729

Cayenne pepper is too hot for some, but it sits about in the middle of the Scoville scale of chili pepper heat. Porsche, however, has declined to name its newest vehicle the Chiltepin, the Birdseye, or the Carolina Reaper.

But they must have been tempted. The company this week debuted the 2024 Porsche Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid – what Porsche is calling “the most powerful Cayenne of all time.”

Better yet, it’s cheaper than the previous record-holder, the Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid.

The Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid has an MSRP of $146,900, not including the $1,650 delivery, processing, and handling fee. A sleek-roofed version called the Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid Coupe has an MSRP of $151,400.

An updated Cayenne debuted in April. It wore an evolutionary design outside and a more radical makeover inside, with a combination of digital and analog controls and an optional passenger screen.

At the time, Porsche announced four powertrain options, ranging from 348 horsepower to 650 in the nearly $200,000 Cayenne Turbo GT. But Porsche fans suspected more options were coming. The Cayenne it replaced, after all, had seven powertrains to choose from.

This week, Porsche revealed a more powerful option. The Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid is powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 combined with a 174-horse electric motor. Together, they put out 729 horsepower and 700 pound-feet of torque.

Porsche says, “The Turbo E-Hybrid accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds and on to a top track speed of 183 mph.”

It’s a plug-in hybrid, but you could be forgiven for missing that fact in the promotional materials. Porsche says the battery can charge to full in “less than 2.5 hours using a suitable wallbox or charger.” The company gives no indication of its electric-only range – probably not a good sign for those hoping to drive on electric power alone regularly. The current Cayenne E-Hybrid gets around 15 miles.

Every Cayenne is all-wheel drive. An adaptive air suspension is standard. You can adjust the rebound rate and compression separately. Porsche says the difference between Comfort and Sport Plus modes should be easier to feel now.

“Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus is also included as standard on the Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid. Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control, as well as rear-axle steering, can be ordered as options at an extra cost,” the company adds.

You’ll be able to tell them apart from regular peppers by the unique front fascia with larger air intakes. Red-painted brake calipers are standard. But quad exhaust pipes and a badge are the only clues in the rear.

It’s likely to be a short-lived model. Porshe says an all-new, all-electric Cayenne is coming, likely in 2025 or later. It will probably still carry the Cayenne name — too much brand equity to trade it away now. But we all know a Scotch Bonnet when we taste one.

See how the latest models measure up based on expert ratings from our Kelley Blue Book editors. See all Best Hybrid Rankings.

2023 Toyota Prius

2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid

2023 Ford F150 SuperCrew Cab

2024 Lexus ES

2023 Lexus RX

The best cars and best deals delivered to your inbox

Considering a

Price the 2024 Porsche Cayenne on KBB.com

Audi Teases Updated Q8

2024 Acura MDX vs. 2023 Infiniti QX60 Comparison

2024 Acura ZDX: Electric SUV With Elegant Look, 325-Mile Range

729-Horsepower Porsche Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid Is the Hottest Pepper

2023 Mazda CX-30 vs. 2023 Hyundai Venue Comparison

Recall Alert: Volkswagen Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport

2024 Kia Soul Gets Few Changes, Almost Unchanged Price

Florida Warns of Contaminated Fuel Ahead of Tropical Storm Idalia

What Happens if You Put Diesel in a Gas Car?

New Range Rover SV Bespoke Service Lets You Customize Everything

Hyundai, Kia Agree to $200M Settlement Over Thefts