Porsche has taken us to the home of the Cayenne, not Zuffenhausen, Germany, but the giant VW Group manufacturing plant in Bratislava, Slovakia, for a sneak peek at its new all-electric Cayenne Turbo. The fourth-generation Cayenne Turbo boasts a furious peak output of 1140 horsepower and can launch to 60 mph in under three seconds. Despite not being ready for production just yet, Porsche has given us a taste of what's to come.
On a test track normally used for quality control, we found ourselves bracing hard against the center console as our test driver flung the car into a long, banked corner at nearly 100 mph. The lateral grip generated by something so heavy is startling, and the acceleration afterward onto the main straightaway is absolutely epic. But it's not just about raw power – the new Cayenne also boasts an impressive curb weight of nearly three tons.
With its low roofline and exaggerated proportions, it's more like a cross between the previous Cayenne and a high-performance station wagon. Inside, it's hushed, very screen-heavy, and suitably premium in feel, with comfortable yet supportive seats that are heated to boot. The new generation of seats also features various touch points that get warmed up, while the artificial sound system offers two options: Sport mode has a deep, sci-fi effect like a Taycan played back at half speed, and Sport Plus brings the V-8 effect.
A visit to Porsche's new battery module production plant in nearby Horná Streda showed us how a largely automated process takes pouch-type cells and builds them up into finished battery packs. These completed battery packs find their way to the VW manufacturing plant in Bratislava, where they're assembled alongside other vehicles like the Audi Q7 and VW Touareg. Porsche's production strategy is cleverly designed, with the same building housing both third- and fourth-generation Cayenne chassis construction.
This allows for flexibility and adaptability as the market evolves. With its state-of-the-art production hall full of menacing-looking robots, Porsche is ramping up production of the new Cayenne in a major way. The future looks bright for this electric behemoth, but only time will tell if it'll be a game-changer for the brand.
Porsche's decision to electrify its flagship SUV marks a significant shift in the company's strategy, and the Cayenne Turbo's impressive performance is a testament to the brand's commitment to innovation. However, with production still ramping up, it remains to be seen how well this new model will translate to real-world driving experiences.
