2026 Porsche Cayenne Electric Sets SUV Record at Shelsley Walsh

Porsche is charging full speed ahead into the electric era, and its next milestone? A fully electric version of the popular Cayenne SUV, slated to hit the streets in 2026.

While the gas-powered Cayenne isn't going anywhere just yet, the German automaker is making room for this high-voltage sibling—and it just gave us our first proper glimpse.

Unveiled in full camouflage, the Cayenne EV prototype recently tackled the legendary Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb in England—a motorsport venue dating back to 1905.

And it didn’t just show up for photos. It showed off. Behind the wheel was none other than Porsche Formula E development driver Gabriela Jílková, who set a new SUV record at the hill climb, beating the previous best by over four seconds on her very first run.

A Near-Production Prototype With Real Porsche DNA

Porsche describes this prototype as “near-production,” and judging by the visuals, it’s close to showroom-ready.

The Cayenne Electric keeps its roots in traditional Porsche design—high-mounted headlights, a cleanly sculpted body, a prominent lower grille, and squared-off taillights. It’s unmistakably Cayenne but with a future-focused edge.

There’s a slight taper to the roofline for a sleeker silhouette, and despite the camouflage wrap, you can spot the refined design language that links it to Porsche’s evolving EV family.

What Makes It Quick? Porsche Active Ride and Electric Punch

While full specs remain under wraps, Porsche shared a few performance highlights that shed light on how the Cayenne EV managed to tackle Shelsley Walsh with such confidence.

Most notably, the prototype featured Porsche Active Ride, the brand’s next-gen adaptive suspension tech. It keeps the body perfectly level through hard acceleration, cornering, and braking, giving it the kind of stability usually reserved for sports cars, not SUVs.

Even more impressive? The Cayenne Electric covered the first 180 feet in just 1.94 seconds. That’s race car territory. In fact, Porsche claims that kind of launch performance is typically only seen in single-seater race cars equipped with slick tires. Yet this Cayenne did it on regular summer tires.

Yes, It Can Tow—And Richard Hammond Put It to the Test

As part of a film project connected to the hill climb event, Richard Hammond—former host of Top Gear and The Grand Tour—teamed up with Porsche to test another key strength: towing capacity.

He used the Cayenne Electric to haul a 100-year-old Lagonda up the hill, demonstrating the EV's impressive ability to tow up to 7,716 pounds.

That level of capability means the Cayenne Electric isn’t just a performance EV—it’s a practical one too.

What’s Next for the Cayenne EV?

Porsche has confirmed that the Cayenne Electric will coexist with the current gas and hybrid variants well into the next decade. This means buyers will have plenty of options as the brand transitions further into electrification.

The camouflaged prototype’s next public appearance will be at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, where we expect it to draw plenty of attention. As for the full reveal? That’s likely coming by late 2025 or early 2026, just ahead of its official production launch.

Final Thoughts

With blistering performance, practical towing strength, and Porsche engineering under the skin, the 2026 Cayenne Electric is shaping up to be a major player in the high-performance EV segment.

It’s not just another electric SUV—it’s a Porsche through and through.

Stay tuned as we track its next public run at Goodwood, and prepare for the full reveal that could redefine what an electric SUV can do.