Porsche unveils a disguised prototype of the new Cayenne

The new electric Porsche SUV, hidden under camouflage film, delivered an impressive performance on the famous Shelsley Walsh hill climb in the UK. Despite being electric-powered, the Cayenne prototype showed that it is ready for serious tests.

Behind the wheel was Gabriela Jilkova — a professional racer and test driver for the Porsche Formula E team. The Shelsley Walsh track is considered one of the toughest: narrow sections (less than 4 meters), gradients up to 16.7%, and a length of 914 meters. However, the new Cayenne completed it in 31.28 seconds, improving the previous SUV record by more than 4 seconds.

“The track doesn't forgive mistakes,” Jilkova shared her impressions. “There is no room for maneuver, but the active suspension provides incredible stability. I felt in complete control over every meter.”

The prototype's key technology is the Porsche Active Ride system — an innovative suspension that keeps the body perfectly level during any maneuvers. This option is already available in some of the brand's production models and will be featured in the electric Cayenne.

In the first section of the track, Jilkova accelerated to record values: 18.3 meters in 1.94 seconds. But the testing wasn't limited to the racing track. British TV presenter Richard Hammond conducted a real-world test: the prototype effortlessly towed a century-old car weighing nearly 3 tons along with a trailer, confirming its versatility.

“Porsche customers appreciate the practicality of the Cayenne, so we didn't make any compromises in creating its electric version,” noted Michael Schetzle, Vice President of Porsche's product line.

The electric Cayenne is now undergoing final testing ahead of its debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. It will become the brand's third fully-electric model following the Macan, introduced in Australia in 2023. Up next are the electric successors to the 718 Cayman and Boxster.