Porsche Cayenne S arrives with up to 666hp

Porsche’s electric strategy, as we all know, is somewhat up in the air at the moment. The manufacturer itself has confirmed that high-spec versions of the next-generation Boxster and Cayman – which had been developed from the ground up as EVs – will feature combustion engines, and it’s now thought that a future petrol-powered version of the Macan is back on the cards, too. But while the old combustion Cayenne is still available to order, the larger SUV’s future, like the Taycan (assuming it resists deletion), remains battery-powered. The all-new model arrived towards the end of last year with the bonkers Turbo Electric, and now Porsche has announced a new Cayenne S model to slot in below it. 

Unlike the old petrol models, where the step between an S and a Turbo meant a jump from six to eight cylinders, the difference in electric iterations merely comes down to a change in output. The new electric Cayenne S therefore carries over the same twin-motor setup as the 857hp Turbo, only with the wick turned down to 544hp. You can, however, temporarily dial the system up to 666hp when the (optional) launch control has been activated, which will get you from 0-62mph in 3.8 seconds and onto a top speed of 155mph with enough room. Battery capacity remains the same as the standard and Turbo models at 113kW, and on the Cayenne S that means a WLTP range of 405 miles and a 10-80 per cent charge in around 16 minutes if you can find a rapid charger that can output at 400kW.

Scan the options list and you’ll find boxes for Porsche Active Ride, Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus) and Porsche Carbon Ceramic Brakes (PCCB), all of which were previously reserved for the Cayenne Turbo Electric. There are also some subtle design differences, too. The front and rear bumpers now feature lower elements finished in Volcano Grey Metallic, plus there’s a new 20-inch ‘Aero’ wheel design specifically for the Cayenne S.

Naturally, Porsche has found a way to add even more options for the interior, with a suite of new ‘Director’s Cuts’ designs available for all models from the firm’s Exclusive Manufaktur division. The ‘packs’ launch with an interior design that’s been specifically created to complement the Mystic Green Metallic exterior colour option, and includes two-tone seats, a GT steering wheel with a Delgada Green 12 o’clock marker and Izabal Green accents on the dials. That’ll add £9,540 to the £99,000 starting price for the Cayenne S, tipping it into six figures before you’ve even considered active ride or PCCBs. Still, it’s £32k cheaper than a Turbo Electric and around £15k more expensive than a standard Cayenne EV. Or, for half the price, you could bag this 2019 Turbo and all the V8 goodness that comes with it.