Porsche Macan test bench | Before entering a New World

Last look at the Macan before it goes 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 gas station Macan is only a matter of time. Porsche is focused on the launch of its electric version, which is considered more delicate, which will be responsible for experiencing more success.

With nearly 10 years of racing and more than half a million units sold, the Macan has maintained an incredible love rating. Time seems to have no hold on this utility whose clientele is mainly made up of buyers who have never ridden in a Porsche before.

Since its unveiling 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, there isn’t much else. Then came 2019, the year of the traditional update. This indicates two or three years before the complete overhaul of the model which, logically, will take place last year. The effects of the pandemic and likely technical issues have led Porsche to change its schedule. The Macan’s delayed entry into the all-electric realm therefore provides a reprieve to the current generation. How long? Only Porsche knows, 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 as to face the facts, in its current form, the demise of the Macan is inevitable. And the Porsche manufacturer, committed to the launch of the next generation, has nothing more to offer him. Over the past year, the catalog has seen the loss of “Turbo”. On the other hand, this year it welcomes a new version: T (for Tour). Except for some unique monograms and exterior mirrors, this livery does not change in any way, as long as all its developments are obtained from the brand’s accessories department.

So, the “T” has the distinction of mounting 20-inch wheels and embedding a chronograph in the center of its dashboard. Even better, the “T” benefits from active suspension and all-wheel drive with atypical features: it provides more mobility to the rear axle. A character trait that the Macan T takes advantage of with a dual-clutch automatic gearbox, its 261 hp supercharged 2 L. A mechanical tandem that the Porschists screamed at the first hour. Not to make their jokes difficult, 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 “makes a typical Porsche sound” (according to the publicity leaflet) is also among the features of this compact utility.

On paper, the “T” produces within two-tenths of a second the same performance (acceleration, time, fuel consumption) as the entry-level model that sells for $5,400 less. Regardless, given the features on offer and the T’s higher residual value, Porsche’s proposal deserves full consideration.

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

Despite belonging to the utility world, the Macan doesn’t fit this definition perfectly. The passenger compartment is cramped, the rear seats are tight, storage is sparse. On the other hand, the volume of the trunk allows trips longer than a weekend. The relatively wide indentation of the tailgate and a low threshold facilitate access to this compartment, which can be easily modulated.

Suspended at a low height, the dashboard reproduces, except for some details, the interior layout of other home products. The ignition is on the left and the large console includes almost all the keys needed to configure the vehicle. You can change the suspension, the all-wheel drive to feel the tire in bad places and even the sound of the engine becomes hollow. 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 condition

If it was judged strictly for its skills as a utility vehicle, this Porsche would struggle to earn a 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 lacks the expected bravado (of a Porsche, of course) or the fury 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 Macan’s joy is found elsewhere. With its flawlessly weighted steering, its perfectly controlled body movements, its powerful and energetic braking. It combines bends – big or small – with gusto, shows impressive agility and its suspension elements correctly filter road imperfections, despite the reduced height of the sidewalls of its wheels. Better yet, driving the Macan enchants, inspires confidence and even goes so far as to give talent to those who don’t have it. This is a lot.

Technical sheet

Performance

Tank and fuel

A taste of tomorrow

This snapshot taken two years ago gives a more or less accurate indication of the future electric Macan whose debut is 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 Los Angeles Motor Show next fall. This model includes two synchronous motors 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 the PPE (Premium Platform Electric). This platform will significantly benefit from an 800-volt electrical infrastructure. It allows you to go from a charge of 5% to 80% in just over 18 minutes on a fast terminal. A level 3 semi-autonomous driving device offering will also be compatible.

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