The launch of the fourth-generation Porsche Cayenne is expected by the end of the year. It will be a fully electric SUV delivering 1,000 horsepower, though it will not replace the current hybrid models
First introduced in 2003 and then revised in 2010 and 2017, the Porsche Cayenne is now preparing to debut its fourth generation, scheduled for release in late 2025. The new model, still in camouflaged form, made its public debut during the Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb in England, near Birmingham—the world’s oldest motorsport venue still using its original track, predating Indianapolis, Le Mans, and Monza.
At the wheel was Gabriela Jílková, a Porsche Formula E test driver, who piloted the SUV along the 914-meter course, with gradients reaching nearly 17 percent, finishing in 31.28 seconds. Over four seconds faster than the previous SUV category record. This impressive debut confirmed the likely presence of two electric motors producing over 1,000 horsepower, a performance figure that, if confirmed, would make the new Cayenne the most powerful ever, surpassing the 740-hp “Turbo E-Hybrid,” currently the top-performing model in the lineup.
So far, Porsche has not released technical specifications, except for claiming 0–100 km/h in just three seconds and a seven-seat configuration. What is certain, however, is that the vehicle will be built on the PPE (Premium Platform Electric), an 800-volt architecture developed jointly with Audi, intended for Volkswagen Group’s premium electric models. It features a wheelbase of 2.99 meters and uses the battery packs as structural elements.
Another certainty is the introduction of advanced technical innovations aimed at making the SUV exceptionally comfortable and agile. Among these is the “Porsche Active Ride” suspension system, already used in the Panamera, based on hydraulic actuators. Driven by dedicated pumps and electrovalves operating in near real-time. These actuators serve both as shock absorbers and as wheel control elements—pushing wheels downward over dips or lifting them when encountering bumps. This system eliminates the need for traditional anti-roll bars, which are typically used to limit body roll in corners.
Thanks to this technology, the future Cayenne will maintain a flat stance at all times—free of roll and pitch—while also offering exclusive functions, such as lowering the chassis to ease passenger entry or raising it to clear rough terrain. The system operates electro-hydraulically, with a control unit managing system pressure and oil volumes to define the vehicle’s posture. Adjustments occur 13 times per second, and each wheel is individually controlled based on a virtual vehicle behavior model stored in the ECU.
This allows the system to account not only for data from multiple sensors monitoring dynamic forces but also for the slip angle. The difference between a wheel’s steering direction and its actual trajectory. The system is also interconnected with the vehicle’s other mechanical and electronic components, including the motor, traction control, and electronically controlled differentials.
Saving Private Porsche
As is well known, the global automotive market is struggling. Electric vehicles, apart from China—where their adoption is largely government-mandated—are not taking off. And where there is some interest, Chinese brands are dominating. This situation particularly affects premium manufacturers, as shown by the challenges faced by Maserati, Jaguar, and Porsche.
Indeed, Porsche ended the first half of 2025 with a 6% drop in global sales, and its electric and hybrid models accounted for just over 36% of production. Notably, after initially announcing that the Macan would be produced exclusively as a full electric, Porsche later reversed course, confirming hybrid versions. Though these won’t arrive before 2028.
Moreover, the Taycan, Porsche’s all-electric four-door, has failed to meet expectations, with sales down about 6% in early 2025, following a 49% decline in 2024 compared to 2023. It is therefore logical that Porsche has decided to continue producing the hybrid versions of the Cayenne, even after the launch of the new generation.
