Porsche is no stranger to pushing the limits of what a luxury vehicle can do, and it seems that their next foray into the world of electric vehicles (EVs) will be no different. The K1, a three-row all-electric SUV, is currently in development, and Auto Motor und Sport has recently shared some insider information about the highly anticipated vehicle.
Firstly, it’s worth noting that the K1 is set to be the biggest vehicle in Porsche’s range, even larger than the upcoming Macan electric SUV and the next-generation Cayenne. It will be built on the Volkswagen Group’s upcoming SSP architecture, but with a twist: while the architecture was expected to have 800-volt technology, the K1 will reportedly use 900 volts instead. This means that the K1 will have significantly decreased charging times, with a 10-80% state of charge possible in just 15 minutes.
Under the hood, the K1 is set to have a dual-motor setup with dual permanently excited synchronous motors featuring direct oil cooling for the stator. This negates the need for a two-speed box, with two electric motors providing direct drive units and sending power to mechanical locking differentials. With an adjustable air suspension, it looks like the K1 will be a genuinely capable off-roader.
According to the report, the K1 will have a continuous power output of around 650 horsepower, with a peak figure of closer to 1,000 hp. In a straight line, it should accelerate like a Porsche should. And while the K1 will be a large SUV, Porsche’s CEO, Oliver Blume, has promised that it will have a sporty interpretation of an SUV design.
While we’ll likely have to wait until 2026 to see the K1 as a concept, with an on-sale date closer to 2030, the K1 will undoubtedly be worth the wait. With Porsche already working on high-energy-density batteries, the K1 and next-generation Cayenne would be the perfect platforms to introduce this new technology. And while it remains to be seen whether the K1 will truly feel like a Porsche, the brand has a proven track record of pushing boundaries and defying expectations, as evidenced by their successful foray into SUVs with the Cayenne in 2002.
Overall, the K1 promises to be an exciting addition to Porsche’s lineup, offering a unique blend of sporty performance and rugged off-road capabilities. As EV technology continues to advance, we can only expect to see more impressive vehicles like the K1 emerge from the automotive industry in the years to come.
