The most powerful Porsche SUV ever is a hybrid

Photo: Porsche Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid

Electrification has once again becomes the solution to Porsche’s need for more power.

While the fully-electric Taycan is on its way and set to rattle to very bones of the automotive industry – at least, that’s what a few initial impressions have let on – Porsche’s electric efforts aren’t slowing down in the Taycan’s wake. 

Porsche has taken the wraps off of the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid and Cayenne Coupé Turbo S E-Hybrid – try saying that five times fast. Glutenous names aside, these hybrids are fast. They both start with the Cayenne Turbo’s platform, and augment the twin turbo, 4.0 liter V8 with a 134 horsepower electric motor. 

That brings the total output to 670 hp and 663 lb-ft of torque, making this version of the Cayenne the most powerful SUV Porsche has ever made. In fact, it's one of the most powerful SUVs you can buy today, full stop.

The battery

The 14.1 kWh battery that powers the electric motor is installed under the floor of the cargo bay at the back of the Cayennes. Porsche say the battery can be fully charged in less than 2.5 hours with the standard 7.2 kW onboard AC charger, but charge times will obviously vary based on the potency of your outlet.

Porsche also estimates a 0-60 time of 3.6 seconds for both the Coupé and SUV models – there was a time not too long ago where most sports cars couldn’t accelerate that quickly. The new E-hybrid models haven’t been rated for MPG range or plug-in range yet, but you can expect a bump in efficiency over the standard Cayenne Turbo which gets 17 mpg combined. 

In addition to the headline-grabbing Turbo S E-Hybrid, Porsche also announced a ‘base’ e-hybrid model for the Cayenne Coupé. That comes with Porche’s 3.0 liter V6, but augmented to 455 horsepower and 516  lb-ft. of torque. 

The Cayenne SUV starts at $161,900 a whopping $35,400 premium over the standard Cayenne Turbo, but we think the performance gains are worth it. The Coupe version is $164,400. 

By Nicholas Yekikian

Borrow is an electric vehicle subscription company with one goal: to make driving an EV as simple and accessible as possible. Borrow is the only electric vehicle subscription service of its kind with a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and decarbonizing the everyday drive.