It hasn't been long since the Porsche Macan Electric was launched in the UAE. Expect the Porsche Cayenne Electric to be revealed soon. Spy photos of the latter were taken while the car was undergoing rigorous testing in subzero temperatures. However, what matters to us in the UAE are the results of temperatures exceeding 40 and 50 degrees Celsius to see how well this car can withstand extreme weather conditions. In a statement, Porsche CEO Oliver Blume said that the electric Cayenne will debut in late 2025, while we had expected it to be released the year after. However, it is likely to be a 2026 model, and we don't yet know which trim levels will be available, or whether we will see the sportier and higher-performance versions with it immediately. The images show the car partially camouflaged, but its details are clear. The front and rear lighting are similar to those on the Macan and the electric Taycan, making it look like an SUV coupe version of the Taycan. Overall, the electric Cayenne closely resembles the Macan EV, and it's likely to borrow many features, such as its rear-wheel steering.
Well, I tried to compare the Macan and Cayenne EVs, but I couldn't find any differences in the front end. The Cayenne's design may not be complete yet, but it's likely to feature massive front air intakes similar to the Macan's.
At a time when major sports car manufacturers are joining the electric SUV segment, Ferrari is also planning to launch its first electric SUV. Will it be a direct competitor to the electric Porsche Cayenne? Or are they distinct from each other? Speaking of luxury sports SUVs, Bentley's upcoming electric SUV has been spotted disguised under the body of the electric Porsche Cayenne a few months ago. It seems likely that the latter will be the basis for the next Bentley model, platform-wise.
The current Bentley Bentayga and Cayenne share the same platform as the Audi Q8 and Lamborghini Urus. Therefore, it's expected that the electric versions of these two will share the same platform as well.
Although Porsche is accelerating its electric vehicle production, it will continue to produce the internal combustion Cayenne until the 2030s. The company will switch the internal combustion Cayenne platform from the MLB Evo to the Premium Platform Combustion, a platform used for luxury and high-performance vehicles from Volkswagen.
The Premium Platform Electric is the platform upon which the electric Macan and Cayenne are based. The maximum Porsche has achieved so far with this platform is 630 hp and 1,130 Nm of torque in the Turbo version of the Macan EV with Overboost Power system. Imagine what the Turbo version of the Cayenne will achieve.
Given the Cayenne's size, it will likely not come with a single-motor drivetrain, but rather with more than two electric motors. It may offer an electric range exceeding 500 kilometers, and its cabin will feature two or three screens, like the Macan. As for pricing, it will certainly be significantly higher than the internal combustion versions.
Indeed, this is a smart plan from Porsche: keeping the internal combustion versions, while offering an electric version for those who love Porsche's electric performance. This maintains diversity in its production line and slightly postpones this total shift to electric cars. In doing so, it avoided grave mistakes, such as Dodge's mistake when it completely discontinued production of V8 engines, and the electric Daytona did not achieve high sales figures. Perhaps the comparison is not entirely fair, because a Porsche SUV is very different from a muscle car whose essence is its performance and engine. However, I am speaking in general terms about the panic that struck some companies and their haste to transition to electric cars due to strict regulations, while the world was not yet 100% accustomed to them.
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Adrian is an Editor. Psychology graduate with over 4 years in the automotive industry, 3 in front of the camera. Occasionally seen at his family owned tyre shop. He will only buy cars that pass the big bottle test.
