GABRIELA JÍLKOVÁ Smashes SUV Record by 4+ Seconds in Electric Porsche Cayenne

July 7, 2025

by Michael Pickering // from www.whichcar.com.au

• GABRIELA JÍLKOVÁ, development and simulator driver for TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team, absolutely demolished the SUV record at England’s legendary Shelsley Walsh hill climb, shaving more than four seconds off the previous mark with a blistering 31.28-second run. Her performance in the camouflaged Cayenne Electric prototype hit the 60-foot mark in just 1.94 seconds – territory usually reserved for purpose-built single-seaters on slick tyres, not an SUV on standard summer rubber.
• The record-breaking run showcased Porsche’s new Active Ride chassis system, which kept the electric Cayenne planted and controlled through the course’s demanding 16.7% gradients and tight corners. “I felt completely confident at all times,” JÍLKOVÁ said, crediting the active suspension for delivering “enormous stability and precision” that allowed her to push the prototype to its limits on the narrow 914-metre course.
• Beyond pure speed, Porsche proved the Cayenne Electric’s real-world utility by having it tow over two tonnes of vintage car plus trailer during filming with Richard Hammond, demonstrating its 3.5-tonne maximum towing capacity matches traditional combustion SUVs. The prototype will make its next public appearance at Goodwood Festival of Speed from July 10-13, continuing Porsche’s staged rollout of their second all-electric SUV.

electric vehicles, hill climb, porsche, shelsley walsh