Cayenne with a kick

Porsche has brought the Cayenne Electric to the Philippines with a longer wheelbase, more passenger space and enough battery capacity to cover hundreds of kilometers between charges.

The German sports car manufacturer has introduced the fully electric version of its popular SUV alongside the existing gasoline and plug-in hybrid models, giving local buyers another choice in the Cayenne range.

At 4,985 millimeters long, the Cayenne Electric is 55 mm longer than its gasoline counterpart. Its 3,023-mm wheelbase has also grown by nearly 130 mm, with much of the additional space going to passengers in the rear.

The rear seats are electrically adjustable and can be moved to provide more legroom or increase luggage capacity. The cargo compartment holds 781 liters, which increases to 1,588 liters when the rear seats are folded. Another 90 liters of storage space is available beneath the front hood.

The Cayenne Electric uses a 113-kWh battery with a claimed range of up to 642 kilometers under the WLTP test cycle. Porsche’s Philippine website lists a higher figure of 691 kilometers under the ECE standard. Actual driving distance will depend on road conditions, speed and other factors.

Its 800-volt electrical system supports DC fast charging at up to 400 kW under certain conditions. Porsche says the battery can be charged from 10 to 80 percent in approximately 16 minutes at a compatible high-power charging station.

Such charging speeds will depend on the equipment available, which is an important consideration given the differences in capacity among public charging stations in the country. An onboard 11-kW AC charger also allows owners to charge at home.

Despite its larger dimensions, the electric Cayenne retains the performance expected of a Porsche.

Two electric motors drive all four wheels and produce up to 442 PS and 835 Nm of torque with Launch Control. Acceleration from zero to 100 km/h takes 4.8 seconds, while top speed is rated at 230 km/h.

Adaptive air suspension with Porsche Active Suspension Management comes as standard. Buyers can also specify rear-axle steering, which reduces the turning circle and makes the large SUV easier to maneuver through narrow streets and parking areas.

The cabin introduces Porsche’s Flow Display, a curved OLED touchscreen that extends toward the center console. A 14.25-inch digital instrument panel sits behind the steering wheel, while an optional 14.9-inch passenger display provides access to entertainment and vehicle information.

Porsche has retained physical controls for frequently used functions such as air-conditioning and audio volume.

The manufacturer also provides an eight-year or 160,000-kilometer high-voltage battery warranty, whichever comes first, with separate guarantees on minimum battery capacity.

More powerful versions appear in Porsche’s Philippine model listings, including the Cayenne S Electric with up to 666 PS and the Cayenne Turbo Electric with up to 1,156 PS. The latter can accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 2.5 seconds.

Official Philippine pricing has yet to be announced.