► Large electric SUV to join range in 2027
► Currently codenamed ‘K1’
► Will run on VW Group SSP platform
Porsche’s line-up will grow to include a large SUV that will sit above the Cayenne and its Cayenne Coupe variant.
Chairman of the Board, Oliver Blume, confirmed during the 2024 Porsche Annual Press conference that the new electric SUV, which is currently codenamed ‘K1’ will ‘be the sportiest SUV in its segment.’ Lutz Meshke, member of the board for finance, also said that the new model would launch in the ‘second half of the decade.’
Porsche’s electric model range is growing, with the Taycan having been facelifted and the electric Macan having finally gone on sale after two years of delays. CAR understands that we’ll likely see a 718 replacement go electric within the next two years, and the new ‘K1’ will act as a luxury flagship for the brand. Blume added that the production model would be built at Porsche’s Leipzig plant, currently where the Macan and Panamera are built.
The additional details come after the brand confirmed the SUV was on the way in 2023’s annual conference. Blume said then: ‘we are going to expand our product portfolio at the top end, introducing a new all-electric SUV – in doing so, we will underline and strengthen our position in the luxury car segment.’
By introducing this new model, Porsche hopes to increase its sales, particularly in the Chinese and North American markets.
While not much is known about the design of the Porsche K1, the 2023 press conference showed a car under a cloth on the screen behind Blume (above), with the boss saying the new K1 ‘is a new vehicle concept, with the flyline typical of Porsche, as well as impressive performance, automated driving functions and a new interior experience.’
Porsche’s huge electrification plans explained
Underpinning the new K1 SUV will be the VW Group’s SSP platform, due to start being deployed by the group from 2026. SSP will succeed both MEB (currently used for smaller EVs) and PPE (will be used for larger cars across the group between now and 2026), and the K1’s version is dubbed ‘SSP Sport.’
SSP is designed with more automated driving functions than before, as well as denser batteries and a more flexible number of configuration options.