Richard Hammond Shares His Porsche 911 Passion and Cayenne Electric Experience

Richard Hammond reflects on his Porsche 911 journey and tests the Cayenne Electric's performance and utility on a demanding hill climb.

Richard Hammond, best known for his automotive escapades and unmistakable British wit, returns behind the wheel of a Porsche to speak candidly about a love that’s never faded. In a recent interview for issue 414 of Christophorus magazine, he shares thoughts on the 911, the first Porsche he ever bought back in 1996, and reflects on his latest test of the new electric Cayenne.

But Hammond is far more than a TV personality. He’s also a restorer, collector, and full-fledged car enthusiast. At his Herefordshire-based workshop, The Smallest Cog, classic machines — including Porsches — are brought back to life. One such vehicle, over a century old and weighing more than two tons, became the subject of a recent film shoot. Hammond towed it using a near-production Cayenne Electric prototype, with the total trailer load reaching around three tons. The result? As he puts it, the car handled the task "effortlessly."

The setting was the historic Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb — one of the world’s oldest motorsport venues — where the electric SUV showcased not just torque and power, but composure and control. While full technical specs of the Cayenne Electric remain under wraps, it’s known to feature the Porsche Active Ride system and impressive towing capabilities, reinforcing Porsche’s push into the electric era without compromising practicality.

When asked to describe the 911 in three words, Hammond calls it "characterful, practical, fast." He jokes that he wouldn’t transport a wardrobe in it, but that’s precisely the point — the 911 can do almost anything. He recalls stopping to show his parents the very first 911 he bought — a moment he marks as central in his Porsche journey.

This interview forms part of the "911 Love" series, which has previously featured names like Jeff Zwart and Becky Evans — each offering a personal and distinct relationship with the model. Hammond fits comfortably among them. For him, Porsche isn’t merely transportation. It’s a vessel of memory, engineering, and the quiet thrill of doing things well.