Electric car
No more combustion engines: This is how the new Porsche Macan drives
Can the electric Macan switch to the success of the Porsche combustion engine from summer onwards?
© Porsche / PR
Porsche is converting its volume model Macan to an electric drive. The design of the Audi Q6 twin is pleasing; But how does the electric hopeful drive, which is initially available as the Macan 4 and Macan Turbo, drive?
Joaquim Oliveira
That took quite a long time. Because there were all sorts of development problems with the electronics, the market launch of the electric one was delayed Porsche Macan by almost two years. With more than 850,000 units sold, the combustion engine, which is also currently on sale, has been the profitable volume model in the Swabian portfolio for years. But can the electric Macan switch to the success of the combustion engine from summer onwards? The Macan developers want to address any concerns from interested parties with long ranges, because the basic model of the Porsche Macan 4, which costs at least 84,100 euros, can travel 613 kilometers on a single battery charge and the top version of the Macan Turbo should still have a range of 590 kilometers until the next charging stop bring – not least through a drag coefficient of 0.25.
Lots of space despite the sporty Porsche figure
Inside, the 4.78-meter-long Swabian offers animated instruments, although the 12.6-inch instrumentation behind the wheel is fine; However, the central infotainment screen and the optional passenger display, each 10.9 inches, are likely to be significantly larger. Further information is displayed via the head-up display, which projects the most important information into the driver’s field of vision. LED light strips in the dashboard and door panels not only create atmosphere, but are also used for communication during warnings, greeting the occupants or battery charging. The seats – covered with artificial leather in the Macan 4 and with real leather in the Turbo – can be adjusted, ventilated, heated and massaged in many ways, depending on the version. Bose and Burmester supply first-class audio systems that can have up to 21 speakers, 710 watts of power and a 400 watt subwoofer.
Depending on the model, the cargo space holds between 480 and 1,288 liters.
© Porsche / PR
Externally, the new Macan generation grows by almost six centimeters in length, 1.6 cm in width and retains the body height of its predecessor. The combination of 8.6 centimeters more wheelbase and the lower number of mechanical components underneath vehicle allows the interior to be made much more spacious. A 1.80 meter tall rear passenger can place three fingers on his head before touching the roof. The seats have been noticeably lowered at the front and rear, which contributes to a sportier driving experience. Depending on the model, the cargo space holds between 480 and 1,288 liters. In addition, the front trunk has a generous 84 liters, so that more than just the charging cables can be stored there. The trunk lid can be opened as usual from the interior of the Macan or by sliding over the Porsche coat of arms symbol on the hood.
Traveling fast, slow on the AC column
Just as the Taycan’s J1 platform was developed together with Audi, the Macan is the technical twin of the Audi Q6, which also has an 800-volt electrical system. The 100 kWh battery with NCM chemistry (nickel-cobalt-manganese, in a ratio of 8:1:1) charges with a maximum of 270 kilowatts. Under ideal conditions, it takes 21 minutes to increase energy levels from 10 to 80 percent. Bitter: AC charging is currently limited to eleven kilowatts, which is lower than what some non-premium brands offer.
Both Macan versions have a synchronous permanent magnet motor on both the front and rear axles. While the Macan 4 has an output of 285 kW / 387 hp / 650 Nm, the Turbo, which costs at least 114,600 euros, has 430 kW / 584 hp / 1,100 Nm. These values can be increased to up to 408 or 639 hp for ten seconds using launch control. Despite the 400 / 500 kilograms extra weight compared to the Macan petrol engine, the performance level is impressive: the Macan 4 sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds and the Turbo does it even faster in just 3.3 seconds. The top speeds are 220 and 260 km/h respectively.
According to Porsche engineers, the electronically controlled traction management is five times faster than a conventional 4×4 system and can correct any wheel slip in 10 milliseconds. “The torque distribution varies depending on the driving mode selected, but the rear motor will always be the dominant one to ensure rear-biased sports car handling, which is in our DNA,” explains Klaus Schneiderbauer, responsible for the electric drive.
This is also the reason why there is a difference between the front and rear tires: as standard they are 235/55 R20 at the front and 285/45 R20 at the rear and, in the case of the driven versions, 255/40 at the front and 295/35 at the rear – on 22 inch rims. An electronic self-locking system on the rear axle also contributes to improving the traction, stability and lateral dynamics of the Macan Turbo, whose cornering balance is also enhanced by the balanced weight distribution of 48:52 percent between the front and rear axles.
Is the range enough?
The suspension consists of a double wishbone system with a wishbone at the front and an independent multi-link axle at the rear, standard with steel springs and optional with air springs on the Macan 4, standard on the Macan Turbo. The shock absorbers have two independently controlled valves and can be statically or electronically adjustable. The ground clearance with the air spring varies between 15 and 40 millimeters. For the first time, the Macan has optional rear-axle steering with a maximum wheel angle of five degrees, reducing the turning circle to 11.1 meters. The thrust of the sporty, tight Macan Turbo is unsurprisingly powerful despite its 2.4 tons curb weight.
Lavish: The front trunk offers a generous 84 liters
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Even when the synthetic engine sound is switched off, the driver feels in control of the action thanks to steering that is as precise as it is communicative and enjoys barely noticeable rolling movements and direct steering. Porsche does not use different levels for steering and energy recovery. On the one hand, because rolling without resistance is the most efficient, and on the other hand, because the coordination work on the brakes has been so successful that when the left pedal is pressed, the brakes are braked immediately and with the desired linearity. The maximum energy recovery is 240 kilowatts.
Both Macan versions were equipped with 22-inch rims and low-profile tires, which greatly affect comfort on less than perfect road surfaces. For many customers, 20 or 21-inch models are likely to be a much better and more comfortable choice, without sacrificing driving pleasure. Finally, there are sport modes for more rigor. The tuning is also exactly tight on the Porsche Macan 4; especially since its wheels were identical and both versions had rear-axle steering. In the test consumption, the Macan Turbo leveled off at 22.5 kWh / 100, noticeably above the promised 18.8 to 20.7 kWh, which would give a maximum range of 420 kilometers. At least some potential customers are probably still thinking about it and dreaming of the former bestseller Macan Diesel.