Porsche has begun teasing its 2024 Cayenne by revealing images and details of the big SUV's new high-tech cabin. The latest Cayenne will be revealed in full at the Auto Shanghai motor show in China on April 18, with Irish sales expected to start in time for the "241" registration in January next year.
Taycan-inspired layout
The new Cayenne's cabin takes its lead from that of the Porsche Taycan in terms of a fully-digital approach. In front of the driver sits a 12.6-inch curved display that can be customised in its layout. Porsche says there are up to seven different selectable views, including the classic five-dial look. To the left of the instruments is the engine-start button, and on the right is the drive selector. The latter takes the form of a toggle switch with a large P button for Park, very similar to that of the Taycan.
All this frees up the centre console and that's where the new air conditioning controls are found. In wonderful news for everyone that realises that touchscreen-based switchgear for such things is an awful idea, the Cayenne will feature physical buttons and switches for the heating and ventilation system, unlike the all-touch Taycan. However, the Taycan's air vents with no physical, visible louvres are carried over to the Cayenne.
Naturally, there's also a central touchscreen to control the myriad other infotainment functions of the Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system - and the new Cayenne will be better connected than any Porsche before it. It's a 12.3-inch display offering Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity (just scan the QR code on the screen to connect), while Spotify and Apple Music are also integrated into the on-board software.
Video streaming while on the move
Screenhits TV is also found in the PCM, allowing connection of a variety of streaming service accounts. When the Cayenne is parked up it will be possible to watch video on the central screen. A new option allows buyers to specify an additional touchscreen for the front-seat passenger. This is a 10.9-inch unit with a special foil in the display to prevent the driver from seeing it. That means the front-seat passenger can watch videos through the streaming service even when the car is in motion. They'll also have access to the rest of the infotainment system via the extra screen, allowing them set the navigation, etc.
Cooled smartphone charging
More technology is found in the new Cayenne's on-board device charging. Along with four USB-C ports (two in the front, two in the back), all cars are fitted as standard with a high-powered wireless charging pad. This is in fact a cooled unit, allowing phone recharging at up to 15 watts.
911-sourced steering wheel
A three-spoke, leather-bound steering wheel is fitted, based on that of the Porsche 911. The driving mode switch is standard, allowing selection of Normal, Offroad, Sport and Sport Plus modes, and it appears to also have the central button that gives the car maximum performance for a short burst of acceleration when required. There are gearchange paddles behind the wheel, while the layout of the instrumentation and the operation of the (optional) head-up display are also accessed directly though the steering wheel switchgear.
Cayenne to go electric?
Although Porsche has yet to reveal any powertrain information for the new Cayenne, its press release on the interior did make mention of combustion engines, so it's expected that the five-seat SUV will launch with petrol power and possibly plug-in hybrid, too. Indeed, it's expected to be built on the underpinnings of the current car.
The outgoing model features a wide range of options, from the 2.9-litre V6 of the €123,505 entry-level variant up to the 700hp Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid and the GT-developed Cayenne Turbo GT that costs nigh on €300,000.
Nonetheless, Porsche has also already confirmed that there will be a fully-electric Cayenne in time and it's expected that will share the new interior revealed here. However, the electric Cayenne will be built on the so-called PPE (Premium Platform Electric) architecture developed in conjunction with Audi, and is not expected on sale until 2026. It will be preceded by an electric Porsche Macan.
Sneak peek at the Cayenne's exterior
Scroll through the image gallery of the Cayenne's interior and you'll find a designer sketch in among the photographs that hints at the new car's exterior style. The overall profile isn't dramatically different to the current car's, but the wheelarches are more pronounced, the back of the side glass is more curved, there's a large integrated roof spoiler, a prominent aerodynamic diffuser design to the rear bumper and, most distinctively of all, a full-width rear light bar.
It's not known at this stage if there will be a Cayenne Coupe in the next generation of the SUV.