• A prototype of Porsche’s electric Cayenne has been spied testing in the snow.
  • 2026 EV shares a PPE platform with the Macan Electric and Audi Q6 e-tron.
  • SUV’s planned late ’25 reveal could be delayed by Porsche’s EV rethink.

These fresh spy shots show a Porsche test driver putting a prototype Cayenne Electric through its paces. We had expected the big brother to the new Macan Electric to debut in late 2025 or early 2026, but with Porsche rethinking its EV strategy, could that launch be in danger of slipping back?

Although Porsche hasn’t confirmed any delay for its first zero-emissions Cayenne, we know that it’s been forced to adapt its brand-wide electrification plan in the wake of changes in the car market, as have other automakers. Porsche revealed last year that it would extend the lifespan of some combustion models and modify EVs currently in development – specifically the K1 three-row SUV – in order for them also to be able to accommodate combustion powertrains.

Related: Porsche Delays Key EV Launches Amid Engineering And Market Challenges

It’s too late in the development process for the electric 718 Boxster and Cayman and the Cayenne Electric to be included in that retrofit program, but that’s not such a problem where the SUV is concerned, because Porsche plans to keep the current combustion Cayenne (which was heavily updated and facelifted for 2024) on sale alongside it for years to come.

Although both will wear Cayenne badges and have similar interiors, they’re totally different under the skin down to the different platforms. The Cayenne Electric sits on a stretched version of the PPE architecture already being used by the Audi A6 e-tron and Q6 e-tron, and of course, Porsche’s own Macan Electric. And though it’s difficult with this prototype’s disguise in place to get a clear picture of the design details, we’re expecting the Cayenne to borrow plenty of headlight and grille styling ideas from its younger sibling.

Entry-level Cayennes will probably also share their powertrains with mid- or high-spec Macans, which feature a 509 hp (516 PS / 380 kW) bi-motor setup in 4S trim and 630 hp (639 PS / 470 kW) in Turbo guise.

2026 Porsche Cayenne EV Spied Testing, But Is Porsche Going To Delay It?

And the Cayenne Turbo? Perhaps the 872 hp (884 PS / 650 kW) and 939 hp (700 kW / 952 PS) of the Taycan Turbo and Turbo S give us an idea of the kind of muscle pricey versions of the SUV could be shooting for. Maybe there’s even one in the works with the 1,020 hp (1,034 PS / 760 kW) motors out of the Taycan Turbo GT to provide an answer to the Tesla Model X Plaid that makes the same power.

But weighing on Porsche’s mind is the fact that Taycan sales tanked last year even as global EV registrations rose, and the introduction of a facelifted car and super-fast models couldn’t avert the slide. The Macan Electric isn’t performing as well as expected in dealerships, either. Would you press ahead with a Cayenne Electric launch in the next 12 months if you were Porsche or would you hold off until the luxury EV market has recovered?

2026 Porsche Cayenne EV Spied Testing, But Is Porsche Going To Delay It?
2026 Porsche Cayenne EV Spied Testing, But Is Porsche Going To Delay It?
2026 Porsche Cayenne EV Spied Testing, But Is Porsche Going To Delay It?
2026 Porsche Cayenne EV Spied Testing, But Is Porsche Going To Delay It?
2026 Porsche Cayenne EV Spied Testing, But Is Porsche Going To Delay It?
2026 Porsche Cayenne EV Spied Testing, But Is Porsche Going To Delay It?
2026 Porsche Cayenne EV Spied Testing, But Is Porsche Going To Delay It?
2026 Porsche Cayenne EV Spied Testing, But Is Porsche Going To Delay It?
2026 Porsche Cayenne EV Spied Testing, But Is Porsche Going To Delay It?
2026 Porsche Cayenne EV Spied Testing, But Is Porsche Going To Delay It?
2026 Porsche Cayenne EV Spied Testing, But Is Porsche Going To Delay It?
2026 Porsche Cayenne EV Spied Testing, But Is Porsche Going To Delay It?
2026 Porsche Cayenne EV Spied Testing, But Is Porsche Going To Delay It?
2026 Porsche Cayenne EV Spied Testing, But Is Porsche Going To Delay It?
2026 Porsche Cayenne EV Spied Testing, But Is Porsche Going To Delay It?
2026 Porsche Cayenne EV Spied Testing, But Is Porsche Going To Delay It?
2026 Porsche Cayenne EV Spied Testing, But Is Porsche Going To Delay It?
2026 Porsche Cayenne EV Spied Testing, But Is Porsche Going To Delay It?
2026 Porsche Cayenne EV Spied Testing, But Is Porsche Going To Delay It?
2026 Porsche Cayenne EV Spied Testing, But Is Porsche Going To Delay It?
2026 Porsche Cayenne EV Spied Testing, But Is Porsche Going To Delay It?
2026 Porsche Cayenne EV Spied Testing, But Is Porsche Going To Delay It?
2026 Porsche Cayenne EV Spied Testing, But Is Porsche Going To Delay It?
2026 Porsche Cayenne EV Spied Testing, But Is Porsche Going To Delay It?
2026 Porsche Cayenne EV Spied Testing, But Is Porsche Going To Delay It?
2026 Porsche Cayenne EV Spied Testing, But Is Porsche Going To Delay It?

Images: SH Proshots