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The Porsche Cayenne is setting a new standard for electric SUVs. |
Porsche’s Macan is one of its biggest success stories, not only globally but also in India. Porsche’s success in the present is just as much a result of the SUV that followed the Cayenne’s footsteps – chronologically and on its upward trajectory – as it was in the past. In addition, the Macan appears to have a greater degree of Porsche influence. Porsche’s first ever all-wheel drive SUV is lighter, more compact, and nimble. However, there is more to come. Porsche’s Macan is also the company’s first all-electric legacy vehicle. There is a significant difference between the two.
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Macan is Porsche’s first fully electric nameplate. |
Porsche Macan EV Platform, Battery, and Exterior Design
The Macan will remain on the road alongside the EV (as the Taycan will coexist with the Panamera), but the new Macan EV has a lot on its plate. Porsche’s electric vehicle lineup rests on its broad shoulders.
In order to meet the needs of the EV market, Porsche and Audi have developed an updated PPE (Porsche and Audi’s Premium Platform Electric) architecture, based on the 800-volt architecture found in the Taycan. As a result, charging times are reduced, performance is improved, and efficiency is improved.
A major feature of the new Macan is its 100kWh lithium-ion battery. According to Porsche, this battery will be standard on the Macan. In the battery, there are 12 modules and prismatic cells with a nickel-cobalt-manganese ratio of 8.1:1
SiC (silicon carbide) has also been used by Porsche as the back axle semiconductor for higher switching frequencies. As a result of the 800-volt technology, the Macan EV is able to charge at 270kW. As a result, the battery can be charged from 10% to 80% within 22 minutes. That is approximately the same amount of time it takes to charge a Lotus Eletre battery.
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The battery can be charged from 10 to 80 percent in less than 22 minutes. |
A Macan will split its battery pack into two 400 volt units (which run parallel) if the charging station only works at 400 volts.
It is interesting to note that the integrated power box (IPB) is a combination of three components. The AC charger on the Macan EV, the HVAC heater (high voltage), and the DC/DC converter. Compared to the previous model, it is lighter and more compact.
Due to all the camouflage, we were unable to see the car in full, but we can see that the nose will feature Porsche’s new headlight pod design. As with the Taycan, the split headlights will also be similar. There is a slimmer slope to the car’s profile, and the doors now have no pillars. Furthermore, we have noticed larger wheel wells and a larger rear spoiler with multiple stages.
An overview of Porsche Macan’s electric motors and suspension
As a result of the PPE platform, there is no limit to the number of models with RWD and AWD, as well as staggered performance levels. Currently, the top-of-the-line Macan EV will have 612 horsepower and 1,000 Nm of torque, powered by the latest generation of PGM synchronous motors. What makes the Macan EV different from the Taycan?
The water cooling jacket has a larger capacity.
In other words, it is more stable when loaded up and asked to deliver maximum power for extended periods of time.
Additionally, the magnets within the rotors are double V laminated, and the stators are wire-wrapped in a hairpin method to increase the copper content.
Porsche has selected a slightly rear-biased Macan EV for its lineup. As the EV’s electric motor is located well behind its rear axle, it has a front-to-rear ratio of 48 to 52 percent.
A two-stage transmission transmits power to the rear wheels at a single speed. A two-stage transmission consists of two smaller gear wheels instead of one large one. As a result, the design can be made much more compact.
Due to Porsche’s quick switch-over, the Macan EV is very rear-wheel-drive, with the front axle’s involvement largely delayed to the last moment.
The Macan is available with either air springs or steel springs. The Macan is also equipped with two-way dampers and a damping valve that allows for the adjustment of compression and rebound damping. In the front, the Macan EV has a double wishbone suspension, while in the rear it has a multi-link suspension connected to the body by means of an elevated subframe. There is also an electronic differential lock at the rear axle of the Macan, which is offered in Porsche’s range-topping model. There is rear-axle steering for the first time in a midsize SUV, and the suspension has been specially configured to accommodate the low-slung battery that is part of the dynamic package.
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The Macan EV has a slight rear weight bias; it’s a Porsche after all. |
Drive & Handling of the Porsche Macan EV
It is an experience I will never forget when I sit in the Macan EV for the first time. It’s almost as if I have been taken for a ride in one of the first Nissan GT-Rs, the raw speed of the 4×4 turbocharged sports car showing off a whole new level of performance, and the leech-like grip you’ve never experienced before.
It is also the first time we have seen the Macan EV on track, and we are doing it in Leipzig, one of the best racetracks in the world.
The first thing that strikes me is the acceleration following launch. There is no doubt that it is explosive, and the sheer G force is enough to make my abs tighten as I gasp for air. A supercar should be able to match sprint times with a weight of 2,2 to 2,3 tonnes and over 1,000 Nm of torque pushing it forward.
The test driver also takes full advantage of the 612 horsepower, rear-wheel steering, and torque vectoring once we are on the track. When I ‘back’ the EV into a long right hand turn, I lift off the accelerator and let the rear slide on purpose. A few deft flicks of the steering wheel and a few purposeful steps on the right pedal maintain that slide. It is certainly helpful to have a weight distribution similar to that of Porsche.
“How does it feel?” I inquire. “Does the low-slung battery and the quick e-motor make it easier to slip?” Pat asks. “Yes, it does. It feels like a million dollars.”
Initially, the test driver completes a series of smooth, neat, and blisteringly fast corners, followed by a series of wild sliding maneuvers.
The Macan is also capable of driving over rough terrain, but when driven in Sport mode, each bump and scrape is felt more acutely.
What to expect from the Porsche Macan EV
It is too early to make a definitive statement, but this Porsche is likely one of the most entertaining models we have seen so far. It is fast, it is agile, and it appears to be having a great time. It is anticipated that it will be available in India by the middle of 24.
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