Electric Porsche Cayenne debuts with 850kW

Porsche has unveiled its first fully electric Cayenne, delivering record-breaking performance figures more than two decades after the original model launched. The new Cayenne Electric generates up to 850kW and 1500Nm in Turbo specification, making it the most powerful production Porsche ever built.

The electric SUV will arrive in New Zealand in Q3 2026, with the Cayenne Electric priced from $215,000 and the Cayenne Turbo Electric from $295,000. Both models will sit alongside existing combustion-engined and hybrid versions in Porsche’s local range.

Performance figures set new benchmarks

Porsche will launch two all-wheel drive variants, both using electronic Porsche Traction Management (ePTM). The flagship Cayenne Turbo Electric delivers 850kW and 1500Nm with Launch Control active, accelerating from 0–100km/h in 2.5 seconds and reaching 200km/h in 7.4 seconds. Top speed is limited to 260km/h.

The Turbo uses motorsport-derived direct oil cooling for its rear electric motor to sustain high continuous loads. In normal driving it produces 630kW, with an additional 130kW available for 10 seconds via a Push-to-Pass function.

The standard Cayenne Electric generates 300kW in regular driving or 325kW with Launch Control, along with 835Nm of torque. It completes the 0–100km/h sprint in 4.8 seconds and has a top speed of 230km/h.

Advanced charging and range capabilities

Both models feature a 113kWh high-voltage battery with double-sided cooling, delivering WLTP range figures of up to 642km for the Cayenne Electric and up to 623km for the Turbo variant.

The 800-volt architecture enables DC charging at up to 390kW, with peak rates reaching 400kW under optimal conditions. Porsche claims 10–80% charging in under 16 minutes, or approximately 315–325km of range added in 10 minutes.

The electric Cayenne can recover up to 600kW under braking, with the motors handling around 97% of braking events in everyday driving. The Turbo can be optioned with Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes for more demanding use.

Chassis technology and interior advances

Both models feature adaptive air suspension with PASM, while the Turbo adds Torque Vectoring Plus. Optional rear-axle steering provides up to five degrees of adjustment.

A new addition is Porsche Active Ride, the brand’s latest active suspension system designed to virtually eliminate body roll, pitch and squat in the heavy, high-powered SUV.

Inside, the Cayenne Electric introduces the Porsche Driver Experience with a curved OLED Flow Display that arcs into the centre console. This is paired with a 14.25-inch digital instrument cluster, an optional 14.9-inch passenger display, and an AR-enabled head-up display projecting an 87-inch-equivalent virtual image.

Increased practicality for New Zealand use

Electric packaging has allowed Porsche to extend the wheelbase by nearly 130mm to 3023mm, significantly improving rear legroom. The SUV measures 4985mm long, 1980mm wide and 1674mm high.

Boot volume ranges from 781 litres to 1588 litres, plus a 90-litre frunk. Towing capacity reaches 3.5 tonnes depending on specification, addressing New Zealand’s strong recreational towing market.

For local buyers venturing off-road, an Off-Road package offers revised front-end geometry for better approach angles and clearance.

Dual-powertrain strategy continues

Porsche confirms the electric Cayenne will operate alongside combustion and hybrid models well into the next decade.

“Inspiring customers is our top priority at Porsche,” says Matthias Becker, Member of the Board of Management, Sales and Marketing. “With the electrification of the Cayenne, we are reaching a new level of performance that sets standards for the future. At the same time, we will continue to develop the Cayenne with efficient combustion and hybrid drive systems well into the next decade.”

The Porsche Cayenne Electric and Cayenne Turbo Electric are available to order now, with New Zealand deliveries scheduled from early Q3 2026.