Porsche's Flagship 'Prestige' SUV Will Launch With Gas, PHEV Models

Porsche has shelved the all-electric flagship three-row SUV now committing to launching it with a lineup of gas and plug-in hybrid powertrains.

Stop us if you've heard this one before: in the face of a difficult market, a major automaker is rethinking its electric future plans. Porsche is the latest brand to provide a detailed path forward, and the changes touch on nearly every one of its existing models—and one new one. The anticipated three-row SUV meant to slot in above the Cayenne as the new flagship, codenamed K1, will no longer be fully electric, but will instead launch at some point before 2030 with a range of gas and plug-in hybrid setups.

The news comes as part of a comprehensive investor call with CEO Oliver Blume late last week. Blume laid down a host of updates for the German brand, not just on the "Prestige" SUV but on the 718 sports cars as well, which will retain their gas powertrains in "top" trims. Blume said Porsche is facing multiple headwinds: the continued volatility of the US market and tariffs, China's rejection of foreign luxury brands, and the global slowdown of EV adoption.

In addition to the K1 now foregoing a fully electric variant, Blume has also confirmed a smaller gas- and hybrid-powered SUV to replace the first-generation Macan. The existing ICE powertrains of the Cayenne and Panamera will continue on with "major overhauls" well into the next decade as well. Lastly, a proposed new EV architecture has been pushed back to at least 2030 and will be co-designed with other Volkswagen Group brands.

The all-electric Cayenne (pictured at top) isn't changing, however, and is still expected to launch within the next 12 months.

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