2024 Porsche Macan EV revealed

Second-generation all-electric mid-size luxury SUV makes world debut – and it won’t come cheap

The second-generation 2024 Porsche Macan has turned to electricity for a high-tech EV power play set to shake up the mid-size luxury SUV segment, but it will come at a cost.

Revealed overnight in Singapore ahead of its late 2024 arrival in Australian dealerships, the all-new Porsche Macan can out-accelerate most versions of the iconic Porsche 911 sports car to 100km/h, drive up to 613km on a full battery charge and will come loaded with tech including the new Android Automotive operating system.

But it will also replace the existing petrol-powered Macan range, which will be discontinued in Australia in the third quarter of this year, and base pricing will increase by almost $40,000.

“We are taking the Macan to a completely new level – with exceptional e-performance, the new Driver Experience and a very impressive design,” said Porsche chairman Oliver Blume.

Built on the new PPE (Premium Platform Electric) architecture shared with sister brand Audi (it will underpin the upcoming Q6 e-tron), the new Macan also marks an important step in the brand’s shift towards a range of all-electric SUVs that will push the brand’s EV share to 80 per cent by 2030.

While Porsche will briefly sell the existing Macan alongside its all-new EV stablemate, in 2025 the brand’s top-seller will only be available with electric propulsion, marking a significant shift for a company that has a rich history in high-octane performance.

For now, Porsche has only shown two premium variants of the new Macan – the Macan 4 and Macan Turbo – each of which makes a leap in performance over the petrol-powered models they will step in for.

“Our aim is to offer the sportiest model in its segment with the all-electric Macan,” said Macan product line vice-president Jörg Kerner.

But there are other variants in the pipeline, including a single-motor rear-wheel drive model that should be the price-leader.

The sleek coupe-inspired silhouette maintains much of the character of the outgoing model but with a more modern flavour – and greater differentiation between model grades.

EV price premium

The Macan 4 has been priced from $133,700 plus on-road costs ($39,900 more than the existing entry-level Macan AWD) and gets a dual-motor drivetrain that makes 285kW and 650Nm, stepping up to 300kW when the overboost function is activated for launch control starts.

Despite adding a few hundred kilograms of weight – the Macan 4 tips the scales at 2330kg – it accelerates to 100km/h in 5.2 seconds on the way to a top speed of 220km/h and has a claimed WLTP range of 613km from its 100kWh battery (95kWh of which is usable).

Having individually controlled electric motors instead of a petrol engine and gearbox allows the traction control – or Porsche Traction Management system – to respond five times quicker.

AC charging can be done at up to 11kW for a full charge in less than 10 hours, while more common 7.4kW home charging would take about 13.5 hours.

As with Porsche’s first EV, the Taycan, the Macan EV gets a charge port on either side, with faster DC charging only possible from the driver’s side.

An 800V architecture allows DC charging at up to 270kW for a 10-80 per cent charge in as little as 21 minutes.

Importantly, the new Macan matches the outgoing petrol-powered model’s 2000kg towing capacity.

Porsche Cars Australia has stepped up the standard equipment for the Macan 4. So as well as a 12.6-inch curved instrument cluster, 10.9-inch central infotainment screen, 360-degree camera, smart key entry, adaptive cruise control and lane change assist, local versions of the Macan 4 will also pick up Porsche Active Suspension Management adaptive dampers and 14-way electrically adjustable front seats.

The Macan Turbo is priced from $180,100 plus on-road costs and uses the same 100kWh battery, with range dropping to a still-impressive 591km.

However, it gets a larger rear motor that takes the power to 430kW and a monstrous 1130Nm of torque, with the power figure increasing to 470kW in overboost launch control mode.

Porsche claims acceleration to 100km/h takes just 3.3 seconds – impressive for an SUV that weighs 2405kg – which is quicker than anything else in the mid-size SUV segment from prime rivals such as BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz. It has a top speed of 260km/h and the same charging credentials as the Macan 4.

The Macan Turbo also picks up additional standard equipment for Australia, including a panoramic sunroof, quad-zone ventilation, Sport Chrono pack and Porsche Electric Sport Sound for a futuristic synthesised sound that was inspired by the electric motor’s natural sound.

The Macan Turbo also gets Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus and an electronically locking rear differential designed to improve traction and cornering prowess. Plus there’s air suspension that can raise and lower depending on which drive mode is activated.

As before, the Macan will be offered with a range of options, including a head-up display and rear-wheel steering that can aid low-speed manoeuvrability and improve high-speed stability.

The new Macan also gets over-the-air software update capability and the Android Automotive operating system.

Separate to Android Auto smartphone connectivity – the Macan also gets Apple CarPlay – Android Automotive provides the operating system for the broader infotainment system and can also be used to control other vehicle features such as lights, ventilation and instrumentation.

While Porsche is currently limiting the Android Automotive functionality to the infotainment system, the company has not ruled out broadening its scope.

Bigger, fancier and lower

Although the new 2024 Porsche Macan evolves the design theme of the ageing original, it also leverages the design freedoms of having batteries in the floor and no internal combustion engine and associated components.

The most dramatic improvement is to aerodynamics, with the drag coefficient dropping from 0.36 to 0.25Cd – something that helps with EV efficiency at speed.

The new Macan also does away with an upper rear spoiler for a coupe-like raked roof profile. A lower active spoiler is part of an active aerodynamics package that also includes flaps in the front bumper.

The seats sit lower in the cabin for a sportier feel – 28mm up front and 15mm in the rear – and the doors have frameless windows.

The bonnet is also lower and the wheelbase has been stretched by 86mm, helping accentuate the wheel-arches at each corner.

At 4784mm long and 1938mm wide, the Macan is bigger than the model it replaces, but its 1622mm height is slightly lower than before.

There’s also an additional 127 litres of luggage space courtesy of a boot that offers up to 540 litres of space, plus an 84-litre frunk under the bonnet.

Up front, the Macan gets distinctive quad-lamp daytime running lights in keeping with other models in the Porsche line-up. However, the main headlights are lower on the outer edges of the bolder bumper.

The Turbo also gets unique design elements, including a graphite monochrome badge on the bonnet, unique front bumper and more aggressive rear-end treatment with non-functioning side vents to partially mimic the broader stance of a 911 Turbo.

While Porsche has only showed the Macan 4 and Macan Turbo variants for now, a cheaper rear-drive Macan is also expected – as is a sportier Macan GTS. And Porsche hasn’t ruled out an even more potent Turbo S flagship.

How much does the 2024 Porsche Macan cost?
Macan 4 is priced from $133,700
Macan Turbo is priced from $180,100
* Prices exclude on-road costs