The Car Guide was part of a small group of journalists (including only one Quebec media), to travel to the Milan region to approach the prototype of the future electric Porsche Macan.
As you can see from the pictures, it is not yet possible to make out the final lines of the new German SUV. To carry out the dynamic tests without revealing the final design of its SUV, Porsche added pieces of plastic to the body using adhesive (see photo gallery) to deceive our eyes.
Photo: Julien Amado
This is also the case for the headlights, where imposing stickers have been added, the front bumper with a fake grille, the rear bumper with fake exhaust outlets and the taillights, inspired by those of a Cayenne coupé. Affectionately christened Ludmilla by the development team, this prototype is one of many that have traveled the world for dynamic testing in real conditions.
We do not know where it came from, but the reddish soil still present in the rims suggests that the vehicle was used for off-road driving. The Macan was also fitted with development Michelin tires, with the word “test” molded into the sidewalls of the tire. We also found that the usual Michelin logo was replaced with simplistic script.
Photo: Julien Amado
PPE: Porsche’s new electrical architecture
In addition to the prototype, the place where we saw the vehicle was equipped with an augmented reality system. This allowed us to see the new architecture (chassis, engine and running gear) using a touch pad. Intended for the electric Macan at first, the PPE platform (Premium Platform Electric) will then be used for other models at Porsche, but also at Audi, which participated in the development.
This new chassis has been specifically designed for 100% electric models. The autonomy has not been announced since it should vary according to the aerodynamics and the weight of each vehicle that will use this new platform. But we already know that the future electric Macan will receive a 100 kWh lithium-ion battery, divided into 12 modules. The vehicle will be able to use a maximum charging power of 270 kW, which will allow it to go from 5 to 80% autonomy in 25 minutes.
Photo: Porsche
Using an 800 volt system, the battery of the electric Macan will be able to adapt to the rapid charger used. If the latter uses only 400 volts, the battery may separate into two 400V units instead of one 800V. According to Porsche, this makes it possible to better recharge the battery and to optimize the use of a lower voltage.
Another important innovation, the manufacturer has decided to manufacture a single part which includes the charger receiving alternating current (for level 1 and 2 charging), the DC/DC system (which maintains the charge of the 12V battery and supplies the equipment that use 12V) and high voltage heating. This technical choice has been validated to save weight and size.
Over 600 horsepower!
Two motors will move this future electrified Macan, one at the front and one at the rear, developing a combined output of 603 horsepower (450 kW) and 738 lb-ft. The vehicle will obviously have all-wheel drive, and it will be possible to distribute all of the torque to the front or the rear as needed. Torque vectoring and an electronically locked differential will also be integrated into the PPE architecture.
Photo: Julien Amado
On the running gear side, Porsche claims to have worked a lot on efficiency and driving pleasure, especially on the steering side. Rear-wheel steering, already used on several current models, should also help with handling, although it has not been specified whether this system will be standard or optional.
We were unable to find out when the electric Macan will arrive on our market, but we are taking little risk in saying that this model should be very popular with Quebec buyers. More information should be revealed in the course of 2023…for marketing in 2024? It’s still too early to tell…