Porsche begins road tests with electric Cayenne
As a BEV, the fourth generation of the Cayenne is based on a “comprehensive further development” of the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) with 800-volt architecture. Porsche will use the PPE for the first time in the new Macan, which will only be available in all-electric form in Europe. We have provided technical background information on the PPE in this article.
Porsche only hints at the areas where the PPE will be developed further. “The flexibility of the PPE architecture allows us to integrate the latest technology in the fields of high-voltage systems, powertrain and chassis. We are going to utilise the potential of electrification to take the Cayenne to a completely new level in a number of ways – for instance, in driving performance,” says Michael Steiner, Member of the Executive Board for Research and Development at Porsche AG. In addition to “familiar Porsche driving characteristics, the development targets include high-capacity and stable charging, high efficiency, and a high level of comfort and everyday usability.”
The first prototypes were built after an “extended phase of digital development and testing” and have already completed their first test kilometres on the test track at the development centre in Weissach, Germany. In the meantime, the vehicles also travel on country roads around the town, as the photo shows. “The real-world testing has begun, and this is one of the most important milestones of the development process,” says Michael Schätzle, Vice President Product Line Cayenne.
However, Porsche also confirms what had been leaked shortly beforehand. The carmaker plans a “trio of powertrains for the Cayenne into the next decade,” meaning it will be available as a BEV, a hybrid and with a combustion engine. The current Cayenne generation, which received one of the most extensive product upgrades in Porsche’s history last year, will “be further developed with major technological investment in the future,” the carmaker says. That also includes the drive systems, especially the V8 built at Porsche in Zuffenhausen. Porsche says it “will ensure that the twin-turbo engine is ready to comply with future legislative requirements.” However, the manufacturer does not specify how much this will cost.
Instead, Porsche boss Oliver Blume emphasises that the fourth Cayenne generation, as a newly developed model, will “significantly” support the ramp-up of electric mobility at Porsche. Porsche says it is committed to electric mobility. Nevertheless, in line with what was previously leaked, Blume qualifies the EV quota: “Our product strategy could enable us to deliver more than 80 per cent of our new cars fully electrified in 2030 – depending on the demand of our customers and the development of electromobility in the regions of the world,” says Blume. Previously, Porsche wanted to deliver 80 per cent electric vehicles, but now it only “could” do so – if customers go along with it.
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