This refreshed Cayenne Turbo PHEV currently holds the title of Porsche’s most powerful SUV.
Thanks to tightening emissions standard, the ICE-only Cayenne Turbo as we knew it is dead. But with Porsche being typically Porsche, fans of fast SUVs needn’t fret as replacing its range-topper with a refreshed version of its Turbo E-Hybrid, which now packs a substantial 729 HP PHEV punch.
Said powerful punch is mainly courtesy of an extensively reworked 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 that still lives under its hood. Outputting 591 hp on its own, said V8 is then assisted by a 130 kW boost from an electric motor to yield a combined power and torque output of 729 hp and 950 Nm respectively. Which hence in turn goes some way to enabling the capability of achieving its supercar-rivalling century sprint time of just 3.7 seconds and top speed of 295 km/h.
This new range-topping Porsche SUV doesn’t only excel in raw performance figures however, as thanks to a larger 25.9 kWh battery in its trunk and a new 11 kW on-board charger, the refreshed Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid also now offers a greater electric-only range (of 82 km) and shorter charging times too (of 2.5 hours) relative to its predecessor.
And in continuing on the topic of tech tweaks to this super SUV, the revised Turbo E-Hybrid nets a new two-chamber, two-valve adaptive air suspension setup, which Porsche claims to enhance ride comfort and control, by enabling the possibility in individual suspension adjustment during the compression and rebound stages. Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus) has also been made standard on this range-topper, while Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) and rear-axle steering are available as optional extras.
This refreshed Turbo E-Hybrid can be distinguished from the rest of the Cayenne range through its standard HD-Matrix LED headlights and variant-specific front fascia, that includes large air intakes and gloss-black air blades. Its wheel arch trims and rear bumper meanwhile are retained as body colour for a supposedly sportier look, with brushed-aluminium exhaust tips and red-painted brake calipers topping off the sporty exterior aesthetic.
Moving on inside, the sporty interior aesthetic is provided by the aluminium inlays in the dashboard and the door panel trims, as well as a Race-Tex roof lining. A GT Sport steering wheel with special drive mode button and 18-way adjustable leather sports front seats are also standard in the Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid, though those who want more comfort can tick the box for the 14-way adjustable leather comfort seats instead.
Those who want even more sportiness however could always opt for the GT package, which when optioned on the Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid Coupe shaves 0.1 seconds off the century sprint time and adds 10 km/h to its top speed. The GT Package brings with it a 10 mm lowered ride height, 22-inch GT design wheels with performance tyres and standard Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB). The slight tweaks of the GT Package continues further with black wheel arch extensions, carbon sideplates on the roof spoiler, a titanium exhaust system with centrally positioned tailpipes and a carbon rear diffuser as well as a lightweight carbon fibre roof.
The second of three hybrid models that Porsche will be introducing during 2023, the refreshed range-topping Cayenne currently starts at €176,324 (RM888,000) in Germany The availability of the Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid with GT package meanwhile starts at €208,454 (RM 1.05 million) in Germany, and will serve as a replacement to markets in which the Cayenne Turbo GT is no longer available due to local regulations.
PRESS RELEASE: The new 544 kW range-topper is distinguished by superior driving performance paired with high efficiency and comprehensive day-to-day usability. The new Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid Coupé with GT Package focuses even more on driving dynamics and a particularly athletic appearance.
After the successful launch of the new Cayenne in early 2023, Porsche is topping off the comprehensively revised third generation of this successful SUV with a new top model. As before, the most powerful Cayenne is a plug-in hybrid. Porsche has upgraded the technology in this successor to the Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid in a number of ways, achieving significant gains in electric range and performance in particular. Both day-to-day usability and driving dynamics benefit notably from the changes. An electric motor with 130 kW (176 PS) of power supplements the extensively reworked 441 kW (599 PS), 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine. Together, the two power units deliver a combined power output of 544 kW (739 PS) and maximum torque of 950 Nm. The performance of the Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid more than justifies its billing as the top of the line. The new Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid completes the sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds and reaches a top speed of 295 km/h.
Compared to its predecessor, the new Porsche Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid offers considerably greater electric range and shorter charging times. With an increased capacity of 25.9 kWh, the high-voltage battery installed beneath the load compartment floor enables an electric range of up to 82 kilometres (EAER city). The new 11 kW on-board charger shortens the charging time at a suitable wall charger or charging station to under two-and-a-half hours despite the increase in battery capacity.
Standard air suspension with two-chamber, two-valve technology
The new Porsche Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid models come standard with adaptive air suspension that features new two-chamber, two-valve technology. This makes it possible to adjust the rebound and compression stages of the suspension’s operation separately. This technology enhances comfort and safety in equal measure while offering an even wider spectrum between the Comfort and Sport Plus suspension settings. The suspension combines confident handling in dynamic cornering with comfort-focused characteristics in slow driving situations and maximum suppression of pitch and roll. Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus) is also standard in the Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid. Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) and rear-axle steering are available as options.
The range-topping nature of the Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid SUV and Coupé is demonstrated by the styling of the two models. Both body variants bear the distinctive front-end styling reserved for Turbo models, with enlarged cooling air intakes accented by shiny black airblades. The wheel arch trims and exterior-colour rear bumper further underscore the performance-focused character of the models. Other distinguishing features of the Turbo E-Hybrid models include two twin tailpipes in brushed stainless steel and red brake callipers.
Inside, aluminium inlays in the dashboard and the door panel trims highlight the heightened focus on performance. The roof lining is covered in Race-Tex. The standard equipment includes a heated GT sports steering wheel, a mode switch for fast and direct selection of the desired driving mode, and 18-way adjustable leather sports seats. Alternatively, 14-way adjustable leather comfort seats are available.
The new Porsche Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid also benefits from all the new features introduced in the model upgrade presented in early 2023. These include a new cockpit with an all-digital instrument cluster in a curved and free-standing design with variable display options, a redesigned centre console and the optional passenger display. The innovative, high-resolution HD-Matrix LED headlights – standard in the new Turbo E-Hybrid models – offer greater comfort and safety in the dark.
Even more performance: Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid Coupé with GT Package
The new Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid Coupé with GT Package sets an even sportier tone. It brings to the hybrid model range selected performance features from the Cayenne Turbo GT, the road-focused performance model no longer offered in some markets. All chassis and control systems, including the air suspension, are specifically tuned for the new model. The body sits 10 millimetres lower. GT-specific pivot bearings increase the camber on the front axle by -0.58 degrees and in combination with wider front wheels enable an even more dynamic steering response in corners, higher overall steering precision and notably enhanced cornering grip. The high-performance Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB) also comes as standard in the GT Package. The dynamic qualities of the Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid Coupé can be further enhanced with performance tyres for the standard 22-inch GT Design wheels, PDCC and rear-axle steering.
The Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid Coupé with GT Package combines its exceptional driving performance with the versatility of the new E-Hybrid system, offering the widest spectrum of dynamic performance and efficiency within the Cayenne model line-up. On the outside, the GT Package stands out with a specific front section with black accents, black wheel arch extensions, carbon sideplates on the roof spoiler, the centrally positioned tailpipes of the titanium exhaust system from the Turbo GT and a carbon rear diffuser. The roof is also made of lightweight carbon fibre. The Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid Coupé with GT Package sprints to 100 km/h in 3.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 305 km/h.
Availability and pricing
The new Turbo E-Hybrid is the second of three hybrid models that Porsche will be introducing during 2023. It can be ordered now in almost all Porsche sales markets and starts at € 176,324 in Germany, including VAT and market-specific equipment. The Coupé version starts at € 179,775. The availability of the Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid with GT package, which starts at € 208,454 in Germany, is limited to the markets in which the Cayenne Turbo GT is no longer available due to local regulations. This applies to the majority of EU markets, as well as Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore.
