FIRST LOOK: 2024 Porsche Macan – Best-Selling Porsche Goes Electric

Summary

Porsche has electrified its best-selling Macan SUV with two new electric models that offer rapid acceleration, ample range, and slick tech. The new Macan EVs deliver up to 635 horsepower, 367+ miles of range, sub-3.3 second 0-60 times, and cutting-edge infotainment. Priced from £69,800 in the UK, the electric Macans cost more than the gas models but offer performance, practicality and Porsche prestige. While combustion Macans will remain on sale for now in the UK, Porsche's shift to full electrification by 2030 suggests the clock is ticking for gas-powered models.

Takeaways

• 😀 The all-electric Porsche Macan will come in two models - Macan 4 and Macan Turbo
• 🔋 Both models will have a 100kWh battery with 95kWh usable capacity
• ⚡ The Macan 4 produces over 400hp and does 0-62mph in 5.1 secs
• 🚗 The Macan Turbo makes 635hp with launch control doing 0-62mph in 3.3 secs
• 🛣️ Range is estimated at 380 miles for the Macan 4 and 367 for the Turbo
• 💨 Porsche focused heavily on aerodynamics with active features for efficiency
• 📱 The interior gets new high-tech displays with responsive touchscreens
• 😊 More interior space thanks to increased wheelbase and lower seats
• 💰 Base price is £69,800 for Macan 4 and £95,000 for the Turbo
• ⏲️ ICE Macan will still be sold in the UK beyond 2024 unlike Europe

Q & A

What are the two models of the new electric Macan?

The two models are the Macan 4 and the Macan Turbo.

What is the range of the Macan 4?

The Macan 4 has an estimated range of 380 miles on the WLTP cycle.

How fast can the Macan Turbo accelerate from 0-62 mph?

The Macan Turbo can accelerate from 0-62 mph in 3.3 seconds using launch control.

What is the battery capacity of the new Macans?

Both Macans have a 100 kilowatt-hour battery, with 95 kilowatt-hours usable.

What is the maximum charging rate of the 800-volt architecture?

The maximum charging rate is 270 kW, providing a 10-80% charge in just over 20 minutes.

How much more expensive is the base Macan 4 compared to the ICE Macan?

The base Macan 4 starts at £69,800, which is £16,800 more than the £53,000 base ICE Macan.

Why will ICE Macans still be sold in the UK after July 2024?

The UK is not subject to the same cybersecurity rules that are forcing ICE Macans off sale in Europe.

What interior changes make the cabin feel more spacious?

The front seats are 28mm lower and there is an 86mm longer wheelbase compared to the ICE Macan.

What new driver assist features does the Macan EV have?

New features include rear-wheel steering, air suspension, two-valve dampers, and an augmented reality head-up display.

How does the EV platform improve charging and thermal management?

The 800V system enables faster charging. It can also split the battery for more efficient 400V charging and better heat management.

Outlines

00:00

😀 Porsche Macan EV: Exterior and interior overview

This paragraph provides an overview of the exterior and interior design of the new electric Porsche Macan models. It describes key exterior features like the headlights, movable flaps, frameless doors, wheel options, side blades, and rear spoiler. Inside, it highlights the low seating position, rising center console, multifunction LED strip, and slick new touchscreens including a passenger display.

05:00

😃 Macan EV performance, range and charging capabilities

This paragraph discusses the performance, range, and charging capabilities of the Macan EV models. The Macan 4 has over 400hp and does 0-62mph in 5.1 seconds, while the more powerful Turbo has 635hp and does 0-62mph in 3.3 seconds. They have ranges of 380 miles and 367 miles respectively. Both get 270kW fast charging for 10-80% in 20 minutes, and have 800V architecture for efficient charging.

Keywords

💡Porsche Macan

The Porsche Macan is a luxury compact crossover SUV made by Porsche. It was first introduced in 2014 and has been one of Porsche's best selling models. The video talks about the new all-electric versions of the Macan - the Macan 4 and Macan Turbo. This shows Porsche is transitioning one of its most popular models to be fully electric.

💡SUV

SUV stands for Sport Utility Vehicle. It refers to a rugged, truck-based vehicle that combines passenger car attributes with increased cargo capacity and off-road capability. The video mentions how SUVs like the Macan and Cayenne make up a major portion of Porsche's global sales, even though it is traditionally seen as a sports car brand.

💡Electric vehicle

An electric vehicle (EV) uses an electric motor instead of an internal combustion engine. EVs run on electricity stored in rechargeable battery packs. The new Porsche Macan models discussed are fully electric versions with a 100 kWh battery pack. This transition to EVs is an industry-wide trend.

💡Range

Range refers to the distance an electric vehicle can travel on a single full charge of its battery pack. The new Macan EV models are reported to have around 380 miles of range on the WLTP cycle. Long range is important for consumer acceptance of EVs.

💡Charging

EVs need to recharge their batteries after running out of range. The Macan supports fast 270 kW charging which can provide over 200 miles of range in 20 minutes. Faster charging enables longer trips with shorter charging stops.

💡Performance

Performance refers to metrics like acceleration, speed, handling and braking. Despite being electric, the new Macan models are still high performance SUVs, with rapid acceleration times of 3.3 to 5.1 seconds from 0-60 mph.

💡Aerodynamics

Aerodynamics is the study of how air flows over objects. The new Macan has special features like active flaps and underbody covers to reduce aerodynamic drag. This improves driving range and efficiency at highway speeds.

💡Digital interface

The interior features new high resolution screens and an augmented reality head-up display. The user interface is said to be very fast and responsive. Advanced digital interfaces are essential for modern EV cockpits.

💡Pricing

Pricing refers to how much the vehicles will cost to purchase. The new electric Macan models are more expensive than the regular gasoline versions. Pricing is important for market acceptance as EVs transition to the mainstream.

💡Dates

The video mentions important dates like when combustion engine Macan models will be discontinued in Europe (July 2024), and when the electric versions will start sales. This gives a timeline for Porsche's transition to EVs.

Highlights

The Porsche Macan has gone all electric, and it looks... like this.

There'll be two models – the Macan 4 and the Macan Turbo.

Now, Porsche has paid a lot of attention to all the aero bits on this car, so we'll go through those in a minute.

It's got relatively few buttons. Things that you recognise – drive-mode spinwheel here.

When you touch stuff, it just happens. It's really, really nice.

For the first time, there is an augmented-reality head-up display, that's projected right the way down there.

It will even work in conjunction with some of the advanced driver-assistance systems. So if you're about to open your door in front of a car, that's coming up alongside, it will warn you.

There's a 540-litre boot, and, for the first time, a frunk. So that's an extra 84 litres of storage, and that's a good size for cables and other stuff.

The Turbo, on the other hand, gets 635 brake horsepower, an unholy amount of torque, and can get from rest to 62mph in 3.3 seconds if you use launch control. That is epically fast.

Given what Porsche managed with the Taycan, it seems like the Macan EV will have the go to match the show.

It's an 800-volt architecture, so it should give you a maximum charging rate of 270kW, giving you 10 to 80% charge in just over 20 minutes.

The official figures are 380 miles for the Macan 4, and 367 for the Turbo. That's 4.2 miles per kilowatt-hour for the Macan 4, and anything over four is really good.

The basic electric Macan 4 has been announced as costing £69,800, with the Turbo weighing in at 95 grand on the button.

But if you live in the UK, the combustion Macan will live on for a bit, because we're not subject to the same rules.

Well, I think we'll have to wait to drive the Macan Electric before we make that decision.

Transcripts

The Porsche Macan has gone all electric

and it looks… like this.

This is big news.

Porsche might describe itself as a sports-car company,

but if you look at the sales figures,

it's really an SUV company with a wicked line in sports cars.

It's all very well making a high-end electric car like the Taycan for early adopters,

but the Cayenne and Macan are by far Porsche's biggest sellers.

Going EV-only early is a risk.

This electric Macan needs to be good.

So what have we got?

Well, there'll be two models – the Macan 4 and the Macan Turbo.

And they both come with a 100 kilowatt-hour battery,

of which 95 kilowatt-hours is actually usable.

Now, that should give you about

380 miles of WLTP range for the Macan 4,

bit less for the Turbo.

And they're both dual-motor, four-wheel-drive cars.

And they are both very quick.

But more on that in a minute.

And it looks

a bit like a very refreshed Macan, unsurprisingly.

So you've got a car that's got these daylight running lights up here,

a bit like a Taycan.

And then down here is an actual headlight unit.

And then in this front end, you've got movable flaps.

Now, Porsche has paid a lot of attention to all the aero bits on this car,

so we'll go through those in a minute.

And then as you come down the car, it's got strong shoulders.

It's actually got frameless doors like a Taycan,

so there's no actual window frame.

Wheels start at 20 inches, go all the way up to 22s.

These are optional 22in wheels on this Macan, because this is a Macan 4.

And then down the sides,

you've got these side blades like you had on the previous Macan.

They can come in three different colours,

so you can have gloss black, normal plastic or carbon fibre on the Turbo.

And then the side of the car is kind of nicely muscular.

Feels a little bit lower than before.

And that's because it is.

This car is actually slightly wider, slightly lower.

It's got a much longer wheelbase as an electric car, though.

There's 86mm that's been added into here.

So that should have good news for the interior.

And then at the back, if you look,

the Turbo has these little extra vents in the back bumper,

but you also get a 3D full-width light bar

with the Porsche logo slap bang in the middle.

Nice little Venturi.

And this spoiler is actually active.

Now, Porsche has spent a lot of time working out the aero with this car.

It's got a very slippery coefficient of drag,

which is good for efficiency.

The Macan has what Porsche calls PAA,

or Porsche active aerodynamics.

So there's those front flaps that we were talking about,

the movable rear spoiler,

flexible covers on a completely sealed underbody,

lots of little tweaks to aid efficiency.

So it's all-new, but not a million miles away from what you might expect.

And you probably could have called it about the interior of the electric Macan as well,

because this is pretty much as you'd expect

except slicker.

You sit actually really quite low.

These front seats are 28mm lower than in the normal Macan.

And that's pretty good because in an EV, you usually sit too high.

There's a rising centre console, which you'll be used to if you drive a Macan,

and it all feels quite squat and cockpit-y.

Even the wheel is relatively small.

It's got relatively few buttons.

Things that you recognise – drive-mode spinwheel here.

It's got some little rockers for the HVAC, so the air con.

And you've got some cupholders here and some storage and a little box.

But the big news is this dash, because it's mightily impressive.

It feels like one massive panel, but it's actually three.

So in front of you, you've got a 12.6in driver-information display

and that's got all the normal stuff on it.

Then in the middle is a 10.9in touchscreen.

And I have to say, when you press things on this, it is super, super fast.

So this is Android-based, and it is one of the quickest systems I think I've seen.

When you touch stuff, it just happens.

It's really, really nice.

Then next to that is an option, which is a passenger display

and then they can change all the multimedia,

operate a phone, watch Netflix, completely ignore you.

And for the first time, there is an augmented-reality head-up display

that's projected right the way down there.

It looks really, really slick.

Everything feels a little bit

like it's just a Macan but elevated.

One of the things I really like is this LED strip that runs

all the way around the cabin and it's actually multifunction.

So it lights up to tell you about different things.

So when you're charging, it will change colour.

It'll even work in conjunction with some of the advanced driver-assistance systems.

So if you're about to open your door in front of a car

that's coming up alongside, it will warn you.

Also, it's got things like recycled carpets, leather-free leather.

This is a Macan, but better.

It's all Porsche perfect.

It's also more practical.

Like the front seats, the rear bench is now lower than before.

There's a 540-litre boot

and, for the first time, a frunk.

So that's an extra 84 litres of storage,

and that's a good size for cables and other stuff.

As you might hope for a Porsche electric car,

neither of these is particularly slow.

The Macan 4 gets just over 400 brake horsepower

and can get from 0 to 62mph in 5.1 seconds.

The Turbo, on the other hand,

gets 635 brake horsepower, an unholy amount of torque

and can get from rest to 62mph in 3.3 seconds if you use launch control.

That is epically fast.

Oh, and they'll do 137mph and 162mph top speed respectively.

But more than that, Porsche needs to keep the Macan standing proud

as a top-tier handling small SUV.

Naturally, only the rear motor works,

so the front one sort of goes dormant

and it also gets proper rear-wheel steering,

giving it a tiny turning circle.

Plus air suspension as an option,

which is standard on the Turbo.

There are also two-valve dampers that give you a broader range of options

between full squish and sporty firmness.

And the usual Porsche performance aids,

like traction management and torque vectoring.

Given what Porsche managed with the Taycan,

it seems like the Macan EV will have the go to match the show.

As far as charging goes, Porsche seems to be hitting all of the right notes.

Both Macans get a 100 kilowatt-hour battery, as I mentioned,

of which 95 kilowatt-hours is usable.

And this is all on Porsche's new premium electric platform.

It's an 800-volt architecture,

so it should give you a maximum charging rate of 270kW,

giving you 10 to 80% charge in just over 20 minutes.

If you can find a big enough charger.

And it can bank charge,

essentially splitting the battery into two parts

so you don't need a booster for 400v charging stations,

which means more efficient charging and better heat management.

There's also 11kW DC charging, which is useful.

And don't forget, that time spent at the charger is actually putting in decent range.

The official figures are 380 miles for the Macan 4

and 367 for the Turbo.

That's 4.2 miles per kilowatt-hour for the Macan 4

and anything over four is really good.

So it's all good news if you read the press release.

But if the Macan is actually Porsche's gateway drug of a car,

price is still very important.

Now as of this week, if you were to buy a base Macan in the UK

with a 263 brake horsepower, four-cylinder petrol turbo,

it would cost you about £53,000.

And if you went for a top-spec six-cylinder Macan GTS,

that's about 72 grand.

That's actually really good value.

The basic electric Macan 4 has been announced as costing £69,800,

with the Turbo weighing in at 95 grand on the button.

So you're looking at a price premium.

But they're electric, so you can do clever things

with company car schemes and VAT returns to mitigate that a bit.

But a cheaper Macan doesn't feature… yet.

There is, however, a little bit of a twist here if you live in the UK.

Now, Macans with engines are actually going off sale in Europe

on the 1st of July 2024,

not because they have to meet new emission standards,

but because Porsche didn't develop the ICE cars for new European cybersecurity rules.

But if you live in the UK, the combustion Macan will live on for a bit

because we're not subject to the same rules.

Porsche hasn't specified how long,

but expect to be able to buy a petrol-powered Macan in the UK throughout 2024.

So should we be making the switch early or buying a late Macan with an engine

and wringing the absolute life out of it?

Well, I think we'll have to wait to drive the Macan Electric before we make that decision.