The V8 lives on! Porsche to continue developing V8 engine from Cayenne Turbo GT as testing for next-gen BMW iX, Audi Q6 e-tron rival kicks off

Porsche is working hard on its next generation all-electric Cayenne SUV, but that doesn’t mean it's putting all of its V8 development on ice. 

In a stunning admission, Porsche Chairman, Oliver Blume, said the company would continue to develop the V8 combustion engine that powers the hugely popular Cayenne Turbo GT well into the next decade, alongside a fourth-generation EV variant. 

“The Cayenne has always defined the sports car in its segment. In the middle of the decade, the fourth generation will set standards in the segment as an electric SUV.

“At the same time, into the next decade our customers will still be able to choose from a wide range of powerful and efficient combustion and hybrid models,” said Blume.

It means the Cayenne will eventually be offered in three different engine variants – internal combustion petrol, hybrid and EV. 

The decision comes as Porsche joins a growing number of automakers in saying their EV transition goals were too ambitious. 

“Our product strategy could enable us to deliver more than 80 per cent of our new cars fully electrified in 2030 – depending on the demand of our customers and the development of electromobility in the regions of the world,” said Blume.

Porsche had previously stated it was fully committed to an 80 per cent EV line-up by 2030. 

The Cayenne is Porsche’s best-selling model, with the 485kW Cayenne twin-turbo GT a competitor in the sports SUV segment alongside the Aston Martin DBX, Lamborghini Urus, Bentley Bentayga and BMW XM.

It received a major upgrade last year, and this latest announcement suggests that the existing Cayenne is in for at least one update as it will sell alongside the next-gen electric Cayenne.