The Porsche Macan EV has now been confirmed, and here’s what we know so far
(Image credit: Porsche)
The Porsche Macan EV is coming, though there’s still going to be a bit of a wait before it hits the road. It’s been two years since Porsche confirmed that the Macan EV was in development, and now we’ve been hearing the first solid details about what the electric car has to offer.
With the Macan being Porsche’s best-selling car, it’s been taking things slow. It’s also not going to replace the gas-powered Macan, another of which will be launching alongside the electric model. Here’s everything we know about the Porsche Macan EV so far, including its range, features, and more.
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Porsche Macan EV release date and price
The Porsche Macan EV is in its final stages of development, but it still won’t be getting unveiled until sometime in late 2022 — with launch expected to happen in early 2023. The exact timeframe isn’t entirely clear, though Porsche has confirmed that a gas-powered Macan will also be launching around the same time.
Pricing information has also yet to be announced. But with this being a Porsche, it’s safe to say that this isn’t going to be a budget EV. For comparison the starting price in the recent 2021 Porsche Taycan EV range starts at $79,990 in the U.S. and can go as high as $185,000 for the Taycan Turbo S Cross Turismo. That’s a respective £70,690 and £138,826 in the U.K.
(Image credit: Porsche)
Porsche Macan EV design and features
While we’ve only seen the Macan EV prototypes, official pictures show off a car that’s very similar to the current Macan crossover in terms of both shape and design. Things can change, though if you’re a fan of how the Macan looks right now, you should still like what the Macan EV has to offer.
But despite sharing a name, the Porsche Macan EV is going to look distinct from the standard gas-powered Macan. Images of the EV prototype show that the EV’s headlights are slimmer and it skips the grill you’d find on a gas-powered car. After all an electric engine doesn’t need a constant airflow like an internal combustion engine.
Testing images also show a lower roofline, suggesting the Macan EV will be more coupé-like than current Macan models. The rear also appears to have had some subtle changes.
On the inside leaked spy images show that the car has ditched the traditional gearshifter, offering us a smoother and far less cluttered central console. The Macan EV also features a large central infotainment display, as will a curved digital gauge cluster, and a second touchscreen for climate controls.
There also appears to be a rotary dial, and it’s been speculated that this is for controlling the touchscreen so you don’t have to blindly tap away at a smooth glossy screen to get things done.
More recent spy images show us a more up-to-date look at the car, revealing how the Macan’s front and rear lighting clusters work. That includes two sets of front lights, which appear to split the functionality with daytime lights and turn signals at the top. Highbeams and headlights appear to come from a cluster further down the front of the car.
The rear lights are still camouflaged, but there appears to be a full-width LED cluster like the majority of modern Porsche cars.
Porsche Macan EV battery and range
The Porsche Macan EV will utilize the same 800-volt charging architecture as the Taycan EV. That means the car will be able to charge at a maximum speed of 270kW. We don’t know what sizes those batteries will be, but the Taycan comes with the option of a 79.2 kWh battery or a larger 93.4 kWh.
As for the range, all we know for sure is that the Macan EV will offer “significantly” more range than the Taycan. The 2021 Taycan 4S has an EPA-estimated range of 227 miles, which gives us an absolute bare minimum of what to expect.
(Image credit: Porsche)
We just hope that the car’s range creeps closer to the 300 mile mark, something that has been exceeded by rival automakers like Ford, Tesla, and the upcoming Hummer EV.
It’s not clear whether the longer range means there will be a larger battery. Or if this means Porsche has made advancements in power efficiency and making every kW of power go further. A mix of both would be ideal.
Porsche Macan EV performance
Like many things, details on the Macan EV’s performance are pretty scarce right now. In fact Porsche hasn’t even said anything officially. However we are expecting there to be rear wheel drive and all wheel drive models available — as is on offer by many other EV makers.
What we do know is that it will be built using the VW Group’s Premium Platform Electric architecture, which is being utilized by a number of car companies including Audi. Though that architecture is versatile, and doesn’t give us any clues as to what we could expect from the Macan EV.
(Image credit: Porsche)
Porsche Macan EV outlook
While some companies, like Hummer, have been going all in on the electric vehicle market, Porsche appears to be taking a slower route. While the company is aiming to ensure 80% of its cars are battery-powered EVS or plug-in hybrids by 2030, there are no solid plans on when the Macan EV will completely replace its gas-counterpart.
That all depends on sales, and with the Macan being Porsche’s most popular car it’s probably going to be a while before it stops making them. But it’s far too early to tell what the Macan EV will be bringing to the table.
But if the range promises are anything to go by, the Macan EV should offer an improvement over the Porsche Taycan. Which is going to be a big benefit for the company, even if it doesn’t completely replace its gas-portfolio.
Still there’s a lot we don’t know, which is to be expected from a car that isn’t going to launch for at least two more years. So don’t go getting too excited just yet, and wait to see what Porsche has to offer.
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