Porsche plans to launch its second PPE-based electric SUV, following the Macan, in November. It will not present a production model of this Cayenne EV at the IAA in Munich, but further technical details of the electric Cayenne have now emerged, showing clear differences from the Macan.

Porsche has been promoting the next-generation Cayenne for some time. It will be fully electric and based on the Premium Platform Electric (PPE), while the current combustion and hybrid models will continue production with further updates.

Last year, Porsche sent lightly camouflaged prototypes for road tests and even demonstrated one at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, without revealing detailed specifications. Now, journalists were allowed to take the passenger seat in the prototype alongside program manager Michael Schätzle.

Reports from these drives in different media reveal details of the internally named “E4” model, representing the fourth Cayenne generation. While PPE models such as the Macan and Audi Q6 e-tron and A6 e-tron are already on the market, the electric Cayenne is not simply a larger vehicle with identical technology, but includes several technical upgrades.

Charging up to 400 kW, 600 km range

The battery pack will have an energy content of 113 kWh (108 kWh usable), compared with 100 kWh (95 kWh usable) in the Macan and Audi models. It features an enhanced liquid-cooling system with two cooling plates in the battery pack, whereas the Macan has only one.

The significantly more powerful cooling system is intended to help increase the maximum charging power from the Macan’s 270 kW to up to 400 kW at peak. It would make the Cayenne even more capable than some of the fast-charging stations available today, which are still designed for 300 or 350 kW.

However, if the charging station is compatible and can provide sufficient power, the Cayenne should be able to charge from 10 to 80% in 15 minutes. In ten minutes, enough electricity for 300 WLTP kilometers should flow into the battery.

According to reports, the Cayenne will only be available with the 113 kWh battery at launch, offering a range of more than 600 km (WLTP) in the top variant. It is not yet known whether smaller batteries will follow later, as was the case with Audi.

Only all-wheel drive

However, the Cayenne will only be available with all-wheel drive and two electric motors, whereas the Macan is also available with rear-wheel drive in the basic version. Even the basic Cayenne is expected to offer well over 300 kW of power with its two motors.

As with the Macan and the Taycan, Porsche will continue using permanent-magnet synchronous motors with hairpin windings in the stator. Some reports suggest that the front axle motor remains unchanged from the Macan, while the rear motor has undergone further development.

Higher-output versions may replace water-jacket cooling with oil cooling, and the Cayenne will feature a two-speed gearbox at the rear, unlike the Macan but comparable to the Taycan.

Three power variants are expected: a base model (possibly called the Cayenne 4) with around 300 kW, a (potentially) Cayenne 4S with 450 to 515 kW, and a top-spec model, likely called Cayenne Turbo, delivering over 735 kW (or 1,000 hp) in Launch Control mode.

This would leave Porsche room in its naming scheme for other familiar variants such as the GTS, Turbo S, or Turbo GT. However, model line manager Schätzle stated that the number of variants for the Cayenne should be kept “within narrow limits”, and not, as with the Taycan, for example, develop virtually every possible variant.

Sports genes, but capable of towing 3.5 tons

With its advanced, oil-cooled drive units, the Turbo variant is expected to accelerate from 0 to 100 kph in less than three seconds and reach 200 kph in less than ten seconds, despite a claimed kerb weight of “just under three tonnes”.

On the one hand, the Cayenne is set to become “the sports car among SUVs” and, in addition to its high performance, will also score points with a sporty chassis featuring electric servomotors on the dampers and rear-axle steering with a steering angle of up to five degrees. As an SUV, the Cayenne must also offer various off-road features while remaining suitable for everyday use.

As the dimensions exceed the current values, there should be more space not only in the interior (especially in the second row) but also in the load compartment: the boot is to increase by 99 liters, and there will also be a 90-liter frunk under the bonnet (despite the electric motor of the all-wheel drive). According to reports, the Cayenne is also expected to have a towing capacity of 3.5 tonnes.

Porsche will not release all the exact details or the prices until the Cayenne’s world premiere in November. For sure, it won’t be cheap; that’s why the Zuffenhausen-based company is also keeping the current Cayenne on the market and will carefully consider the reaction of potential clients.