First Drive: Porsche’s Cayenne Electric takes sleek direction with Coupe version
The new Coupe brings an altogether more aerodynamic take on the Cayenne Electric, but what else does it offer? Jack Evans finds out.
What is it?
Called the Cayenne Coupe Electric, it’s a more rounded take on this new EV and we’ve been out to Germany to see how it gets on.
What’s new?
We’ve also got the same range of innovations that you get from the regular Cayenne Electric, including wireless charging which provides up to 11kW of charging speed via a floor-mounted ‘pad’. Simply drive over it and the car will automatically start wirelessly charging. It’s expected to be available to UK buyers later this year, too.
What’s under the bonnet?
In this range-topping configuration, you’re getting a huge 1,140bhp and 1,500Nm of torque. They’re figures that would’ve seemed out-of-this-world a few years back, but today equate to a 0-60mph time of just 2.4 seconds and a top speed of 170mph. Porsche claims that you can get up to 396 miles from a charge, slightly more than the 387 miles that the standard SUV version can bring.
What’s it like to drive?
However, for more sedate driving, the Cayenne Coupe Electric is very pleasant. There’s a slight shimmy to the ride, mind you, and the car feels unsettled over very large bumps, but at motorway speeds it is remarkably hushed and refined.
How does it look?
To our eyes at least, the standard SUV is the more handsome car. But for many, the extra presence that the Coupe brings will be reason enough to pick it.
What’s it like inside?
The one downside of any coupe-inspired SUV is usually less headroom, and it’s a similar story here. While sitting upright in the rear solves the issue, if you start to lean back in your seat, your head will hit the roofline and the problem will certainly become more apparent for taller riders.
What’s the spec like?
Porsche was also keen to show us its range of painted alloy wheel offerings for the Cayenne Electric, too, with gold, red and blue options available alongside the ability to match the exterior colour of the car to the alloys. It’ll divide opinion, that’s for sure, but it feels like that’s just what cars like this are about.
Verdict
Given that coupe-inspired cars have always proved popular among buyers, it seemed only logical for Porsche to create one for the new Cayenne Electric. It does bring a small bump in range, but, in all honesty, these cars are all about visual appeal.
In most areas, the standard SUV Cayenne Electric will be the one to go for, but if you’re after a car that’ll turn heads, the Coupe will no doubt prove appealing.