Porsche's electric bike gets car-based colour options and better suspension

Porsche has launched its fifth-generation electrified bike, meaning the deep-pocketed, lycra-clad souls of this world can get some posh pedal power colour-matched and tuned as finely as their Taycan Turbo GT or Macan SUV.

The Porsche eBike comes in four flavours: Cross (the entry-level model, priced from £4,994), Cross Performance (£7,471), Cross Performance EXC, and Sport (but of course, topping out at £8,309).

The Cross models are pretty similar, all featuring the same Shimano EP801 Motor offering 62lb ft torque, a carbon-fibre frame, 12-speed gearshift, super-bright front and back lights, and lightweight carbon wheel sets of varying characteristics.

The basic Cross model gets trail disc brakes, a smaller 504Wh battery and a telescopic seat post. The Cross Performance introduces four-piston Magura disc brakes, carbon handlebars, and a 630Wh Shimano battery in the bigger sizes. Remember though, the battery is there to help, not to do the work. 

Anyway, the EXC version is the one you get to match your Porsche paintwork to your bicycle. And frankly, if that deeply intense Purple Sky Metallic hue was available on toast, we'd take it. It's delicious.

Porsche eBike Sport is the top-of-the-range, city-and-trail-riding option. It weighs a waifey 21.6kg, thanks to an ultra-light carbon frame developed with Rotwild, a German performance bike engineer. The Sport variant also gets more torsion-resistant carbon handlebars and a super fancy suspension fork with 120 millimetres of travel – presumably to make those lumps and bumps less arm-aching.

Though the bike is stylishly photographed with the record-setting Taycan Turbo GT (above), Porsche's own bike rack doesn't actually fit that model, being suitable only for the Taycan Sport Turismo or Cross Turismo. Hmm, curious. 

Nonetheless, Porsche fans can expand their planet-saving credentials – and look good while doing it – if two wheels are more affordable than four.