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Future models - Porsche - CayennePorsche teases new Cayenne ElectricSUV hill-climb record shattered by prototype Porsche Cayenne BEV – rated to tow 3.5t7 Jul 2025 By MATT BROGAN PORSCHE has put its incoming Cayenne Electric through its paces at the historic Shelsley Walsh hill-climb in Worcester, testing the model’s active suspension technology to the extreme at the hands of TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team simulator and development driver Gabriela Jílková.
The near-production – but still camouflaged – vehicle took part in a “filming project” while mingling with other entrants competing in the British Hillclimb Championship, completing the narrow 914-metre long climb and its 16.7 per cent grade some four seconds faster than the previous SUV record.
Porsche is also promising the new Cayenne to become the first battery electric SUV to achieve the braked towing capacity benchmark of 3500kg.
“The course is challenging and does not forgive mistakes,” said Ms Jílková.
“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.”
Equipped with the latest iteration of Porsche ‘Active Ride’ technology, the Cayenne Electric is able to keep its body level at all times, even during heavy braking, steering, and acceleration manoeuvres, ensuring what Porsche says is a perfect connection to the road through a balanced distribution of wheel loads.
“Porsche Active Ride significantly expands the range between driving dynamics and ride comfort in the new Cayenne,” said Porsche Cayenne product line vice president Michael Schätzle.
In addition to the record time of 31.28 seconds, another number caused a stir at Shelsley Walsh: the first measuring point, 18.3 metres beyond the starting line, was passed after just 1.94 seconds.
According to Porsche, only single-seat racing cars with slick tyres built specifically for the purpose have managed this feat previously, giving future Cayenne Electric customers “an idea of the exceptional accelerative performance of Porsche's new all-electric SUV”.
The prototype vehicle was fitted with standard-issue summer tyres and offers the same power and equipment as will be offered in production models.
While in England, Porsche took the opportunity to demonstrate the everyday performance of its Cayenne Electric, joining forces with British TV presenter Richard Hammond to transport a classic car weighing more than 2000kg from his workshop in Hereford to his garage.
Although the total weight of car and trailer came to around 3000kg, Mr Hammond said the Cayenne Electric “handled it effortlessly”.
Porsche said the Cayenne Electric has been designed to handle such tasks with ease, the body, drive, and the thermal management of the vehicle’s high-voltage system all thoroughly tested to ensure it will become the first battery electric SUV to achieve a braked towing capacity of 3500kg.
“Our customers have always appreciated the high utility value of the Cayenne,” added Mr Schätzle.
“That's why we didn't want to make any compromises in the development of the all-electric model.
“Our customers will also have powerful and efficient combustion engine and hybrid models at their disposal well into the next decade, and we are continuing to develop the current model generation at great expense.
“However, we can only achieve the level of performance publicly demonstrated for the first time in England through the potential of electrification. The Cayenne Electric will set new standards – without compromising on everyday usability and practicality.”
The Porsche Cayenne Electric will remain in England for the time being, making an appearance at the Goodwood Festival of Speed from July 10-13.  Read more4th of July 2025  Porsche expands 911 range with 4S variantsCiting strong demand for all-paw variants, Porsche adds new 4S models to 911 line-up11th of February 2025  Slow EV sales stymie Porsche’s profitsPorsche joins other OEMs in winding back from EV-only shift; 2025 profits set to fallAll future models Alfa Romeo Abarth Audi Aston Martin BMW Bentley Chrysler Chevrolet Dodge Citroen Ferrari DS Ford Fiat FPV Foton Haval Great Wall Honda Holden Hyundai HSV Isuzu Infiniti Jeep Jaguar Lamborghini Kia Lexus Land Rover Mazda Maserati Mercedes-Benz McLaren Mini MG Nissan Mitsubishi Peugeot Opel Proton Porsche Renault Ram Saab Rolls-Royce Smart Skoda Subaru SsangYong Tesla Suzuki Volkswagen Toyota VolvoCayenne pricing
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