Porsche in March introduced that the subsequent Cayenne can be electrical, and now we’ve got what’s more likely to be images of one of many first check mules.

The car might appear to be one of many many prototypes for the electrical Macan due in early 2024, however there are a variety of clues that time to it being a check mule for the totally electrical fourth-generation Cayenne.

In comparison with the Macan EV prototypes, the check mule has a a lot wider monitor, as indicated by the widened wheel arches. The slope of the windshield can also be totally different and the wheelbase is barely longer, as indicated by the rear wheels being pushed farther again.

Utilizing Macan EV prototypes to cover the mechanicals of the Cayenne EV is sensible since each automobiles are anticipated to share Volkswagen Group’s PPE modular platform designed for premium EVs. The platform is versatile sufficient to spawn low- and high-riding fashions in a number of dimension classes.

2027 Porsche Cayenne EV check mule spy photographs – Photograph credit score: Baldauf

For the Macan EV, the platform will characteristic a 98-kwh battery pack and a motor driving every axle. Mixed output of a minimum of one grade can be greater than 603 hp, and even larger outputs are probably for a Cayenne EV.

Although it is but to be confirmed, a four-motor powertrain could also be supplied within the electrical Cayenne. Such a system wouldn’t solely ship excessive energy outputs but additionally faster and extra exact management for torque vectoring. Porsche in 2019 stated it was creating simply such a system.

When asserting the Cayenne EV in March, Porsche stated the car will come after the electrical 718, which is due in 2025 and set to make use of a platform particular to sports activities vehicles. Porsche has additionally confirmed plans for a three-row electrical SUV positioned above the Cayenne, which is due in 2027 and set to make use of a next-generation SSP Sport platform. This implies the Cayenne ought to arrive in 2026, which might probably make it a 2027 mannequin for the market launch.

2027 Porsche Cayenne EV check mule spy photographs – Photograph credit score: Baldauf

Manufacturing can be dealt with at Volkswagen Group’s plant in Bratislava, Slovakia. The plant presently builds the gas-powered Cayenne that simply underwent a main replace for 2024.

Porsche predicts that as a lot as 80% of its gross sales can be electrical by the tip of the last decade, and meaning many of the automaker’s lineup will swap cylinders for battery cells within the years forward. Porsche has beforehand stated solely the 911 is predicted to nonetheless have a fuel engine by the point 2030 rolls round.

An electrical hypercar previewed by the current Mission X idea can also be more likely to be a part of the plan, although Porsche hasn’t indicated when precisely such a mannequin would arrive.