Porsche has unveiled their second fully electric vehicle, the Macan EV. This is the first time Porsche has offered a fully electric version of a model that already existed - and not just any model, but their best-selling model. The Porsche Macan is the volume leader for Porsche, popular for very good reason. The Macan offers the extra utility of a small SUV but maintains the performance of a tall hatchback. Add Porsche's exquisite build quality and materials and the Macan is a seriously compelling everyday vehicle.
Now, for the first time from Porsche, we have both gas and EV versions of a vehicle that is already beloved. How will the EV version stack up? Well, on paper it's a lot of good news.
The Macan EV offers 380 miles of EV range, an 800V architecture with 270 kW charging for even-faster fast charging, and 680 hp in Turbo trim. It's a looker, too. In our opinion, a more attractive styling package than the gasoline counterpart. Those styling cues clearly have Taycan genetics, and here it works just as well if not better than Porsche's EV sedan.
There will be two models of Macan EV at launch, the Macan 4 and Macan Turbo. That's right, Porsche heard the mumbling about calling a turbo-less Taycan EV a "Turbo" and have doubled down. When you're Porsche, you can do what you want. We guess all we're supposed to care about here is Turbo = faster one.
Both Macan 4 and Macan Turbo will be AWD with a motor on each axle, though the Macan 4 will offer a relatively modest 402 hp and 449 lb-ft of torque. That yields a 0-60 run of 5.1 seconds, topping out at 137 mph. The Macan Turbo brings 680 hp and 833 lb-ft of torque, running to 60 in just 3.1 seconds and topping out at 161 mph. All of that performance will come at a slight range penalty, a total of 367 miles.
Speaking of fast, find the right charger and this Macan's 100 kWh battery will charge from 10-80% in just 21 minutes. That's impressive, assuming there's an 800V charging station on your route.
Inside, it's all Porsche with an interior that will feel very familiar - and that's a very good thing. Growing in overall dimension from the gasoline Macans, this EV version has gained 82 liters of space. The dashboard is full of screens including a driver display, infotainment display, and an optional screen for the passenger. These screens are powered by Android, though both Apple Carplay and Android Auto are both compatible. While there's a lot of screen real estate, physical controls are still present for climate and air vents.
In the handling department, the Macan will be available with Porsche's excellent PASM (Porsche Air Suspension Management) suspension, Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus, and will offer 4-wheel steering as optional.
This Macan starts at $78,800 but in typical Porsche fashion, a dizzying menu of options bring the price up quick. The Turbo model starts at $105,300. Deliveries begin in the second half of 2024.
More to come.
