- Porsche is developing a new flagship SUV—codenamed “K1″—that will be bigger than the mid-size Cayenne.
- The K1 has a boxier roofline and will likely have room for seven passengers.
- A new 900-volt electrical architecture will help reduce charging times, and the K1 is expected to have an air suspension and rear-axle steering.
Nearly two years ago, Porsche confirmed plans for a new flagship SUV that will sit above the Cayenne in the automaker’s lineup and ride on a new electric vehicle architecture. Now our spy photographer has captured photos of an early prototype testing near Porsche’s development facilities in Germany, providing a better sense of just how big this new crossover—codenamed “K1″—will be when it arrives for the 2027 model year.
In the photos, the K1 looks considerably longer and chunkier than the Cayenne. The more squared-off roofline is accentuated by the side window profile, which kicks upwards at the rear instead of swooping downwards, although this section may be a facade covering the true daylight opening. While the front and rear bumpers are heavily masked, the headlights take on a very similar shape to those on the new 2024 Macan EV, and the thin taillights form part of a black trim piece stretching the width of the liftgate.
Although Porsche hasn’t outright confirmed how many passengers the K1 will hold, the SUV is believed to offer up to seven seats; the large silhouette further suggests that three rows are likely. A sportier version of Volkswagen’s upcoming Scalable Systems Platform (SSP) will underpin the K1, and it’s expected to pack a 900-volt battery that will allow for ultra-rapid charging, going from 10 to 80 percent in as little as 12 minutes.
The K1 should also include four-wheel steering to help the big SUV navigate tight spaces, while an electronic differential will help make the large SUV handle like its Porsche namesake. As befitting a luxury SUV, an air suspension will likely be standard. The K1 will also be equipped with the latest automated driving features.
The Porsche K1 will go up against the two-row Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV as well as the seven-seat Rivian R1S and the upcoming Range Rover EV that will be revealed this year. Pricing should easily eclipse $100,000 and may even start higher than the Cayenne Turbo’s $148,550 base price. Production is due to begin in 2026, with the flagship SUV going on sale in the U.S. for the 2027 model year.
Caleb Miller began blogging about cars at 13 years old, and he realized his dream of writing for a car magazine after graduating from Carnegie Mellon University and joining the Car and Driver team. He loves quirky and obscure autos, aiming to one day own something bizarre like a Nissan S-Cargo, and is an avid motorsports fan.
Source: www.caranddriver.com