Next-gen Porsche Cayenne EV confirmed; expected in 2026 [Update]

Update: Confirmation and ‘Production & Release Date’ sections updated.

The third-gen Cayenne will receive a facelift in a few months, but reports are already doing the rounds on the fourth-gen, all-electric Porsche Cayenne. The first-ever Porsche Cayenne Electric could hit dealers in 2026, as per an Autocar report dated February 6, 2023. Here’s what all we know about and expect from the upcoming electric SUV so far:

Confirmation

On March 13, 2023, at Porsche’s Annual Media Conference 2023, CEO Oliver Blume said that the 718 EV will arrive in the middle of the decade, and “this will be followed shortly by the all-electric Cayenne.” This announcement came after the company confirmed the launch of the Cayenne EV at its 2022 Capital Markets Day on July 18, 2022. There were indications of this development in the media much earlier.

According to a report from Autoweek that was published in April 2021, the big news is a pure EV variant on the 2026 Cayenne. Autoweek said that Taycan series manager Stefan Weckbach was moving to take charge of the Cayenne project. It was seen as an indicator that an EV is in the pipeline as part of the renewal.

This would also align with Porsche’s strategy announced on March 19, 2021, during its earnings report. The brand said that it would target a CO2-neutral balance for 2030, which involves many initiatives and investments, and the notable ones are that in 2025, half of all new Porsche vehicles sold will have an electric motor, and in 2030 more than 80% of new vehicles will be electric. For reference, 40 percent of Porsches delivered in Europe in 2021 were full or partial electric (PHEV).

2026 Porsche Cayenne Electric to use the PPE Architecture

Michael Steiner, the company’s R&D boss, revealed during his presentation at Porsche’s 2022 Capital Markets Day that a battery-powered Cayenne is in the pipeline and that it will share the PPE platform with the Porsche Macan electric. Following these models, the company will switch to the SSP Sport platform for its electric SUVs.

It’s safe to assume that Porsche would launch the Cayenne electric with a dual-motor powertrain, but further models could have new capabilities. “We have different designs, different motors,” Dr. Frank Walliser told Road & Track, in 2021. “We might have one, two, three, or four motors in the car,” the man who was tasked with the responsibility for the star Porsche models 911 and 718 said. Walliser was referring to the future two-door electric Porsches when discussing potential tri-motor and quad-motor models, not an SUV.

According to Audi, the PPE is similar to the parent VW Group’s MEB but allows greater performance parameters and outputs. Significantly, the PPE supports up to 800V and can allow for 270 kW fast charging. A rear-mounted electric motor is standard, and a second motor for the front axle with AWD capability will be on offer as an option. Torque vectoring, all-wheel steering, an air suspension system, and a low floor height for greater interior packaging are other key points of the PPE as outlined by Audi. The inaugural launch of the PPE is the 2024 Audi Q6 e-tron.

Taycan-inspired design?

Compared to the current gas-powered SUV, the Porsche Cayenne EV may have a softer, cleaner appearance. The mask could take inspiration from the Porsche Taycan, which, in turn, is inspired by the Porsche Mission E concept. The electric SUV could feature a lower hood, digital LED headlights with signature four-point visuals in the DRLs, and air curtains right below the headlights. It’s also possible that Porsche renews its design language by the time it introduces its second electric SUV, so watch this space!

Production & Release Date

Production of the Porsche Cayenne electric will likely take place at the same factory as the Porsche Macan electric and Porsche K1 SUV – Porsche Leipzig. 2025 could be the year the Range Rover Sport EV rival makes its world debut.

The Cayenne contributes significantly to Porsche’s sales and is highly profitable. 95,604 units were delivered worldwide in 2022, making it Porsche’s best-selling model. “The Cayenne has conquered the sporty SUV segment over the past 20 years – as a family-friendly tourer, a robust off-roader and a highly dynamic sports car all rolled into one,” Blume said at the Annual Press Conference. “The all-electric Cayenne shall continue this success story,” the CEO added.

Porsche is facing delays in the development of the E³ 1.2 platform (a next-generation universal software platform and related hardware architecture), which it also plans to use in the Cayenne EV. The issues in software development could affect the Cayenne EV release date. The company has already had to delay the Macan EV’s start of production for this reason.

As the E³ 1.2 platform is still under active development, a risk remains that the Group will not achieve its existing cycle plan for new vehicles on schedule, in particular BEV models of the 718 and the Cayenne. Further delays or difficulties with the E³ 1.2 platform could also prevent the timely launch of models intended to use the E³ 1.2 Evo platform.

Prospectus for IPO of Porsche AG (September 19, 2022)

TopElectricSUV says

The Porsche Cayenne EV is likely to be a great all-rounder for customers. In the U.S., it would be more practical than the Taycan Cross Turismo, offering more range, space, comfort, and ruggedness, as well as a high towing capacity, with the irresistible appeal of an SUV.

2026 Porsche Cayenne FAQs

Featured image: TopElectricSUV’s rendering of the Cayenne EV.