The Porsche Macan EV is Enchantment Electrified
The Porsche Macan EV charmed us with its luscious exterior details, solid engineering and impressive performance details at its world premiere (as we knew it would).
Annika Carter
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The 2024 Porsche Macan Electric is Fueled by Thrills
Launched just over 10 years ago, the Porsche Macan quickly made its mark on the Porsche family of vehicles, becoming Porsche’s best-selling model in 2015. Now, with over 800,000 units sold, Porsche is taking the Macan to an all-new level. An electrified level.
In 2024, the current model, the gas-powered Macan, will be sold alongside the new electric Macan, which comprises the “4” and “Turbo” trim packages. As with all Porsche vehicles, the goal of the new Macan was to design the best vehicle in its class between performance, driving experience, and design.
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The front end of the Porsche Macan EV has elements of the Taycan while still being undoubtedly Macan. Photo: Porsche
Impeccable Exterior Design in the Porsche Macan EV
The new electrified Macan marries the classic design of the gas-powered Macan with elements of both the current production Taycan and the Porsche Mission R, an all-electric racing vehicle Porsche revealed in 2021.
The proportions of the car harken to Porsche’s sporty lineage – it may be a compact SUV, but it is still a Porsche! The Porsche Macan electric is a little wider than its gas powered counterpart and has a sloping coupe-like roofline, giving an elegant and sporty profile. The rear end features Porsche’s identifying LED bar running across the width of the vehicle. On the front end, large vents beneath the headlights maintain the muscular appearance, while the headlights, both in shape and placement, resemble those of its electric siblings.
The exterior of the car is also fitted with active aerodynamic elements, including an active spoiler and cooling flaps at the front air intakes. The overall design of the car is more aerodynamic than the gas-powered Macan, decreasing drag and resulting in 85 km (52 miles) more range.
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The three-screen multimedia system includes one section that is viewable and controllable by the passenger. Photo: Annika Carter
Remarkable Interior Details Are Presented
While Porsches are sporty, most consumers purchase a Macan for the unmatched Porsche driving experience, and the electric Macan is sure to deliver on this front. Thanks to the lack of a gas engine, the new Macan has two luggage compartments for extra storage. Additionally, the rear passengers will experience more legroom than in the gas-powered version. As with all other Porsche models, the interior materials are sure to be the epitome of luxury.
The front display consists of three total screens spanning the width of the dashboard, including, for the first time, a screen that can be controlled by the passenger. The head up display uses new augmented reality technology. Consistent with other Porsche models, the infotainment will be both Android Auto and Apple Car Play compatible and include Porsche Communication Management standard, including the “Hey Porsche” voice assistant. The new Porsche App Center will also allow owners to download apps from third-party providers directly to their vehicle.
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The rear end of the Porsche Macan EV with Porsche’s signature LED light bar. Photo: Porsche
Performance in the Porsche Macan EV
Of course, the new electric Macan varies from its predecessor the most in terms of performance. Yes, one is powered by gas while the other is powered by electricity, but the performance differences go well beyond that.
Let’s start with numbers. The electric Macan 4 can produce up to 402 hp and the Macan Turbo up to 630 hp, with maximum torque figures of 479 lb-ft and 833 lb-ft, respectively. If those numbers just seem like gibberish, the car is quick. The Macan 4 can accelerate to 60 in 4.9 seconds, while the Turbo accomplishes the same feat in a blistering 3.1 seconds, quicker than the gas-powered Macan models and quicker even than the 2023 Porsche 911 Carrera.
No gas engine means extra storage space up front in the Porsche Macan EV. Photo: Porsche
Seeing Fine Engineering Details with the Help of Virtual Reality
At the Porsche Headquarters in Atlanta, we had the opportunity to walk around a VR display of the powertrain of the new Macan and really see, up close, the engineering that goes into creating such a quick, compact SUV and such a smooth ride.
The power of the Macan 4 and Macan Turbo comes from dual electric motors, one mounted to the front axle and one to the rear, tied to a 100 kWh battery beneath the car. The Macan 4 and Macan Turbo are both all-wheel-drive, with a bias towards rear-wheel power when cruising with full traction. The bias between front and rear-wheel drive is controlled by the Porsche Traction Management system, an electronic system that operates about five times quicker than other all-wheel drive systems, giving a response to slippery conditions as quick as 10 milliseconds.
The electric battery of the new Macan will have a range of 591 km (367 miles) in the Macan Turbo to 613 km (380 miles) in the Macan 4 and can charge from 10-80% in 21 minutes at an appropriately-powered fast charger. As with other EVs, it will feature regenerative braking but will not feature one-pedal driving.
A VR up-close look at the front axle and air suspension on the Porsche Macan EV. Photo: Porsche
Porsche Macan EV Steering and More
The Macan 4 and Macan Turbo will be the first Macan models with optional rear-axle steering with up to 5 degrees of steering in the rear wheels. The rear wheels turn in the opposite direction of the front wheels at low speeds, allowing for a tighter steering radius and in the same direction as the front wheels at high speeds, giving greater stability when cornering at speed.
Additionally, both Macan 4 and Macan Turbo models will come standard with air suspension and Porsche Active Suspension Management damping control. This allows the driver a wide range of control in suspension feel, either to increase comfort or performance.
The new Macan 4 will have a starting price of $78,800, while the Macan Turbo price begins at $105,300, not including delivery, processing, or handling fees.
The electric Macan is available for orders now, with the first units expected to be delivered during the later portion of this year. EPA range figures are not available at this time.
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