of 630kW is impressive.

Power comes from dual electric motors driving all four wheels, enhanced by motorsport-derived technology. The rear motor benefits from direct oil cooling to maintain consistent power and efficiency. For those who don’t need extreme performance, the standard Cayenne Electric delivers up to 300kW, with Launch Control boosting it to 325kW and 835Nm of torque. It can accelerate from 0–100 km/h in 4.8 seconds, with a top speed of 230 km/h. Porsche also emphasizes energy recuperation, drawing on expertise from Formula E. The Cayenne Electric can recover up to 600kW when decelerating, meaning around 97% of braking can be handled through regenerative braking. Buyers can opt for carbon-ceramic brakes on the Turbo Electric for additional stopping power.

Both models come with advanced driving tech, including Porsche Traction Management (ePTM), adaptive air suspension with PASM, and optional rear-wheel steering and Porsche Active Ride. The Cayenne Turbo Electric also features a limited-slip rear differential to handle its immense power. The SUV is built on an 800-volt platform with a large 113kWh battery, offering WLTP ranges of 642 km for the standard model and 623 km for the Turbo. Rapid DC charging supports up to 390kW, taking the battery from 10% to 80% in just 16 minutes, with Porsche noting that optimal conditions can exceed 400kW. Wireless charging is optional, providing up to 11kW simply by parking over an inductive floor plate.

Despite its tech and power, the Cayenne Electric also showcases updated styling. The front is marked by prominent wheel arches and the signature four-point headlights, while the rear is cleaner, highlighted by a full-width light bar with illuminated Porsche lettering. Turbo Electric models receive special “Turbonite” accents. Aerodynamics are impressive for a SUV of this size, with a drag coefficient of just 0.25Cd, aided by air curtains, a sealed underbody, aero wheels, and a rear diffuser. Active elements such as movable cooling flaps and an adaptive roof spoiler optimize performance and range. The Turbo Electric additionally features active aeroblades at the rear to improve airflow and efficiency at high speeds.

The new Cayenne is also larger than its predecessors — 55mm longer with a wheelbase increase of nearly 13cm — allowing more rear passenger space and cargo capacity, including a 90-liter frunk and a 781-liter rear boot. Inside, the Cayenne Electric debuts the ‘Porsche Driver Experience’ with a heavily digitalized cockpit. The centerpiece is a curved OLED touchscreen integrated into the center console, paired with a 14.25-inch driver display, and optional 14.9-inch passenger display and AR head-up display.

While Porsche will continue selling combustion and hybrid versions of the Cayenne, the electric launch signals a clear focus on EVs. Matthias Becker, Board Member for Sales and Marketing, confirmed that customers across Porsche’s portfolio will have a choice between fully electric and combustion engines. The Porsche Cayenne Electric is now available for order in Singapore, starting at $372,788 for the standard model and $668,288 for the Turbo Electric, excluding COE. Based on Porsche’s approach with the Macan Electric, a new entry-level rear-wheel-drive variant could also appear in the future.