Powerful, But Heavy
The new Porsche Cayenne Turbo Electric impresses with its performance, but at the same time raises questions due to its weight. This electric SUV is the most powerful production car in the brand’s history, but its mass is 5,831 pounds (2,645 kg) according to the DIN standard, making it the heaviest road-going Porsche.
Technical Features
Although it’s hard to say whether many Porsche customers were specifically expecting a powerful electric SUV, one cannot deny the impressive figures of the new model. In the Turbo version, the Cayenne Electric generates an incredible 1,139 horsepower and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.5 seconds. These are figures comparable to hypercars, despite it being a full-size luxury SUV with all possible amenities. The manufacturer also claims that in urban conditions, the car can travel up to 785 km on a single charge.
However, like many other high-performance electric vehicles, the main advantage of the Cayenne Electric comes with a significant drawback. Weight remains a serious problem, and in this case, it is very noticeable.
Comparison With Other Models
According to the DIN standard, the mass of the Cayenne Turbo Electric is 5,831 pounds, and according to the latest EU directive, which accounts for a driver weighing 75 kg, this figure increases to 5,997 pounds. This makes it the heaviest road-going Porsche in history. If the engineers from Stuttgart fail to manage such mass, it could become a serious challenge.
For comparison, the new hybrid BMW M5, which has already been criticized for its weight, weighs 5,390 pounds, and the M5 Touring version – 5,530 pounds. The Cayenne Turbo Electric surpasses both models. It is also heavier than the Ford F-150 Raptor, which weighs 5,710 pounds, and is not far behind the Raptor R with a mass of 5,950 pounds. Even standard F-150 versions with a V8 engine, such as the Regular Cab weighing 4,948 pounds and the SuperCrew with 5,038 pounds, seem light compared to the Porsche.
The new electric Cayenne can also be compared to the Hyundai Ioniq 9, which weighs from 5,523 to 5,908 pounds depending on the trim. However, it is worth considering that the Ioniq 9 is a three-row SUV that is longer and wider than the Porsche.
Heavy, But Not The Heaviest
Despite its weight, the Cayenne is still lighter than the Rivian R1S Quad Motor, which reaches an incredible 6,824 pounds. At the same time, the Rivian’s power is 1,025 horsepower, which is less than the Porsche.
The launch of the Cayenne Electric comes at an interesting time for the brand. Previously, Porsche planned to release future Cayman and Boxster models exclusively with electric powertrains, and was also developing a flagship seven-seat SUV under the codename K1, which was also supposed to be electric. However, these plans have changed. The company confirmed that all these future models will be redesigned to use both electric and internal combustion engines.
The increase in mass of electric vehicles, especially in the SUV segment, is becoming an increasingly noticeable phenomenon. Although the Porsche Cayenne Turbo Electric demonstrates impressive technological achievements, its weight may affect handling and efficiency. This raises questions about how automakers will balance power, range, and weight in future developments. For Porsche, this may also mean the need to invest in new materials and technologies to reduce weight without compromising performance.