Porsche Cayenne Electric Prototype Sets SUV Benchmark at Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb

• Prototype Cayenne Electric completed Shelsley Walsh hill climb in 31.28 seconds, setting SUV benchmark.

• Porsche Active Ride suspension provided stability on narrow 16.7% gradient course in England.

• Richard Hammond tows over three tonnes with the Cayenne.

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Porsche has advanced testing of its upcoming all-electric Cayenne by running a near-production prototype at the historic Shelsley Walsh hill climb in England. To the surprise of no one, the SUV set a new record for its category.

During a film production tied to Porsche’s global testing program, Gabriela Jílková, simulator and development driver for the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team, drove the camouflaged Cayenne Electric up the narrow 914-metre course. On her first attempt, Jílková completed the climb in 31.28 seconds, cutting more than four seconds off the previous best time recorded by a sport utility vehicle.

“The course is challenging and does not forgive mistakes,” Jílková said. “There are no run-off zones and little room for correction. But the active suspension gives the new Cayenne enormous stability and precision. I felt completely confident at all times.”

The prototype featured Porsche Active Ride, an active chassis system that keeps the body level even under heavy braking, steering, or acceleration. At the first measuring point, 18.3 metres from the start, the Cayenne Electric reached the mark in just 1.94 seconds—a performance typically seen only from single-seat racing cars with slicks. According to Michael Schätzle, Vice President of the Product Line Cayenne, the drive system and equipment of the test vehicle were already at production specification, though final tuning is ongoing.

Beyond performance figures, Porsche demonstrated the Cayenne Electric’s practicality during the same trip. A British TV presenter you’ve all heard of, Richard Hammond, used the prototype to tow his 1931 Lagonda weighing over two tonnes from Hereford to his garage. With the trailer, the total load approached three tonnes. Hammond said that “the Cayenne handled it effortlessly.”

Porsche stated that the electric Cayenne has been engineered with a strong body, drivetrain, and thermal management system, enabling a towing capacity of up to 3.5 tonnes (over 7,700 lbs) depending on configuration, similar to current combustion-engine models. “Our customers have always appreciated the high utility value of the Cayenne,” said Schätzle. “That’s why we didn’t want to make any compromises in the development of the all-electric model.”

Looking ahead, Schätzle noted that Porsche will continue offering powerful combustion and hybrid Cayennes into the next decade, while electrification allows new benchmarks for performance without reducing daily usability. The prototype will next appear publicly at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in England from July 10 to 13.