Blistering Performance Challenges Supercar Standards
On August 28, Porsche hosted a media test drive event for the Cayenne Turbo EV in Aspen, Colorado. This all-electric flagship SUV, with 1,139 horsepower and 1,106 lb-ft of torque, becomes the most powerful production vehicle in Porsche’s history. In standard driving mode, the Cayenne Turbo EV delivers 844 horsepower, enabling effortless overtaking at speeds of up to 80 mph. When Launch Control is activated and the Push-to-Pass button on the steering wheel is pressed, the system can boost power to 1,139 horsepower within 10 seconds, providing an additional 176 horsepower for instantaneous acceleration.
Testing by Car and Driver confirmed the Cayenne Turbo EV accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.1 seconds, with a quarter-mile time of 9.5 seconds, setting a new benchmark for SUVs. Braking performance is equally impressive, stopping from 70 mph in just 140 feet, matching the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1. On the skidpad, the SUV achieved 1.05 g of lateral grip, the highest figure ever recorded for an SUV by the publication. Top speed reaches 162 mph, far exceeding typical road speed limits.
800V Architecture Enables Ultra-Fast Charging
The Cayenne Turbo EV features an 800V high-voltage charging system, theoretically supporting over 400 kW of DC fast charging. Porsche claims that under ideal conditions, the vehicle can charge from 10% to 80% state of charge in under 16 minutes. The SUV is equipped with dual charging ports, supporting both Tesla’s NACS standard and the J-1772 standard, and includes Plug and Charge functionality, allowing seamless charging at Tesla Superchargers and Electrify America stations. Additionally, the vehicle comes with a 19.2 kW onboard AC charger and offers an optional 11 kW wireless charging system with 90% efficiency.
During the test drive, local charging infrastructure limitations meant only 200 kW 400V chargers were available, preventing the full potential of the 800V architecture from being realized. Porsche noted that as high-power charging stations become more widespread, the Cayenne Turbo EV’s charging efficiency will further improve.