Porsche Goes Electric with the 1,000+ HP Cayenne, No Audi Equivalent in Sight

[Source: Porsche]

Porsche just revealed their most powerful production car of all time, and it isn’t even a car. It is an SUV. An all-electric SUV. The Cayenne Turbo Electric makes up to 1,139 horsepower and 1,106 pound-feet of torque. It can accelerate to 60 mph in about 2 seconds flat. Audi has no answer for a vehicle like this. And that might not be a bad thing.

The Porsche Cayenne family just expanded by two with the arrival of the Cayenne Electric and Cayenne Turbo Electric. They join a Cayenne lineup that already includes pure gasoline and hybrid SUVs. As you likely already know these ICE Cayenne models share a platform with Audi models such as the Q7 and Q8. So, it would be reasonable to expect that we will see an Audi version of the Porsche Cayenne EV sometime soon. But that doesn’t appear to be the case.

Cayenne EV Performance

The new Cayenne EV boasts some impressive technology and performance figures. The 0-60 mph time for the Turbo model is estimated to be 2.4 seconds, and the quarter mile dash estimate is just 9.9 seconds. Top speed is 162 mph. The base model which makes up to 435 horsepower with Launch Control, is good for a 0 to 60 mph dash of 4.5 seconds, and a top speed of 143 mph. And Porsche is notorious for sandbagging their acceleration estimates, so it would not surprise us if the Cayenne Turbo Electric hits 60 mph in 2.0 seconds, or possibly even less.

Besides the breathtaking acceleration figures, the Cayenne EVs have a few other tricks up their sleeve. Porsche introduces optional inductive charging for the first time, allowing the Cayenne to charge wirelessly at up to 11 kW simply by parking over a floor plate. On the interior the Flow Display features a curved OLED panel that blends into the center console and allows clear separation between the display and control areas. This is complemented by physical buttons for key controls. There is also a new Mood Modes function. This adjusts the seating position, lighting mood, air conditioning, sound profile and the display appearance depending upon your selection. The new interior surface heating not only warms the seats, but also large areas of contact surfaces such as armrests and door panels.

No Audi Version

Overall, the Cayenne EV seems to have a lot going for it. But there is no clear plan to bring an Audi equivalent to market any time soon. In fact, Audi is going the other way as they have reportedly cancelled the upcoming electric RS 6 Avant e-tron project. They cancelled it, because nobody wanted one. And that is the issue facing many automakers.

The consensus on EVs as a whole has changed since Porsche began developing the Cayenne EV. Not as many buyers are lining up to buy EVs. Porsche themselves have adjusted their strategy to slow the development of EV models and bring more ICE vehicles to market. But the Cayenne EV was already too far down the path to cancel so here it is.

Cayenne EV Sales

It certainly has some impressive features and stats, but will it sell? That is the big question. Porsche fans love speed, and the Cayenne has that covered. But they also love emotion and involvement. Heck, Porsche enthusiasts nearly revolted when the 992.2-generation 911 Carrera introduced a push button start and an all-digital dash for 2025. Of course, the Cayenne is not the 911 but still, Porsche folks really value the emotion the vehicle delivers. And many Audi fans feel the same way.

And Audi knows it. That is why Audi CEO, Gernot Döllner, said the Concept C will likely have a virtual gearbox and possibly synthetic 5-cylinder engine sounds. He knows the importance of EV driving excitement and that it extends beyond mere acceleration times.

If the Cayenne EV becomes a sales sensation, then perhaps we could see Audi react and develop a Q7 equivalent. But for now, the company is taking a more prudent wait and see approach. Tariffs are driving up prices. The EV federal tax credit has expired. And the general interest in EVs is waning. Porsche might have an uphill battle with the new Cayenne EV. And all the horsepower in the world won’t help it up that hill.