- Porsche’s new flagship SUV won’t be electric.
- It will reportedly move to a new platform and offer V6 and V8 engine options.
- The SUV will likely also have a plug-in hybrid option.
At one point, Porsche was all about electrification, with ambitious plans for an electric-heavy lineup of sports cars, sedans and SUVs. But as demand for electric cars declines – especially in the US – the automaker appears to be pulling back.
The upcoming K1 SUV would initially be electric only. Now, according to a new report from CoachPorsche is preparing V6 and V8 powertrain options instead. The K1 will reportedly share its platform with Audi’s upcoming Q9 and offer a range of petrol-powered configurations.
Photo by: Motor1.com
Instead of riding on the previously planned all-electric Scalable Systems Platform, the K1 will use Volkswagen Group’s Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) architecture. This shift allows for greater flexibility, including five- and seven-seat layouts, as well as traditional gas and plug-in hybrid powertrains.
Engine options are expected to include Porsche’s existing 3.0-liter V6 and 4.0-liter V8 units. Power should reflect the Porsche Cayenne range, ranging from around 350 to 730 hp depending on equipment.
Photo by: Porsche
The move is in line with comments from Porsche CEO Oliver Blume in September, who said shifting the K1 to combustion power better reflects “new market realities and changing customer demands.” However, a fully electric variant is not excluded.
Porsche is expected to launch the K1 about a year after Audi unveils the Q9, which is expected to happen in late 2026. Production will take place at Volkswagen Group’s Bratislava plant in Slovakia, alongside the Q9 and Cayenne EV.
Taking Motor1s: With electric vehicle adoption slowing, Porsche’s decision to diversify the K1’s powertrain options is a pragmatic move. Offering V6 and V8 variants could broaden the SUV’s appeal while maintaining flexibility for future electrification.
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