Launch of the New Porsche Cayenne Electric
Wishing to impressively present the all-new Porsche Cayenne Electric, the German brand decided to stage a special stunt — and settled on the idea with the world’s largest aircraft. Although it is doubtful whether this is as impressive as the case twenty years ago when VW used a Touareg V10 TDI to tow a Boeing 747, the result is still worth attention.
How It Happened
The event took place at the Mojave Air and Space Port. The center of attention was the Roc aircraft with the largest wingspan on the planet. This machine is so huge that it has two fuselages and can take off with a maximum takeoff weight of up to 1.3 million pounds (589,670 kg).
By the way: the new Porsche Cayenne Coupe EV accelerates to 60 mph as fast as the 911 Turbo S, and at the same time is capable of towing a boat.
Earlier we have seen many videos where supercars drag-raced with fighter jets, but the goal of this stunt was not to squeeze maximum acceleration out of the Cayenne Electric to outrun Roc. Instead, Porsche had to drive behind Roc while it accelerated down the runway before takeoff — this was, according to the company, a “test of precision, stability, and power.”
To ensure the safety of the Cayenne and driver Patrick Long, the SUV had to occupy an ideal position between the two fuselages of the aircraft. If it ended up too far behind, it could be hit by the jet blast from six powerful engines that together produce 340,500 pounds (154,448 kg) of thrust — enough to toss the Porsche into the air. Too close forward — and Long risked colliding with the landing gear.
As Roc accelerated along the strip, Long had to accelerate the Cayenne Electric to 167 mph (269 km/h), and then watch the enormous aircraft take off just a few feet away from him.
Pilot’s Impressions
“This was probably one of the most focused and intense moments of my life,” Long said. “We believed in the data, and I knew I could rely on the Cayenne and the Roc pilots — we had a good team. Working with a fully charged battery, we started slowly — I used minimal power and kept the car exactly where it needed to be. And I was aware that I had enough performance to stay in the right position no matter what.”
Technical Details of the Stunt
The new Cayenne Electric was an obvious choice for this stunt. The flagship version Cayenne Turbo Electric is equipped with two electric motors producing up to 1,138 hp and 1,106 lb-ft (1,500 Nm) of torque. If a lighter car had been used, it could have been blown away by the jet blast, but Porsche remained unmoved. And that’s not surprising, since its curb weight reaches 5,831 pounds (2,645 kg).
Photo of Porsche
This stunt clearly demonstrates how powerful and stable modern electric SUVs have become. Considering that the Cayenne Electric is capable not only of quick acceleration but also of withstanding extreme loads such as jet engine thrust, Porsche emphasizes its readiness to compete in the high-performance electric vehicle segment. It remains to be seen whether other manufacturers will follow a similar path, as public performances are becoming an increasingly important component of premium brand marketing.