HOTTER DOSE OF CAYENNE (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

Porsche's Cayenne Coupe Electric is a large sporting SUV-Coupe that delivers astonishing technology in a sleeker suit. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 53

If you're attracted by the Porsche Cayenne Electric, it's difficult to see why you wouldn't be even more attracted by the Porsche Cayenne Coupe Electric: assuming you can afford the extra the brand wants for this sportier body shape. Is this the most stylish large luxury electric SUV out there? Zuffenhausen thinks so.

Backgroundword count: 141

Porsche was late embracing the trend for sporty coupe versions of large SUVs, not launching the original Cayenne Coupe until 2019. The pioneer model in this segment, the first generation BMW X6, dates back to 2008... Retrospectively, this seems like a huge error from Zuffenhausen, given that the Cayenne SUV soldiered on for 17 years without a coupe derivative, but the coupe version now accounts for over half of European Cayenne sales. Porsche doesn't intend to make the same mistake again in the electric era, which is why just six months after the launch of the Cayenne Electric SUV in late 2025, we were given this model, the Cayenne Coupe Electric. As you'd expect, it's basically the SUV model in a party frock, but that sleeker shape does give you a little more EV driving range. Let's take a closer look.

Driving Experienceword count: 530

As you'd expect, the Cayenne Coupe Electric drives exactly like the SUV version. And has the same selection of batteries and powertrains. One by-product of the EV revolution is that power outputs in cars like this have spiralled. Did you ever think an SUV, even a large luxury premium one like this with sporting pretensions, would develop 1,156PS. Or deliver a 0-62mph sprint time (2.5s) quicker than the fastest 911 (the Turbo S). Yet that's what the curiously named top 'Turbo' version of the Cayenne Coupe Electric can deliver. Despite weighing a minimum of 2.5 tonnes in its lightest possible form. We'll come back to that because we want to concentrate here on the versions of this car that possible owners are more likely to end up with. The bulk of sales will be accounted for by the Cayenne Coupe Electric. It also has a dual motor AWD powertrain but here, the total possible output is a more modest 442PS, so the 0-62mph time is extended to 4.8s. You don't get much of an EV range benefit for the drop in power though, the Cayenne Coupe Electric's 410 mile figure (11 miles better than the equivalent SUV) just 15 miles better than the Turbo. The big output gap between these two models is partly filled by a mid-level Cayenne S Coupe model, which offers up to 666PS, makes 62mph in 3.8s and manages up to 415 miles of range. We expect a GTS model to slot in above this variant. If only the top Turbo version will do, you'll need to know that during normal driving, that Turbo version only puts out 857PS. The extra 299PS is available only for 10 seconds at a time via a 'push-to-pass' button on the steering wheel. This activates extra power from the rear motor, into which a special motorsport-tuned direct oil cooling system has had to be integrated to accommodate it. The Turbo's top speed is 162mph and it offers up to 395 miles of range. You'll need that top Turbo to get the brand's clever Porsche Active Ride system, which Zuffenhausen has never previously fitted to an SUV. Instead of anti-roll bars, this uses a motor pump-equipped active damper on each corner of the car. During cornering, braking and accelerating, that pump builds up active activating forces on the 'dampers' to keep the car level and free of body roll. There's even what Porsche calls a 'helicopter mode' when the car can actively tilt forward in harsh acceleration to increase velocity like a helicopter. Curiously, Porsche Active Ride doesn't work in the car's faster 'Sport' and 'Sport Plus' drive modes. All models get adaptive air suspension with PASM (Porsche Active Suspension Management). The Turbo also gets the brand's 'PTV plus' limited slip differential. Rear-axle steering is optional and works more directly than it does on petrol Cayenne, turning the rear wheels by up to 5-degrees (up from 3-degrees in the combustion car). Porsche is offering an optional 'Off-road package' with modified geometry for the front end and extra bolstering around the battery for rough tracks. You'll need this Pack to unlock the full potential braked towing capacity (up to an impressive 3.5-tonnes).

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