Porsche has announced its second-ever electric vehicle, the highly anticipated Macan SUV, with a starting price of $80,450. This marks the first time the sports car maker has electrified one of its preexisting vehicles. The new Macan will sport a 100kWh battery, 95kWh of which is usable, and an 800-volt architecture for fast-charging capabilities. Porsche says the Macan will be capable of accepting up to 270kW of fast charging, for a 10 to 80 percent charging time of just 21 minutes.
The Macan EV is the second battery electric vehicle to be sold by Porsche, sitting alongside the Taycan, which was first introduced in 2019. It will be built on Porsche’s Premium Platform Electric architecture, which is co-developed with Audi. Porsche says it will release its EPA-estimated range when the Macan EV gets closer to delivery, but judging by the specs, we can probably estimate a WLTP-rated range of 310 miles. The EPA range will most likely be a little less. At 400-volt charging stations, a high-voltage switch in the battery enables bank charging by effectively splitting the 800-volt battery into two batteries, each with a nominal voltage of 400 volts. And AC charging at up to 11kW is possible, depending on the right equipment.
Porsche is building two versions of the vehicle: the Macan 4 and Macan Turbo, both of which sport dual motors for all-wheel drive. The Macan 4 will churn out 300kW, or 402 horsepower, and 479 lb-ft of torque, sprint from zero to 60mph in 4.9 seconds, and achieve a top track speed of 136mph. The Macan Turbo will produce 470kW, or 630 horsepower, and 833 lb-ft of torque, hit 60mph from a standstill in just 3.1 seconds, and achieve a top track speed of 161mph. Both Macan models come equipped with air suspension and Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) electronic damping control as standard. There’s no mention of whether the Macan will include the “Active Ride” feature found in the Panamera E-Hybrid that can actively tilt the vehicle with the steering wheel.
The Macan looks to be ridiculously aerodynamic, with a sleek design that emphasizes efficiency. The electric SUV is expected to go into production in the latter half of 2024, offering a compelling option for consumers looking to embrace sustainable and high-performance driving. With its impressive range, fast-charging capabilities, and powerful performance, the Porsche Macan EV is poised to make a significant impact in the electric vehicle market.
