Testing of the next-generation all-electric Porsche Cayenne is under way, with a near-production prototype setting a new hill-climb record at Shelsley Walsh in England.
TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team, Simulator and development driver Gabriela Jílková piloted the camouflaged Cayenne Electric up the 914 metre course, which narrows to 3.5 metres in places and features gradients up to 16.7 per cent.
On her first run, she beat the previous sport utility vehicle record by more than four seconds, completing the ascent in 31.28 seconds and passing the 18.3 metre marker in just 1.94 seconds — an achievement previously reserved for single-seater racing cars on slick tyres.
“The course is challenging and does not forgive mistakes,” said Gabriela Jílková. “There are no run-off zones and little room for correction. But the active suspension gives the new Cayenne enormous stability and precision. I felt completely confident at all times.”
The prototype was fitted with Porsche Active Ride, an active chassis system that keeps the body level during braking, steering and acceleration by balancing wheel loads.
Porsche vice president responsible for the Cayenne Michael Schätzle said Porsche Active Ride “significantly expands the range between driving dynamics and ride comfort in the new Cayenne.”
He confirmed that the record-breaking vehicle’s drive power and equipment were already at production level, although final tuning continues ahead of the model’s market launch.
Porsche also demonstrated the Cayenne Electric’s everyday utility by towing a more than two-tonne vintage car on a trailer weighing some three tonnes.
British TV presenter Richard Hammond drove the prototype from Hereford to his garage without difficulty. “We were trailing significant weight behind us, but you wouldn’t know it – the Cayenne handled it effortlessly,” he reported.
The Cayenne Electric combines the brand’s long-standing versatility with a sixth-generation electric powertrain.
Its high-voltage battery uses cylindrical cells offering 20 per cent greater energy density than previous prismatic cells and contributes to the vehicle’s structure.
The new SUV will charge at up to 400kW, adding more than 350 km of range in ten minutes, and deliver up to 800km of range under WLTP testing.
An intelligent charging flap detects approaching charging points and opens automatically, and bidirectional Vehicle-to-Load, Vehicle-to-Home and Vehicle-to-Grid functions will support on-site power supply and home-energy integration.
Porsche plans the Cayenne Electric world premiere at IAA Mobility 2025 in Munich in September and production at its Debrecen, Hungary plant from late 2025.
The camouflaged prototype will appear next at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the UK from July 10-13.
