At long last, Porsche has added its second all-electric model series to the family. Actually, it's not an all-new nameplate, just a switch from ICE power to exclusive zero emissions for the second-generation Macan compact luxury crossover SUV.
Born in early 2014, the Porsche Macan was the German automaker's second-only CUV, following the popular Cayenne. However, it's also the first to make a paradigm change – after almost a decade on the market and a trio of updates, the all-new Macan is now a fully electric affair that will battle models like the Genesis GV60, Jaguar I-Pace, Mercedes EQC SUV, BMW iX3, or the upcoming Polestar 4 coupe-SUV.
Following a massive string of delays, the Porsche Macan EV is finally live and will enter production based on Porsche and Audi's typical Premium Platform Electric, initially in just two versions – Macan 4 EV with 402 hp and a WLTP range of 381 miles (631 km) plus Macan Turbo EV boasting 630 hp, a zero to 60 mph (96 kph) time of just 3.1 seconds, and loses just 14 miles (22 km) of range, allegedly.
It also boasts a coupe-like silhouette, 800-volt architecture for recharging speeds of up to 270 kW, and a 95-kWh (usable) battery pack along with Porsche's signature sporty styling. Some will probably say that the German automaker didn't bother changing the exterior design too much when compared to its ICE-powered sibling and that giving it that tech-laden cabin isn't nearly enough to stand out in any crowd.
No worries, the imaginative realm of digital car content creators is already hard at work gifting it what's needed to make it a blank canvas - Alan Enileev, an NFS world champion, was present at the world premiere of the Macan EV but still had time to ask his friend Nikita Chuicko, the virtual artist better known as kelsonik on social media, to take some time from his busy schedule and make the new Macan Turbo EV shine a little brighter.
The compact luxury CUV, which looks quite aggressive from the front when you get past the controversial split-headlight design, is now CGI-dressed in five new colors – light blue, dark purple, a red-orange, light gray, and a quirky yellow. In addition, though it is not really needed as this is one of the few OEM models with proper-sized wheels, the Macan EV also got treated to a massive set of aftermarket AGL43 wheels from AG Luxury.
So, what do you think – is the all-new Porsche Macan EV an even better zero-emissions option than the slimmer Taycan? Also, will Tesla's Model Y tremble at the local racetrack and quarter-mile dragstrip when the Performance variant meets the higher-powered Macan Turbo EV? Oh, one last thing - do you think the front end looks better on the EV or ICE-powered variant?
Aurel has aimed high all his life (literally, at 16 he was flying gliders all by himself) so in 2006 he switched careers and got hired as a writer at his favorite magazine. Since then, his work has been published both by print and online outlets, most recently right here, on autoevolution. Full profile
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