Released Later This Year, Porsche Cayenne Electric Undergoes Extreme Testing In Real And Virtual Worlds

JAKARTA - In the development of the Cayenne Electric, Porsche relies on massive digital testing. However, the touch of humans remains irreplaceable. Engineers test this SUV to its limits, both in freezing and extreme heat, proving that digital transformation and engineering expertise must go hand in hand.

The plan, quoted from the manufacturer's website, Tuesday, September 16, is that this all-electric SUV will be launched at the end of the year and will be marketed in conjunction with current combustion and hybrid combustion models.

Deputy Chairperson and Member of the Litbang Executive Council Porsche Dr. Michael Steiner, explained that the project was the first in which they went directly from digital vehicle testing to production. About 120 physical prototypes that took time to be made were largely replaced by digital twins where engineers were able to perform virtual testing since the early design phase. Simulations and artificial intelligence have changed and accelerated the testing process radically.

The test builds on top of the three main pillars of highly precise digital routes ranging from N\"urburgring to daily traffic, decades of experience engineers from field testing, as well as rapidly increasing modern computing power. This allows engineers not only to visualize Cayenne virtually, but also to test it directly in a digital environment. These virtual testing results are then reverified by testing real physical components on test benches.

For this purpose, Porsche developed a new sophisticated composite test bench. This bench allows testing of propulsion, battery, energy management, and charging systems simultaneously in realistic conditions. The synchronous engine can be programmed to simulate various road conditions, acceleration barriers, and styles during braking. In fact, engineer Marcus Junige stated that this machine is so sophisticated that it can simulate different asphalt surfaces or tire slips.

Although simulations are very accurate, final tuning is still carried out by humans. The leadership of the Vehicle Testing Team at the Weissach Development Center, Sascha Niesen, confirmed that only humans can make final refinements. The experience of test drivers is very important in balancing driving dynamics and control strategies. Cayenne Electric is tested in all usage scenarios, both in cities, highways, and offroads, with a special focus on optimal charging management.

The combination between digital and real-world testing proved to be very effective, as evidenced by testing in extreme climatic conditions. In hot areas such as the Middle East and Death Valley, thermal systems and air conditioning were tested up to 50 degrees Celsius, while in Scandinavia with temperatures minus 35 degrees Celsius, vehicles were tested for cold start, traction, handling, and braking behavior. As a result, the Cayenne Electric development process was shortened to 20 percent, becoming more efficient, precise, and resource-friendly.