Porsche’s new electric Macan put to the test ahead of debut

The first-ever fully electric Porsche Macan is nearly upon us, with the German carmaker putting the finishing touches on the model after a spot of grueling testing development.

Stress and strain have been put upon the new model to ensure the new Premium Platform Electric (PPE) platform it rides on is up to almost any task thrown at it, from withstanding the freezing cold or searing heat to light off-road escapades.

One area Porsche really wanted to hit the nail on the head though was aerodynamics, especially with the Macan now being offered as an EV.

“When we develop a new model, it’s always about the driving dynamics and precision. That’s Porsche. It’s in our DNA. But it’s always about efficiency too. And design,” says Jörg Kerner, Vice President of the Macan line-up.

The incoming model boasts an impressive drag coefficient of 0.25 thanks to its active aero system, a feature Porsche engineers refined through extensive wind tunnel testing. This includes elements on the flat floor, wheel fairings, and air flaps around the car.

As for what underpins the new Macan, it’ll feature the PPE platform’s 800-volt architecture and a 100kWh lithium-ion battery (95kWh usable) capable of recharging at up to 270kW. That means it can be recharged from 10 to 80 per cent in less than 22 minutes when using a DC fast charger.

The battery, in combination with the Macan’s slippery profile, enables the model to achieve a driving range of over 500km for all variants.

A rear-focussed all-wheel drive system also features, which makes use of two electric motors, one up front and the other at the back. Maximum power output is rated at 450kW, while torque comes to 1000Nm when using ‘Launch Control’ in the top specification variant.

Porsche also put the electric Macan through some of the world’s most extreme conditions, from temperatures as cold as minus 30 degrees Celsius to over 50 degrees Celcius. In addition, the model was also tested off road on surfaces like gravel, snow, and ice, to ensure its air suspension system keeps things comfy inside.

When adding the overall development mileage up, the electric SUV has completed more than 3.5 million kilometres on test tracks and public roads.

The electric Porsche Macan is set to be revealed in full later this month and will likely land in New Zealand towards the later stages of 2024. Pricing and specification have yet to be outlined for the model.