Porsche Macan electric: new details revealed ahead of 2024 launch

The launch of the fully electric Porsche Macan is still a little way off, with the next generation of the popular SUV not due to arrive until 2024. But that hasn’t stopped Porsche from providing us with some technical details in the meantime.

The Macan EV will use the new PPE platform that’ll underpin the forthcoming Audi Q6 e-tron SUV, A6 e-tron saloon and A6 Avant e-tron estate. Power will come from a roughly 100kWh capacity battery, while charging speeds will be faster than even the Porsche Taycan’s 270kW thanks to an 800-volt electrical system. Porsche says a 5-80% top-up will take less than 25 minutes if owners can find a 350kW ultra-rapid charger.

The PPE underpinnings can accommodate both rear and all-wheel drive setups, but the electric Macan will feature two electric motors – one on each axle – for a total power output of more than 600bhp and over 1,000Nm of torque in the fastest models.

Those involved with the car’s development have also told us the car will run in rear-drive mode most of the time, with the front motor disconnected, like in the latest Taycans. The Macan will be capable of torque vectoring from front to rear, too, plus rear steering up to five degrees which should help with manoeuvrability around town and stability at higher speeds.

Senior engineers from the project told DrivingElectric in 2022 the PPE platform has enabled significant chassis tweaks that will “make the Macan feel unmistakably like a Porsche”. Porsche’s first electric SUV will feature one of the most advanced iterations of its Active Suspension Management system yet, and the first use of two-valve dampers on any Porsche. Both conventional steel springs and air suspension will be available, with a double-wishbone set-up at the front and a multi-link system on the rear. The electric Macan will also be offered with up to 22-inch alloy wheels.

27

The PPE platform has also enabled the new Macan to gain a longer wheelbase without growing too much in size over the out-going model. This should boost cabin space, especially in the rear. Dominik Hartmann, the car’s chief chassis engineer, told DrivingElectric, “I’m over 6ft 4in and I’m very comfortable in the rear cabin. We’re confident we have made gains in the packaging there.”

Porsche has yet to announce when the electric Macan will be unveiled, but we expect it’ll debut in the middle of 2023 before first deliveries begin in early 2024. We’ve already seen the Macan EV being put through its paces on the Nurburgring racetrack (above), with our spy shots suggesting the next model will look more sleek than the current model and adopt a more coupe-like shape.

This is the first time one of Porsche’s existing models has ditched combustion engines in favour of an electric powertrain, but the brand is already working on zero-emissions replacements for the current Boxster and Cayman sports cars due to launch by 2025. An electric 911 isn't part of the product plan for now, but a hybrid 911 is expected in 2023.

Partnership

Need to sell your car?

Find your best offer from over 5,000+ dealers. It’s that easy.

Sell your car

Rated 'Excellent'  Trustpilot

Porsche predicts by 2025 more than half of all new cars it sells will either be fully electric or plug-in hybrids, and by 2030 more than 80% of its new car deliveries will be for EVs.