2026 Porsche Cayenne EV previewed: Record breaking hill climb run underlines luxury SUV’s performance potential!
A lightly disguised 2026 Porsche Cayenne EV has beaten both the Bentley Bentayga and Porsche Taycan Turbo up the hill at the world-famous Shelsey Walsh Hill Climb in the UK.
The Cayenne EV set a record for both the fastest SUV and quickest EV up the 120-year-old hill climb.
Driving the record-breaking prototype Porsche Cayenne EV was Porsche’s Formula E development driver, Gabriela Jílková, who wrestled the battery-powered large SUV up the 914m course in just 31.28 seconds.
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For reference, that’s four seconds swifter than the 2017 record set by a Bentley Bentayga Speed, and even quicker than the Porsche Taycan Turbo Sport Turismo EV (31.43sec).
Thought to be near production spec, the pictures reveal the all-new Cayenne EV will bag a pair of narrower headlamps, a slimmer grille, a closed-off lower intake, and a thin rear light bar, compared to the current petrol, diesel and hybrid-powered third-gen Cayenne.
Engineers weren’t overly concerned about maximising range as the record-setting Cayenne EV wore a big roof rack that probably added plenty of wind resistance.
It’s also worth noting the Cayenne EV also sits higher than you might expect, further impacting performance.
Within, the fourth generation Cayenne is thought to feature an upscaled version of the current Macan’s cabin that includes a screen stretching across the dash incorporating a digital instrument cluster, large infotainment and a third passenger touchscreen.
Full technical details will come later, but it is already known the Porsche Cayenne will feature its own take on the car-maker’s advanced Active Ride system that cancels pitch and dive associated with acceleration and braking while almost eliminating roll through corners.
More important for those who tow, Porsche also let slip its new flagship EV will be capable of hauling up to 3500kg, beating other electric SUVs like the Kia EV9 and BMW iX that can both tow 2500kg.
That 3500kg number also matches the very best large cars in the sports SUV class.
Based on the same Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture as the Macan Electric, the Cayenne is also tipped to lead the class when it comes to charging, thanks to its powerful 800-volt-electrics that ensure charging speeds beyond 270kW.
There’s no word on just how much power the new Cayenne EV will pack, but expect even more than the Macan Turbo that pumps out 470kW.
When it comes to range, expect the large Porsche SUV to travel more than 500km on a single charge.
Commenting on the new SUV and EV record, Jílková said: “The course is challenging and does not forgive mistakes.
“There are no run-off zones and little room for correction. But the active suspension gives the new Cayenne enormous stability and precision. I felt completely confident at all times.”
Even though originally conceived to replace the current third-gen Cayenne, Porsche has already revealed an updated version of the petrol, diesel and hybrid version of its large SUV will live on, including the V8 version, until 2030.
