A fourth-generation of Porsche’s big-selling SUV will be unveiled at the Shanghai Motor Show
We’ve seen inside the new Porsche Cayenne already and now, just ahead of the big reveal, Porsche has teased the exterior as well. As you would expected from Porsche, the range-topping SUV will feature evolutionary rather than revolutionary styling changes compared to the outgoing Cayenne model.
After the car makes its debut at the 2023 Shanghai Motor Show, the Porsche will be hoping to see the Cayenne continue its predecessor’s strong sales in China. This new teaser image shows a thinner headlight design, previewed by our spy shots already. A wide, rectangular grille sits below, incorporating the fog lights to make up a similar front end layout to the current Cayenne.
The new Cayenne should hit the UK market towards the end of the year, meaning it will probably continue on sale to the end of the decade. An all-electric Cayenne has been confirmed and we’ll see some lifespan crossover of the two models. The Cayenne won’t be the range-topping Porsche SUV either with an even larger model, codenamed ‘K1’ on the way as well.
New Porsche Cayenne interior
Porsche has also granted us a look inside the new car. As has been a trademark of the Cayenne since it first arrived in 2002, its interior has to balance luxury and sportiness with the practical needs of an SUV. Porsche says this concept has been brought right up to date with a comprehensive set of high-tech digital interfaces integrated into the Cayenne’s renewed dash and console.
Fundamentally the new Porsche Cayenne is based on the existing third generation model originally launched back in 2017, so space inside the cabin is the same as before. It remains a strict five-seater, but has plenty of interior accommodation thanks to a proportionally long wheelbase and deep footwells. With Porsche set to expand its SUV range by adding a new flagship seven-seater in the next few years, there was no need to go bigger to satisfy that part of the SUV market.
The changes customers will see and touch are focused around the dashboard and centre console, both of which are completely new. Drawing inspiration from the all-electric Taycan, the existing 12.3-inch touchscreen is now joined by a curved digital instrument cluster replacing the previous analogue rev-counter and its two flanking screens. While the central touchscreen itself uses the same hardware as before, its interface features Porsche’s latest digital interface, offering more customisation and quicker response times.
These are joined by an optional passenger display integrated into the full-width black panel that sits across the dash. The software in this second dash-mounted display is also modified, integrates streaming services and will eventually support bluetooth headsets. The heating and ventilation controls now sit on a much cleaner centre console with physical controls still used for key functions like temperature and fan speed, and supplementary functions built into the surrounding black panel. There’s also still a volume knob, Porsche was keen to point out.
If it looks like there’s something missing from the interior, you might have noticed that the physical gear selector has now been relocated to the right of the steering wheel as in the Taycan, while the traditional turn-key style starter switch has now also gone the way of the dodo, replaced by a simple ‘on’ button.
As you’d expect of a high-end SUV like the Cayenne, build quality is outstanding. The materials are top notch, and excusing the scratch-prone black plastic on the centre console, all look and feel resilient enough to survive the rigmarole of family life while remaining very plush and very premium.
Porsche has also introduced a whole new range of interior colour and trim options, widening the range from dark and sporty to light and luxurious. New trim elements such as optional carbon fibre woven with gold elements (or Neodyne in Porsche speak) are some of the more ostentatious choices, but with such a wide range of customers to appeal to – in the Chinese, American or the traditionally more conservative European markets – it’s a shrewd move to cover all the bases.
The engines will be evolutions of the current range, with both V6 and V8 petrols that will be available with and without plug-in hybrid modules. Expect some considerable improvements to EV range on the hybrids, as well as a more potent e-motor that should see power and performance improve alongside its overall efficiency. Pure-electric power will be catered for in a few year’s time when an all-electric Cayenne launches around 2026.
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Keyword: New Porsche Cayenne to be revealed on 18 April 2023