Imagine heading out for a normal morning drive and seeing a Cayenne glide past without the usual sound of a petrol engine. That will soon be a familiar sight in India as Porsche prepares to officially launch the electric version of its popular SUV.
The Porsche Cayenne Electric will make its India debut on September 30. Prices were announced earlier, starting at Rs 1.76 crore ex showroom. The range includes the standard Cayenne Electric and the much faster Cayenne Turbo Electric.
Both versions use a 113kWh battery and dual electric motors with all wheel drive.
The figures make the Turbo Electric particularly interesting. A 0 to 100kmph time of 2.5 seconds is supercar territory for a large SUV.
The electric Cayenne keeps the familiar SUV shape but gets several changes.
The Cayenne Electric measures 4,985mm long, with a 3,023mm wheelbase.
Porsche has given the cabin a modern screen setup. It gets a digital driver display and a 14.5 inch curved infotainment screen.
Regenerative braking can recover energy at up to 600kW under suitable conditions. Porsche says the electric motors can handle up to 97 percent of braking. An 11kW wireless charging system is also available as an option. This is the first Porsche to offer the technology. Adaptive air suspension is standard, while rear axle steering can be selected as an option.
The Cayenne Electric starts at Rs 1.76 crore ex showroom in India. Its rivals include the Audi Q8 e tron, BMW iX and Lotus Eletre.
September 30 will give Indian buyers a closer look at Porsche’s electric take on the Cayenne. With strong performance, plenty of space and a long equipment list, this could be one of the more interesting luxury electric SUVs to watch.
