Panic! Worry! Fear! Is the new Porsche Macan EV, one of my favorite small SUVs, only going to be an electric-powered robot going forward?
No. Phew.
But the Macan EV is all new for 2024 – in fact, it’s new period. They’ve never made one without pistons and gasoline before. If the end is inevitable and we must drive around EVs or nothing, then I suppose I’d want one made my Porsche. But before we get to that, let’s talk shop about this new Macan.
What is the 2024 Porsche Macan EV?
It’s Porsche’s first ever all-electric Macan. They are taking orders now, though delivery won’t begin until the second half of 2024.
- You can get a regular ol’ Macan 4 with 402 horsepower and a base price of $80,450
- Or you can get a Macan Turbo with 630 horsepower, starting at $106,950
- The all-electric platform was developed with Audi, and it’s expected to make up the bits for many volume-model electric Porsches and Audis.
Forgetting for a moment how its powered, these both promise to be a hoot. The 4 gets 479 lb-ft of torque with an overboost function, and the Turbo gets 833 pounds of earth-crushing ability. That’s over 200 more than the amazing Turbo GT.
Both the S and Turbo are dual-motor with all-wheel drive. Porsche says the Turbo will hit 60 in 3.1 seconds, but I don’t believe them. I bet it’s 2.1 seconds.
It can tow 4,000 pounds, though for how far remains to be seen. Isn’t that the whole point of 833 lb-ft? No?
By the way, I do not know how much the Macan weighs, but I’m willing to bet it’s no 911 T.
What’s the range of the Porsche Macan EV?
Official figures are not yet released, but early estimates peg it at around 300 miles. That’s still no bueno for me.
It also sounds ridiculous when they brag about the DC fast-charging ability that takes the battery from 10–80 percent in “just 21 minutes”. That’s thanks to the car’s new platform and 800-volt architecture.
Still, these aren’t going to become commonplace until that 21 minutes goes down to two. Time is money, as anyone driving around in a $110,000 Porsche will attest.
Other new features in the Macan EV
A standard air suspension is cool, along with optional rear-axle steering (the first time ever available on a Macan). It can turn up to five degrees and allow a turning circle of about 36 feet. There’s also an electronic-locking rear-diff on the Turbo.
Inside, well, I hope you like screens. I hope your passenger likes them too, because they are everywhere. Porsche cabin ergonomics are merely okay – this is starting to look crazy.
There’s a new HUD with augmented-reality tech that’s part of the, ahem, Porsche Driver Experience. The AR system feels like an 87-inch display, and appears to be about 33 feet in front of the driver. It’ll provide virtual information such as navigation arrows as you drive down the road.
Personally, I find it incredible that a company known for making some of the best driving experiences on the planet must resort to toys and trinkets to make the car feel fun. Driving distracted is never fun, trust me.
Porsche is hedging bets with this new Macan EV
Let’s say you have a 993 911. It’s old, cranky, and smells like coolant. But it’s just for fun, so you don’t mind the inconvenience of it occasionally not starting, or taking it in for repair every time the temperature changes three degrees.
You might call it part of the charm.
Not with this Macan EV though. First, though it’s grown in size, I bet it’ll still be tight in the back seat. No way a family of four will fit comfortably. Next, the range. Waiting to charge, and worrying about going beyond 300 miles with your daily, will test your patience. This Macan is going to inconvenience you, and I bet that grumpy 993 isn’t going to want to be pressed into daily service if this runs out of charge.
That’s why Porsche is still going to make a gasoline version. I can’t say for sure, but I’m willing to bet that by the time this generation of Macan is through, the dino-powered versions will have far outsold the electric ones. What happens then? Will Porsche say dich vergessen and move on with only EVs?
Interesting times.
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