New electric Audis will also be based on the PPE platform.
It may be entirely concealed beneath shiny sheet metal, but the foundation of any vehicle is its platform, and Porsche has shed some of the details behind the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) platform that will underpin a new generation of electric Porsches. Furthermore, Porsche has explained the importance of a smart platform strategy and how it represents the starting point for every vehicle project.
Developed in collaboration with Audi, the flexible PPE platform will underpin everything from the Porsche Macan EV to the Audi A6 e-tron. As is the case with ICE platforms like Volkswagen's Modular Transverse Matrix (MQB) platform, PPE will allow Porsche to produce fewer components in high volumes while catering to different model types, ultimately saving substantially on production costs. Porsche CEO Oliver Blume said in 2018 that the PPE collaboration with Audi would reduce costs by around 30%.
With the PPE platform, Porsche will meet its goal for 80% of deliveries to be for fully electric vehicles by 2030.
“The architecture offers lots of leeway when it comes to the wheelbase, track width, and ground clearance, allowing for a variety of performance levels for models with either rear- or all-wheel drive in different segments,” says Porsche regarding PPE.
Platform development begins with an initial feasibility study to determine whether the project is technically viable. Porsche points out that smaller manufacturers sometimes don't consider how key a platform strategy is at the very beginning. “It's a shame, but it happens again and again that people get in touch with us when they already have a vehicle model and then want us to develop further derivatives – which the platform isn't suitable for at all,” said Humberto de Campos do Carmo, Senior Manager Vehicle Concepts and Package at Porsche Engineering.
Once determined to be feasible, a computer-aided engineering step is introduced whereby a virtual model is created. Concept dimensions are determined at this stage, along with the shape of the body-in-white and aspects like the battery and seats.
After creating the virtual model, Porsche Engineering passes the project to the vehicle manufacturer to develop a production-maturity vehicle. This stage involves the development, simulation, and testing of individual components and the final vehicle as a whole. Porsche points out that only when a platform is defined can specific development goals be achieved, be it the design of the axles or even the size of the wheels.
An unnamed customer turned to Porsche Engineering at an early stage as they intended to launch an EV model series. “Even the first drafts for the platform took scalability into account, and we also developed a modular system for the most important vehicle systems,” said de Campos do Carmo.
One such scalable platform started with an SUV with a wheelbase length of 115.7 inches, but just a few new or modified parts made the very same platform compatible with a sedan with a 110.6-inch wheelbase. A city SUV, large SUV, and even a transporter vehicle could all be accommodated on the same basic platform.
Where wheelbase length is concerned, these different wheelbase increments were defined beforehand “so that the next-in-line battery module would always plug the gap in the vehicle underbody,” which is visually depicted in the image above.
This flexibility is key to PPE, which Porsche says will “start off with” a system output cap of 603 horsepower, with torque exceeding 737 lb-ft. That aligns with Porsche's earlier statement that the Macan EV would make 603 horses.
The 800-volt charging architecture – also a feature of the Porsche Taycan – of the PPE platform has multiple benefits, including higher efficiency, reduced weight, and faster charging speeds. Most EVs utilize 400-volt architecture, which is one of PPE's primary benefits.
Along with the Macan EV, the electric Porsche Cayenne that is rumored to launch in 2026 is also expected to use the PPE platform. This model will go up against the BMW iX and Mercedes-Benz EQE.
Porsche highlighted the fact that modern platforms need to be future-proof and flexible, too. For example, even if a rear-wheel-drive vehicle is launched initially, the platform should be able to accommodate all-wheel drive at a later stage if required. This includes adapting to ever-changing battery technology.
So far, over 32 million cars have been based on VW's MQB platform since 2012. While many cars based on the PPE platform will be high-end models that won't sell in such large numbers, Porsche will be hoping for the same longevity from this advanced electric platform.
Keyword: Porsche's Modular PPE Platform Is The Key To Producing Better EVs