Porsche is carrying out its electric revolution and presents the new Macan SUV, its second all-electric vehicle after the Taycan. A global bestseller for the manufacturer, it embodies the electric future of Porsche and introduces the new Premium Platform Electric 800 V. We return to the points that risk making it a success.
No offense to some, electric mobility does not necessarily mean boring mobility. And if some dream of Dacia Spring because the future is disillusioning and the climate emergency requires us to review our ways of moving, others try to more reasonably reconcile love of the automobile and decarbonization.
Obviously, this new Macan is far too heavy with its more than 2 tonnes and many will consider it useless, too powerful, and therefore too heavy. They might not be wrong. But even these people are not customers of the brand anyway and have never really understood automobile engineering and the pleasure of driving.
For those who are sensitive to 0 to 100 km/h and for those who consider that a car is simply made to move from point A to point B without vibrating, it is recommended to stop reading here. The most curious can continue.
So the Macan, a global best-seller from Porsche, says goodbye to its thermal engine in Europe, particularly in France where the ecological penalty has made its gasoline version obsolete. However, the German manufacturer is continuing the adventure and targeting new customers with this new version of the Macan offered exclusively in two new electric versions, the Macan 4 and the Macan Turbo.
The Macan 4 develops 408 hp and the Macan Turbo impresses with 639 hp.
The torque is not to be outdone, with 650 Nm for the Macan 4 and a rather monstrous value of 1,130 Nm for the Turbo version. These characteristics allow the Macan Turbo to reach 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.3 seconds and the Macan 4 in 5.1 seconds. On German highways, or on circuits, it will be possible, without noise, to reach 265 km/h for the fastest version and a nice 220 km/h for the basic version.
A multimedia interface under Android Automotive
At these speeds there will obviously be no question of being distracted by all the on-board technology and the manufacturer’s infotainment system. The Macan is equipped with three digital screens, one of which
12.6-inch instrument cluster, a 10.9-inch touchscreen and for the first time the passenger, as in the Taycan, can immerse themselves in their own multimedia system via a 10.9-inch panel. The latter is equipped with a filter which prevents the driver from being distracted by the content consulted by his passenger. Also a head-up display which integrates augmented reality is appearing for the first time on a Porsche.
If the user interface remains the same in appearance with the Porsche Communication Management overlay, the entire OS has been redesigned and now runs Android Automotive. The manufacturer announces a gain in responsiveness and above all better relevance in voice requests or even navigation and charging stops.
SUV profile, but Taycan front
The new Porsche Taycan takes up the stylistic codes of the brand and in particular is inspired by the front of the Taycan with its tapered snout and especially its double-stage ed lights. The silhouette is overall aggressive without being caricatured and the bodyline which extends to the junction with the coupe roofline gives a very dynamic style. The seat, even in row 2, has been lowered in order to offer good roof clearance and above all this cut line allows the Macan to display a drag coefficient of only 0.25.
Furthermore, the new PPE platform has made it possible to stretch the sides and this new Macan is longer (4.78 m), wider (1.94 m) but as high as the old one (1.62 m). Above all, the wheelbase increases to 2.89 m, almost 9 cm more than the thermal model. The trunk gains in capacity (a rare enough fact to be underlined) to offer from 540 to 1,348 liters with the bench seat folded. A trunk at the front now offers 84 liters of additional storage.
Ultra-fast charging
The other advantage of the PPE platform is its 800 V architecture which makes it possible to accelerate charging times and accept high charging powers. Thus the new electric Macan is capable of absorbing up to 270 kW of direct current power and refueling its 100 kWh battery (95 useful kWh) to 10% – 80% in 21 minutes. On an alternating current terminal, the power caps at 11 kW. Interestingly, the braking is so powerful that it transforms kinetic energy into charging power for the battery to the tune of 240 kW of power.
Taped with bitumen
Finally, in terms of safety and handling, the Porsche Macan is in tune with, in addition to a host of driving assistance that is conventionally found on premium SUVs, rear wheel steering, vehicle vectoring control. torque with electronic limited-slip rear differential and an all-wheel drive management system that operates approximately five times faster than a conventional all-wheel drive system.
Finally, air suspensions are fitted as standard on the Macan Turbo and are offered as an option on the Macan 4. They are supplemented by the controlled suspension system: Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM). In other words, it is possible to configure comfort or sport type cushioning depending on your needs.
Price
It goes without saying that this Porsche Macan is not within the reach of all budgets. The Macan 4 is offered in France from €86,439, the Macan Turbo from €118,910. However, its high price must be put into perspective insofar as the 265 hp petrol version costs €72,000 excluding a penalty of more than €60,000. Deliveries will begin in the second half of this year.
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