LA clash between ancient and modern society is imminent for Porsche. On the one hand, proponents of the thermal engine consider that this is the “essence” of the car; on the other hand, those who call themselves progressive under the pretext of surrendering to the electric siren. Porsche, struggling to get a half-pole result despite up to that point having achieved brash success, decided against it.
It is up to the customer to do so with a model that was born in 2002 and has doubled the brand’s sales, until then limited to two-doors. Updating it is an important capital, because it is still the benchmark after launching, in the previous generation, an 800 volt architecture that allows ultra-fast charging. There’s no point being vigilant on the road if it means losing everything later when you stop to refill. From this point of view, the diesel version remains the champion, because it stops three or four times less frequently than the electric version.
However, especially in France, it is electric cars that are surviving, not because buyers prefer this technique, but simply because thermal cars are being hit by a very debilitating tax. So be wary of comments that want to see a surge in electric car sales as this is a choice forced by taxes that have become so bad they sometimes exceed the value of the vehicle itself. Therefore, for its new Cayenne, Porsche emphasizes electric power, which is a real headache with absolute power records.
From 408 to 1,153 hp
Two models will be launched on the market: Cayenne Electric and Cayenne Turbo Electric, Turbo being only a figure of speech here. But its performance is just as impressive as the 911 of the same name with up to 1,156 hp (850 kW), an astonishing 1,500 Nm of torque and a 0 to 100 km/h time of 2.5 seconds. This is the most powerful Porsche in history. The two-speed gearbox used here, unlike other electric gearboxes, is capable of speeds up to 260 km/h, the permitted speed on certain motorway locations in Germany. The basic version, dare we say it, already produces 408 hp (300 kW), allowing 0 to 100 in just 4.8 seconds and a speed of 230 km/h. The autonomy is the best, according to WLTP standards, a quite good mileage is 642 km.
The Porsche touch is found at various levels, starting with an extraordinary regeneration rate of up to 600 kW, which means that in normal use, 97% of decelerations occur without any action on the brakes. The XL’s 113 kWh dual-cooled battery accepts a charge rate approaching 400 kW that fills the cell by 10 to 80% in 16 minutes. The hassle of plugging and unplugging can be avoided with an induction charging system…if you’re very patient, as it will do so at 11 kW.
To find
Kangaroo today
Answer
With a wheelbase extended by 13 cm and cleverly renovated aesthetic codes, the Cayenne moves away from thermal architecture and aims to join the 36% who have already converted to electric in the sports and luxury car segment. Porsche’s beloved “road feel” was to be rediscovered, further enhanced at the top of the range with variable dampers, a limited-slip differential and four-wheel steering. The polished Michael Mauer design should be a hit on a car approaching 5 meters in height. The 100% electric Cayenne model is available to order now. Prices start at 107,600 euros for the Cayenne and 167,200 euros for the Cayenne Turbo, including VAT.
