At a glance
- Media drive: The Cayenne Electric showcases its versatility across roads, gravel tracks and rocky terrain in Cappadocia.
- Confident off-road: Electric all-wheel drive and dedicated off-road systems enhance traction beyond paved surfaces.
- Built for long journeys: High recuperation capacity, 800-volt technology and fast charging support long-distance usability.
The best way to appreciate the rugged contours of Cappadocia is from the air. At first light, hot-air balloons rise over a maze of valleys and rocky ridges. Narrow stone pillars known as ‘fairy chimneys’ emerge from the mist. Nestled among them are caves and chambers hewn into the rock. Volcanic deposits, wind and water have shaped this landscape over millions of years. Turkey’s Göreme National Park and the rock formations of Cappadocia have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985.
Even before the day’s drive begins, an unusual sight presents itself: as a hot-air balloon lands, its basket touches down directly on a trailer towed by a Cayenne Electric. The scene highlights a practical side of the electric SUV. Depending on the market and vehicle specification, it can tow up to 3.5 tonnes.
Porsche Central and Eastern Europe has chosen the region for a media drive featuring all three variants of the SUV: the Cayenne Electric, Cayenne S Electric and Cayenne Turbo Electric. “It is no coincidence that we chose Turkey for this event,” says Michael Kirsch, CEO of Porsche Central and Eastern Europe. “Besides being such a beautiful country, Turkey is the number one market among the 28 countries in our region – both in terms of total sales and in deliveries of fully electric vehicles.”
From Ürgüp through the valleys
The journey begins in Ürgüp, initially on asphalt. On the open roads, rock formations, colourful slopes and changing views into the valleys pass by the windows. The cars’ cabins are so quiet that even soft early-morning conversational tones are easily comprehensible. It is a gentle start to a journey that will later make very different demands of the Cayenne Electric.
After a break in Uçhisar, the route continues towards Göreme and draws closer to the rocks. On some sections, asphalt gives way to loose ground; in between, short but demanding off-road sections present the vehicles with a different challenge. This is about more than making progress on sand and gravel. Ground clearance, traction and the precise metering of torque must work together when the going gets significantly tougher. This capability has been part of the Cayenne’s character since the first generation – and the all-electric Cayenne demonstrates it in Cappadocia too.
All three powertrain variants feature the electronically controlled Porsche Traction Management (ePTM) all-wheel-drive system. It responds quickly to changes in grip and distributes drive between the axles as needed. The immediate response of the electric motors allows torque to be modulated precisely through the accelerator pedal. The off-road driving programme offers Gravel/Mud, Sand and Rock settings, which adapt the Cayenne to the terrain by adjusting accelerator response, among other parameters.
Off-road technology when it matters
On the more demanding sections, the standard adaptive air suspension with Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) comes into play. At its highest off-road setting, it raises the vehicle to provide up to 245 millimetres of ground clearance. The optional Offroad Package includes a modified front underbody, reinforced side sills with skid plates and a front approach angle of as much as 25 degrees.
Porsche Active Ride is also available for the Cayenne S Electric and Cayenne Turbo Electric. The active-suspension system keeps the car’s body stable over uneven ground. Off-road, it offers another advantage: without mechanical anti-roll bars, the axles can articulate more freely, allowing the wheels to follow the terrain more effectively. On the Cayenne Turbo Electric, a standard electronically controlled limited-slip differential provides additional traction. Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus) is optional for the Cayenne S Electric.
As soon as the route returns to asphalt, the character of the drive changes again. The Cayenne Electric reveals its considerable performance reserves: in the flagship version, with up to 850 kW (1,156 PS) and 1,500 Nm of torque, it accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.5 seconds. Porsche Active Ride keeps the car’s body stable even during dynamic cornering.
The powertrain is also designed for long and demanding journeys. The 113-kWh high-voltage battery is cooled from both above and below. In the Cayenne S Electric and Cayenne Turbo Electric, an oil-cooled electric motor on the rear axle supports sustained performance. On downhill stretches and when braking, the Cayenne Electric can recover energy at a rate of up to 600 kW. Its 800-volt architecture enables DC charging at up to 400 kW under optimal conditions.
Cappadocia asks different things of the Cayenne Electric: composure on open roads, precision on loose terrain and confidence on short, challenging off-road sections. It is precisely the transition between these tasks that brings the versatility of the all-electric Cayenne to life here.
