Porsche’s most spacious and opulent vehicle to date, known by the codename K1, has been seen for the first time as it enters the testing phase, roughly three years ahead of its anticipated release.
New images, seemingly captured at a Porsche testing facility, claim to reveal the upcoming electric SUV during dynamic testing, offering a first glimpse of its size and design. Let’s take a closer look:
A new crossover
Designed to compete with the Mercedes-Benz EQS and BMW iX, the K1 offers the added advantage of a third row of seats. It has previously been described as featuring a “part saloon, part crossover” silhouette.
These initial images appear to confirm that description, with the prototype standing as tall as the Cayenne but showcasing a flatter roofline, a straighter rear, a longer wheelbase, and a lower ride height.
Familiar?
Gaps in the camouflage hint that the K1 will share a visual resemblance with the new electric Porsche Macan, including the recognizable LED headlight design and wraparound rear light bar.
However, heavy cladding and fake trim details conceal much of the finer design elements.
It’s uncommon to see a vehicle testing with production-spec bodywork as early as three years before its launch, but with the Macan EV first appearing on the road in 2021, it seems likely that the design of its larger sibling has already been finalized.
All-new
Porsche insiders have previously hinted that the K1, measuring over five meters in length, will deliver “a completely new experience inside,” along with “strong performance” and autonomous driving capabilities.
To ensure it can handle off-road conditions, the K1 is also expected to feature significant ride height in its most extreme driving mode. Ground clearance will be adjustable through advanced air suspension with multiple settings.
Sporting
Porsche CEO Oliver Blume has called the K1 “a very sporty interpretation of an SUV,” emphasizing that it will deliver strong performance, automated driving, and the signature Porsche flyline, along with an entirely new interior experience.
He further stated, “This new vehicle concept reinforces our sporty luxury positioning. We’re seeing expanding profit opportunities in this segment, particularly in China and the US.”
China market
Deputy chairman Lutz Meschke described the K1 as the “perfect match for the Chinese market.” Upon its arrival, this advanced four-wheel-drive flagship will lead a growing Porsche lineup, which will soon encompass seven distinct models.
The K1 will feature cutting-edge synchronous electric motors, high-performance batteries, and rapid-charging technology—advancements that insiders at Porsche’s Zuffenhausen headquarters in Germany predict will push its price well beyond that of the current ICE Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT.
Concept
Already three years in the making, the K1 is poised to build on the success of the Porsche Cayenne and Macan, which have been the brand’s best-selling models for the past two decades.
Once launched, the K1 will become Porsche’s sixth electric vehicle, following the Porsche Taycan, the electric Macan, an electric Boxster and Cayman duo set for release in 2025, and a tentative electric Cayenne planned for 2026.
SSP Sport
The K1 will be the first vehicle to utilize Porsche’s version of Volkswagen Group’s Scalable Systems Platform, known as SSP Sport.
While specific details remain limited, this platform is expected to deliver greater performance than the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture used in the electric Macan and Audi Q6 E-tron.
Insiders suggest the K1 will feature a 920V electrical system for faster charging compared to the 800V PPE-based models and will include oil cooling for its motors.
Although details on the battery pack are still under wraps, it is likely to use a cell-to-chassis design for enhanced structural integrity, with a capacity exceeding 100kWh and a WLTP range of over 435 miles in its most efficient version.
Chassis
The K1 is set to feature advanced chassis technology, including electronically controlled four-wheel steering that will allow the rear wheels to turn by up to 5 degrees, enhancing maneuverability at low speeds and improving agility at higher speeds.
This system will work alongside an electronic differential that provides a torque-vectoring effect to each rear wheel.
Inside, Porsche will prioritize space, thanks to key architectural innovations in the new SSP Sport platform.
These include a low cabin floor made possible by a slimline battery pack, as well as rear footwells similar to those found in the Taycan’s J1 platform.
Production of the K1 is slated to take place alongside the electric Macan at Porsche’s Leipzig factory in Germany, which currently produces the Macan, Cayenne, and Panamera.