The Cayenne Turbo Electric Chased the World's Largest Aircraft

The Porsche Cayenne Turbo Electric, driven by former factory driver Patrick Long, successfully traveled beneath Stratolaunch's "Roc," the world's largest aircraft by wingspan, during two takeoffs and two landings. The feat tested precision and stability, with the Cayenne reaching speeds above 170 mph while holding an exact position in calm air behind the landing gear.

Some ideas are born from curiosity. This one asked a simple question: could a car keep pace with the biggest plane on Earth?

The answer arrived at the Mojave Air and Space Port, where the Porsche Cayenne Turbo Electric proved it could. This was not a race. It was a test of precision, nerve, and complete trust in two remarkable machines.

What actually happened between the Cayenne and Roc?

Engineers at Stratolaunch operate Roc, an aircraft with a 385-foot wingspan and 340,500 pounds of thrust. That makes it larger and more powerful than the Airbus A380. Roc can lift off carrying a maximum weight of 1.3 million pounds.

Beneath the aircraft during takeoff and landing sits a violent storm of jet blast and turbulence. Yet the engineers calculated one exception. Just behind the trailing edge of the landing gear, ahead of the tail, a pocket of calm air exists. This bubble moves with the aircraft. Any vehicle attempting to drive there would need to hold a precise spot from the moment the engines fired through takeoff.

The new Cayenne Turbo Electric turned out to be the ideal candidate.

Why was the Cayenne Turbo Electric the right car for this?

The requirements were demanding. The car needed enormous power to stay with Roc at every speed, plus the stability to remain rock solid in turbulence. It also had to accelerate beyond 160 mph to exceed the aircraft's takeoff speed.

The Cayenne Turbo Electric delivers on all counts:

·         1,139 horsepower, making it the most powerful production Porsche to date

·         0 to 60 mph in 2.4 seconds

·         Active aerodynamics for stability at extreme speed

·         Optional Porsche Carbon Ceramic Brakes to scrub off speed with authority

It joins the combustion and E-Hybrid Cayenne variants on sale today.

What was it like to drive beneath a plane at 170 mph?

Endurance racer and former Porsche factory driver Patrick Long volunteered for the task.

"It was probably one of the most focused and intense moments of my life," Long said. He started slow, using minimal power to hold the car exactly where it needed to be. The real acceleration came once all six of Roc's engines spooled up.

"As the speeds shot north of 100 mph, I put it in Boost mode and utilized everything the Cayenne had, keeping right on the landing gear," Long explained. "It was an awesome feeling. The sound from those six engines was overwhelming and I could feel the turbulence bouncing off the car, but it remained rock solid, even after Roc took off and the engines were pointed down at me and the Cayenne."

He glanced at the speedometer as it read north of 170 mph before easing off the throttle.

Stratolaunch chief test pilot Jonathan "Beast" Bearce watched the footage afterward. "That took a lot of guts. I was seriously impressed by Patrick's composure and how the car handled pressure," he said. Later he drove the Cayenne himself and called it the fastest he had ever accelerated in a car.

In total, the Cayenne Turbo Electric completed two takeoffs and two landings beneath Roc. Passengers along for the ride included Porsche Design brand ambassador Orlando Bloom and automotive journalist Mat Watson. The car emerged unscathed.

Experience Porsche performance closer to home

Feats like this remind us why Porsche continues to redefine what a performance SUV can do. The Cayenne blends everyday capability with the kind of engineering that inspires headlines.

Ready to find yours? Explore the new Cayenne and Porsche lineup at Porsche Englewood, browse our Porsche Approved Certified Pre-Owned inventory, or view our used inventory for more options. Our expert team is here to help. Call Porsche Englewood today at (201) 227-6500.