New models What the electric Porsche Macan can do

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From 2024, the best-selling Porsche will only be available as an electric car. The new Macan is intended to prove that an electric Porsche can match, and even surpass, the combustion engine models in terms of performance and driving experience.

Ironically, the most popular Porsche will only be available with electric motors and a large battery in the future. The sports SUV Macan, which has sold 800,000 units in the past nine years with its high-revving and powerful gasoline engines, is at least retiring in Europe.

Quite bold to showcase the brand's best-selling and so far most affordable model since 2015 as the second electric car alongside the luxury sedan Taycan. With this, the prestigious VW subsidiary is taking the risk that many fans might turn away from the bestseller because they do not want to follow the path to an electric future.

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To prevent precisely this, Porsche has largely retained the familiar shape to also make the E-Macan immediately recognizable as such. But the best arguments to convince hesitant Porsche fans of the electric newcomer lurk in the innards of the approximately 4.80 meters long SUV. These can be experienced from the passenger seat, once turning onto the in-house racetrack within the Leipzig factory premises. Of course, every electric car shows most combustion engines its rear when it comes to acceleration from a standstill.

More than 1,000 Newton meters of torque

With the top model of the new Macan, mysteriously still called "Turbo", this becomes particularly clear. Two engines distribute their power to both axles, together producing 450 kW/612 hp. They catapult the 2.3-ton vehicle to 100 km/h in under four seconds. The previous Macan GTS can't keep up with that. It offers less power and only about half as much pulling power because the electric model exceeds the 1,000-newton meter mark.

This is especially noticeable when accelerating out of tight corners, as our factory driver floors the pedal. A sophisticated chassis tuning with air suspension pulls and pushes the Macan towards the next straight. No swaying of the body, hardly any lateral inclination, the sports heart starts racing, is this really an electric car? When fast bends have to be mastered in quick succession, the also new rear-axle steering helps. Off the track, the professional then demonstrates the turning circle, which deserves the label "suitable for old towns".

Off-road capable

After the typical Porsche lesson on the racetrack, the next test awaits. Right next door, the newcomer, with its all-wheel drive, must tackle steep ascents and descents on loose ground, which are not advisable to walk on foot. Beforehand, the mode is switched from "Sport Plus" to "Offroad" using a rotary dial. Then, there's a water crossing where the 180 battery cells are forced to submerge. "No worries, they are well encapsulated and thus protected," the man behind the wheel reassures.

Of course, the Macan is an SUV and not an off-road vehicle. But deep mud, slopes, or climbing on natural hills are situations where the Porsche driver will be assisted. Future owners will likely refrain from crawling over boulders, considering the expected high price and similarly high workshop costs.

Prices still unknown

Porsche has not yet revealed what the new top model of the Macan will cost. Since the current top combustion model, the GTS, stays just below the 100,000 euros mark, future customers should mentally prepare to add a significant amount.

The base model could be significantly cheaper, as it has only one motor and accordingly offers less performance. The upcoming Audi Q6 E-Tron might provide a hint. Its entry model is said to have a power output of 275 kW/375 HP. Like the Macan, the Audi is built on a jointly developed platform.

Both half-sisters have the same battery in the basement. It delivers around 100 kWh and is good for a range of around 500 kilometers in the Macan. It can be charged with up to 270 kW. Since there is an 800-volt network on board, it also charges faster. When the Porsche docks at a corresponding charging station, the battery can be charged from ten to 80 percent in 22 minutes.

Charging trick

During a brief stop, four minutes should be sufficient to "fuel up" energy for another 100 kilometers. If the electric thirst leads to a charging station that operates at 400 volts instead of 800, a trick is used: the battery is split into two halves with half the voltage, which can then be accommodated with those 400 volts.

An electric Macan can be identified by its steeply sloping front hood, under which an additional trunk ("Frunk") is hidden. The contoured fender housings accommodate the daytime running lights with the four horizontal LEDs known from the Taycan. The main headlights are located at the ends of the front bumper.

Sporty appearance

Due to the lack of a radiator grille, the overall impression is significantly sportier. A narrow lip above the asphalt improves aerodynamics. At the rear, the fenders bulge out more noticeably than before. A luminous conclusion is the continuous light strip under the gently sloping rear window, which conveys a touch of coupé feeling.

Inside, there are features borrowed from Porsche's electric pioneer, the Taycan. Three screens, two for the driver, one for the co-pilot. Should they feel like watching a movie, a special film blocks the view from the left seat. New is also a head-up display, which, for example, visually projects navigation arrows ten meters ahead of the car.

The voice assistant is now especially responsive and quick to questions and commands. Activated with the keyword "Hey Porsche," it provides the best route faster than before after a destination is entered and suggests charging stops.

Regarding sportiness, driving experience, and performance, the Macan should hit the mark with its discerning customers, even if this clientele largely belongs to the combustion engine enthusiasts. A change in thinking is necessary. After all, an electric 718 (Boxster/Cayman), a similar Cayenne, and a new luxury SUV are already in development.