Cayenne Electric prototype tested on historic Grossglockner

Porsche showcases Cayenne Electric prototype on Austria’s legendary Grossglockner High Alpine Road, linking brand heritage with innovation ahead of 2025 premiere.

The legendary Grossglockner High Alpine Road in Austria once again became a proving ground for Porsche’s future. Over the weekend, the company presented the prototype of the upcoming Cayenne Electric, reviving memories of the 1940s when Ferry Porsche tested the very first 356 No. 1 on the same mountain pass.

The 48-kilometre route with 36 hairpin bends and climbs up to 2,571 meters has long been part of Porsche’s development tradition. This time, Vice President of the Cayenne product line Michael Schätzle took the wheel. He noted that for Porsche, the Grossglockner is as important as the Nürburgring: the mix of steep elevation changes, sharp turns and unpredictable weather makes it an ideal testing ground for engines, brakes and chassis.

The prototype had already impressed crowds earlier in the year. At the Goodwood Festival of Speed it made its dynamic debut, and at the historic Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb it set a new SUV record, beating the previous best by more than four seconds with Formula E driver Gabriela Jílková behind the wheel.

The appearance in Austria was not just about engineering. The drive coincided with the season closing at FAT Mankei, the mountain café and cultural hub founded by Ferdinand Porsche in 2023. Between test runs, the camouflaged SUV was displayed outside, allowing visitors to catch a glimpse of the brand’s electric future up close.

Technology was equally in focus. The Cayenne Electric will be the first Porsche to feature inductive charging. Demonstrated at the IAA Mobility show in Munich, the 11 kW system works automatically when the car is parked above the charging plate, with efficiency above 90 percent. It aims to make everyday use of an electric SUV simpler and more convenient.

While Porsche has not yet released full specifications, the world premiere is scheduled for the end of 2025. The Cayenne Electric stands at the intersection of tradition and innovation: a model that carries forward the heritage of Grossglockner testing while setting new standards for the brand’s electric future.