Test bench | Porsche Macan: before entering a New World

Last look at the Macan before it switches to electric.

Delicate transition

The most popular Porsche (starting at $65,400) is about to take a leap into the unknown. Scheduled for a long time, the erasure of the gasoline-fuelled Macan is only a matter of time. Porsche is concentrating on the launch of its electric version, which is deemed to be more delicate, which will be responsible for experiencing as much success.

With nearly 10 years of career and more than half a million units sold, the Macan retains an incredible love rating. Time does not seem to have any hold on this utility whose clientele consists mainly of buyers who had never put their buttocks in a Porsche before.

Since its presentation at the 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show, the Macan hasn’t changed much. Apart from the addition of a four-cylinder engine and a few additional variations, nothing more. Then came 2019, the year of the traditional update. This signals two or three years in advance the complete overhaul of the model which, logically, was to take place last year. The repercussions of the pandemic and likely technical issues have led Porsche to revise its schedule. The postponed entry of the Macan into the all-electric realm therefore grants a reprieve to the current generation. For how much longer ? Only Porsche knows it, but it’s a safe bet that thermal and electric will coexist for a year or two to ensure a smooth transition.

Revised nomenclature

As well to face the facts, in its current form, the death of the Macan is inevitable. And the manufacturer Porsche, focused on the launch of the next generation, has nothing more to offer him. Over the past year, the catalog has seen the “Turbo” disappear. On the other hand, this year it welcomes a new version: T (for Touring). With the exception of a few distinctive monograms and exterior mirrors, this livery does not innovate in any way, insofar as all its advances have been drawn from the brand’s accessories department.

Thus, the “T” has the distinction of climbing on 20-inch wheels and embedding a chronograph in the center of its dashboard. Better still, the “T” benefits from an active suspension and all-wheel drive with atypical characteristics: it provides more mobility to the rear axle. A character trait that the Macan T exploits with the complicity of the dual-clutch automatic gearbox, its 261 hp supercharged 2 L. A mechanical tandem that the Porschists of the first hour shouted down. In order not to have to suffer their jokes, the Macan T has four exhaust outlets (as if it were powered by the V6 of the S and GTS). And to add to the illusion, a soundtrack that “produces a typical Porsche sound” (according to the publicity leaflet) is also among the attributes of this compact utility.

On paper, the “T” produces within two tenths of a second the same performance (acceleration, times, fuel consumption) as the entry-level model sold for $5,400 less. Never mind, given the features offered and the higher residual value of the T, Porsche’s proposal deserves full consideration.

That’s a settled question, but in the face of competition, what about it? The answer must, like everything, be nuanced.

Despite belonging to the world of utilities, the Macan does not fit this definition perfectly. The passenger compartment is cramped, the rear seats cramped, the storage rare. On the other hand, the volume of the trunk allows trips longer than a weekend. The rather wide indentation of the tailgate and a low threshold facilitate access to this compartment, which can be easily modulated.

Suspended at low height, the dashboard reproduces, except for a few details, the interior layout of the other products of the house. The contact is on the left and the large console incorporates practically all the keys necessary to configure the vehicle. You can modify the suspension, the all-wheel drive to feel the tire in inhospitable terrain and even the sound of the engine which becomes cavernous. At the wheel, a small wheel invites you to change the electronic map of the 2 L turbocharged as well as the gearshift laws.

For bitumen, regardless of adhesion conditions

If it were to be judged strictly for its skills as a utility vehicle, this Porsche would struggle to earn the passing grade. Its off-road skills are very real, but its set of tires does not allow it to fully exploit them. In addition, the Macan can also tow a load, as long as it does not exceed 2000 kg.

In terms of pure performance, the lively Macan of the 2 L probably does not have the expected verve (of a Porsche, of course) nor the rage to tickle the red zone of the tachometer. On the other hand, it produces enough torque and the speed of the double-clutch gearbox makes up for the apparent lack of character in this mechanism.

The fun of the Macan is found elsewhere. In the finesse of its impeccably weighted steering, in its perfectly controlled body movements, in its strong and vigorous braking. It strings together bends – big or small – with relish, demonstrates remarkable agility and its suspension elements correctly filter out road imperfections, despite the reduced height of the sidewalls of its tires. Better yet, the driving of the Macan enchants, gives confidence and even goes so far as to give talent to those who do not have it. This is already a lot.

Technical sheet

Performance

Tank and gasoline

A taste of tomorrow

This snapshot taken two years ago gives a more or less precise indication of the future electric Macan whose debut was scheduled for the summer of 2022. According to some sources, the Macan-E will make its first public appearance in its final form at the Motor Show of Los Angeles next fall. This model will include two synchronous motors that will be powered by a battery whose capacity will vary, depending on the declination, between 96 kWh and 115 kWh.

A new architecture

The Macan E will share the same technical architecture as the Audi Q6 e-tron known internally as PPE (Premium Platform Electric). This platform will notably benefit from an 800-volt electrical infrastructure. This allows you to go from a charge of 5% to 80% in just over 18 minutes on a fast terminal. It will also be compatible to offer a level 3 semi-autonomous driving device.