2024 Porsche Macan Electric revealed
The best sporty high-rider on the market is getting even better with a wild and potent new version arriving on Australian roads soon.
Luxury
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The second generation Porsche Macan sets a new performance benchmark for mid-sized SUVs – and does it without using a drop of fuel.
Against a field of big performance petrol and hybrid engines, the all-new five-seat Macan does away with tradition to focus solely on electricity for its performance, as Porsche heads towards 80 per cent of its sales being fully electric by 2030.
Designed from the outset as an EV (rather than adapted from a petrol platform), the all-new Macan is due in Australia in the fourth quarter of 2024 and will bring with it supercar-like acceleration that trounces any rival SUV powered by petrol.
“Our aim is to offer the sportiest model in its segment with the all-electric Macan,” says Jörg Kerner, vice president product line Macan.
The new Macan – the latest iteration of Porsche’s top-selling model – will initially be offered in two guises, each with two electric motors driving all four wheels. But more variants – including a single motor rear-drive model – are set to flesh out the range.
The most affordable model is known as the Macan 4 and sells from $133,700 plus on-road costs.
Its e-motors make a combined 300kW and 650Nm and it can top 100km/h in 5.2 seconds.
That’s in the mix with other go-fast SUVs from German rivals.
But the more powerful $180,100 plus costs Macan Turbo – there is no turbocharger, with Porsche instead carrying over its long-running badging – makes 470kW and a massive 1130Nm, allowing it to blast to 100km/h in 3.3 seconds.
That makes it faster than the V8-beating four-cylinder hybrid unit in the upcoming Mercedes-Benz GLC63 S AMG and the mighty twin turbocharged six-cylinder engine in the BMW X3 M Competition.
The base model Macan 4 has a 12.6-inch curved instrument cluster, 10.9-inch central infotainment screen, 360-degree camera, smart-key entry, adaptive cruise control and lane change assist.
Local versions of the Macan 4 will also get Porsche Active Suspension Management electronically adjustable dampers and 14-way electrically adjustable front seats.
The Macan Turbo adds more gear including a panoramic sunroof, quad-zone ventilation, Sport Chrono pack and an advanced synthesised sound that was inspired by the electric motor’s natural noises.
Other goodies include there’s adjustable height air suspension, Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus and an electronically locking rear differential designed to improve traction and cornering prowess.
There will be no shortage of options, either, including a head-up display and rear wheel steering that can aid low speed manoeuvrability and improve high-speed stability.
As with the outgoing petrol-fuelled Macan, the EV can tow up to 2000kg.
The new Macan also has over-the-air software updates and the Android Automotive operating system; while it’s used only to control infotainment in the Macan, the advanced control system can also be tasked with controlling everything from lights and ventilation to seats and instruments.
Both Macan variants have a 100kWh battery with 95kWh of usable capacity.
In the Macan 4 the WLTP range is 613km while in the Macan Turbo it’s 591km.
The Macan also promises some of the fastest charging in the business courtesy of an innovative 800V electrical system that can effectively split the battery into two 400V units when charging from more common 400V chargers.
AC charging can be done at up to 11kW, for a full charge in about 10 hours, while DC charging can be done at up to 270kW for a 10 to 80 per cent charge in as little as 21 minutes.
While the new Macan evolves the look of the original it also leverages the packaging advantages of its EV architecture, shared with sister brand Audi.
Occupants sit lower than before (28mm up front and 15mm in the rear) and the bonnet is lower and sleeker.
There’s about 30 per cent more luggage space, with up to 540 litres behind the seats and 84 litres under the bonnet.
There are also frameless windows for a sportier appearance and a raked roofline that borders on a coupe silhouette.
While the Macan does away with a roof-mounted spoiler, there’s an active rear wing at the rear, which pops up to increase downforce for sportier driving.
The Turbo has additional air vents on each side at the rear to visually differentiate it.
The Macan EV will be briefly sold alongside the existing petrol-powered model but in 2025 it will be the only option for those choosing Porsche’s most affordable SUV.
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