Electric Porsche Macan hits the road

Porsche has released new details for the all-electric Macan SUV, which is about to begin public road testing, before going on sale in 2023. The Macan is based on the same Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture as upcoming models like the Audi Q6 e-tron, as opposed to the J1 platform that is found underneath the Porsche Taycan.

Before it hits the showrooms, the electric Macan will need to complete just shy of two million miles of real-world testing, according to Porsche. This will be added to the experience from ‘countless previous test kilometres’ driven virtually. There are 20 digital prototypes to simulate everything from aerodynamics to energy management and acoustics, according to the brand, saving time, money and enhancing sustainability. Photos of the disguised prototypes hint that while its overall shape will be familiar to the wider Macan line-up, the EV is likely to have Taycan-inspired headlights and a drag-reducing closed grille.

While few specifications have been confirmed yet, Porsche executive Michael Steiner commented: “Like the Taycan, the all-electric Macan, with its 800-volt architecture, will offer typical Porsche E-Performance. The all-electric Macan will be the sportiest model in its segment.” He also confirmed that development goals have included a long-distance range, high-performance fast charging and ‘reproducible best-in-class performance figures’.

Porsche has also confirmed that the Macan won’t just be electric; it will sit alongside a petrol version that will arrive earlier. “In Europe, demand for electric vehicles continues to rise, but the pace of change varies considerably across the world. That’s why we’re going to launch another attractive conventionally powered successor to the current Macan during the course of 2021” said Steiner.