Porsche just announced plans for the second-generation Macan. According to the manufacturer, the compact luxury crossover will have no internal combustion engine at all. Instead, the automaker will rely on electric motors only. The redesigned model will most probably be introduced sometime in 2020 as the 2021 Porsche Macan EV. At first glance, the move seems too radical and risky. After all, the compact SUV is the automaker’s bestseller. However, when we think about it a little bit deeper, the decision appears to be quite logical. Porsche intends to invest more than six billion euros in electric mobility by 2022, so the most popular model needs to be at the very front of the parade called “electromobility.”
Judging by the latest reports, the new electric crossover will not use the same platform as Porsche’s upcoming Taycan EV. Instead, the fast and furious SUV will exploit the so-called Premium Platform Electric chassis which is currently under development in collaboration with Audi. In addition to the platform that will be able to underpin low and high ground clearance, as well as various wheelbases and track widths, the pure electric successor will also get an 800-volt system.
According to Porsche CEO Oliver Blume, by using a 350-kilowatt charger, the 2021 Porsche Macan EV will need less than 20 minutes to enable a driving range of about 400 kilometers (248 miles), and just 4 minutes to cross about 100 km (62 miles). Quite impressive, don’t you think? Well, it will be nothing compared to the future 450-kilowatt charging station that cuts the 62 miles/time under 3 minutes. There will be several battery options when the crossover arrives. We also need to say that the carmaker promises a range of almost 620 miles (1,000 kilometers) for the topper. There are no particular details about drivetrains. However, unofficially, the Macan EV will rely on a twin motor setup and standard four-wheel drive.
The second-generation Macan will be produced at Porsche’s plant in Leipzig. Yes, it’s the same place where the automaker builds the current model at the moment. Of course, they will need to adjust the plant for EVs, so a part of the aforementioned investment will be used in this purpose.
