PORSCHE MACAN E

PORSCHE SOUNDS THE CHARGE

- GEORG KACHER

Although now in its ninth year, the Macan - having undergone an extensive facelift in 2021 - is still Porsche's second bestselling model, trailing the number one Cayenne by only 8580 units in 2022.

Yet petrol-engined Macans must soldier on for at least 12 more months as the launch of the new Macan E-Performance - which is almost two years behind schedule due to persistent software issues - has been delayed repeatedly to the first quarter of 2024.

We drove two mildly camouflaged pre-production cars - the entry-level 280kW version and the top-of-the-line 456kW Turbo. But since type approval is still three months away, some data reported in this story is to be taken with a pinch of salt.

While the original Macan is a proper SUV, the new E-Performance version is, according to its maker, an "even sportier CUV with shorter overhangs, broader shoulders and a fast-dropping flyline." A smaller frontal area and a lot of wind-tunnel work has resulted in a more favourable 0.24 drag coefficient.

The entry-level E-Performance shares its advanced Premium Platform Electric (PPE) with the Audi Q6 e-tron, which will also be available as coupé when it arrives next year. Although both cars were developed by a joint project team, maximum differentiation was a key target. As a result, the brands did not only opt for different sheetmetal and interiors but also for bespoke drivetrains, steering systems and suspension set-ups.

The main uniting factor is the software, which keeps troubling all members of the VW Group. Unique to Macan are the Turbo's active rear spoiler, active air intakes and stacked headlights comprising upper four-dot DRLs and lower adaptive short- and long-range projectors.