Porsche reveals hybrid SUV with supercar-like power

Five hundred kilowatts. It’s a big number, one historically reserved for fully fledged supercars. But, Europe’s fast-growing performance SUV market is quickly changing the game.

Porsche has unveiled its most powerful Cayenne yet, the Turbo E-Hybrid PHEV – complete with a raft of jaw-dropping numbers. Porsche has also confirmed that the model will be heading to New Zealand, with a late 2023 or early 2024 arrival anticipated.

Let’s cut to the chase. Under the Turbo E-Hybrid’s bonnet is a reworked version of the 4.0-litre V8 from the Cayenne GT Turbo. Where in the GT this 4.0 produces 471kW/850Nm, the E-Hybrid’s electrified 4.0-litre develops a staggering 544kW/950Nm.

Much of this power advantage stems from the addition of a 130kW electric motor. But, perhaps surprisingly, the added power and torque doesn’t result in a quicker 0–100kph time.

Stomp the throttle, and you’ll warp from a standstill to 100kph in 3.7 seconds … four tenths of a second slower than the pure petrol GT. Top speed is rated at 295kph.

Some of this performance deficit comes from the E-Hybrid’s improved and enlarged 25.9kWh battery pack capable of generating up to 82km of pure electric travel on EAER (Equivalent All Electric Range) estimations.

To put the new E-Hybrid in a more appropriate context, it has an almost 10% power advantage over the outgoing Cayenne E-Hybrid. Its battery is larger, too, doubling in size between generations.

New Zealand is set to get the Cayenne E-Hybrid in both traditional SUV form and coupe form. Inevitably, both cop a fairly eye-watering sticker price, with Porsche’s local arm announcing that the SUV will be priced from $309,000 and the coupe from $316,000.

Beyond the straight-line numbers and the dotted line numbers, the E-Hybrid also features some fairly extensive suspension tech. Porsche has fitted the plug-in with a new two-chamber, two-valve air suspension system which allows for separate adjustment of compression and rebound settings.

This tech, according to Porsche, gives the E-Hybrid’s ride characteristics a new level of customisation. Combined with optional rear-axle steering and Porsche’s torque vectoring software, it appears on paper that the E-Hybrid should be a sensational steer.

From a cosmetic perspective, the E-Hybrid is a case of ‘more of the same’.

Inside, it features the same updated Taycan-like cabin from the standard Cayenne and Cayenne GT Turbo. On the outside, meanwhile, it gets the same fascia as the GT Turbo, gloss black trim, red brake callipers, and a brushed aluminium dual exhausts.