since 1976
since 1976
By Lee Pang Seng
THE new Porsche Macan made an electrifying start to its World Premiere in Gardens by the Bay, Singapore to become the second fully electric Porsche model and first electric SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle) in its range. For sure, Porsche is showing its EV (electric vehicle) capability by featuring the entry-level SUV as a BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle).
Its first BEV in the Taycan four-door sports car was launched in China with simultaneous introduction in Germany and Canada. For the latest Macan, Porsche chose to hold the World Premiere only in Singapore.
Perhaps, it was to reflect its Asean Growth Strategy as part its Overseas (V5 region) plans. With most countries in this region indicating a willingness to promote BEVs with good tax incentives and build a wide charging infrastructure, it was seen as a promising region. Moreover, China carmakers are already hitting the ground running in Thailand by investing in production facilities for its respective BEV models.
Porsche’s Asean Growth Strategy, which runs till 2030, also sees the Asean region growing in economic power, rising to be the third largest economies globally in 2030 trailing China and the US. This means better purchasing among its people, which currently number more than 650,000 people combined.
Current car statistics already look good for Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam and Brunei. Porsche expects the economy in the other countries in the Asean region to pick up strongly towards 2030.
The Asean Growth Strategy also sees a two-hub concept, with Malaysia being targeted for products and services, and Singapore for markets and channels. Malaysia is currently producing the Cayenne on a CKD (complete knock down) or local assembly basis for local consumption. Porsche is, obviously, look at expanding the country’s role in producing cars for the region.
While Porsche is focusing on a BEV future with the latest Macan, it says it would entertain requests from buyers for engine-powered variants. Although the Macan EV went through more than 3.5 million kilometres of tests, we believe tests were also done with engine-powered variants.
Macan 4 & Macan Turbo
As the first all-electric SUV from Porsche, a lot is riding on the latest Macan to follow in the footsteps of Taycan. Two models are introduced – Macan 4 and Macan Turbo – with different powertrains to pander the respective demand.
To live up to its BEV status, the latest Macan design architecture is all new from the ground up. Porsche says it uses the latest generation of permanently-excited PSM electric motors on the front and rear axles to achieve ‘excellent efficiency’ and enable optimum reproduction of the power output.
The Macan 4 delivers 300kW (408PS) of overboost power while torque is a respectable 650Nm. Measuring up to its name, the Macan Turbo naturally goes further with 470kW (639PS) and 1130Nm. All that output translates to 0-100km/h of 5.2 seconds for the Macan 4 and 3.3 seconds for the Macan Turbo. Top speed is 220km/h and 260km/h respectively.
Both models are all-wheel drives and the electric motors draw their energy from a lithium-ion battery in the underbody, with a gross capacity of 100 kWh, of which up to 95 kWh could be actively used. Porsche says the HV battery is a central component of the newly developed Premium Platform Electric (PPE) with 800-volt architecture that is used for the first time in the new Macan.
The DC (direct current) charging output is up to 270kW and the battery could be charged from 10 to 80 per cent in about 21 minutes at a ‘suitable fast-charging station’. At 400-volt charging stations, a high-voltage switch in the battery enables bank charging by effectively splitting the 800-volt battery into two batteries, each with a rated voltage of 400 volts. AC (alternating current) charging at up to 11kW is possible with household wall boxes.
In urban driving, up to 240kW of energy could be recuperated via the electric motors. That explains why a higher range is possible in city driving as the regenerative function while braking and slowing down restores battery capacity. Porsche says the Macan 4 has a combined WLTP range of 516-613km while the city electricity range is 665-784km. The Macan Turbo’s range is 518-591km and 670-765km respectively.
The Integrated Power Box (IPB) is said to contribute to the efficiency of the new Macan models, while also saving weight and space. The innovative and compact IPB combines three components – on-board AC charger, high-voltage heater and DC/DC converter.
Sporty and coupe-like lines
Retaining the Porsche Design DNA is important and the sharper portions of the new Macan retain its dynamic and sporty orientation. Michael Mauer, Vice President Style Porsche, says: “The new Macan is clearly recognisable by its brand identity as part of the Porsche product family. The classic Porsche proportions were further developed and optimally adapted to the challenges of an electric vehicle.”
This is clearly seen in the shallow pitch of the bonnet and strongly pronounced wings to give the Macan a ‘dynamic appearance even when stationary’. The sleek looks continue with the ‘characteristic Porsche flyline forming a unit with the flat rear window along with the frameless doors with characteristic side blades. Rounding out at the rear are ‘strongly pronounced shoulders’ for a muscular look.
Dimensionally, the new Macan sits on a longer 86mm wheelbase over the previous model’s 2893mm. It is 4,784mm long, 1,938mm wide and 1,622mm high and runs on up to 22-inch wheels with staggered tyre fitment.
The Porsche Active Aerodynamics (PAA) with active and passive elements and an aerodynamic factor (Cd) of 0.25 are said to make the new Macan one of the most streamlined SUVs in the market. The PAA system includes the adaptive rear spoiler, active cooling flaps on the front air intakes and flexible covers on the fully sealed underbody. There are also air curtains below the headlamp module in front and louvred diffuser at the rear.
Inside the new Macan, electrification has led to increased luggage space. Depending on model and equipment, the luggage area has 540 litres of space. Up front there is the ‘frunk’, a second luggage compartment under the bonnet offering 84 litres of space. Combined, the new Macan offers 136 litres more space than the previous model.
In passenger accommodation, again depending on model and equipment, the driver and front passenger are said to sit 28mm lower than that in the previous Macan. Rear passengers would sit 15mm lower and enjoy increased legroom.
The new Macan is equipped with the latest generation display and operating concept with up to three screens. The driver has the free-standing 12.6-inch, curved design instrument cluster while a 10.9-inch serves as the centre display. Porsche says that for the first time, the front passenger could view information, adjust settings on the infotainment system and stream video content while the Macan is driven with an optional 10.9-inch screen.
All-wheel drive system
For the all-wheel drive system to work optimally, Porsche says the electric motors for the respective axle are controlled via the power electronics almost in real time. The electronically controlled Porsche Traction Management (ePTM) operates around five times faster than a conventional all-wheel drive system and could respond to slip within 10 milliseconds. The all-wheel drive distribution is governed by the selected driving programme. For the Macan Turbo, the Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus), an electronically controlled differential lock on the rear axle, contributes to the traction, driving stability and lateral dynamics.
Macans with air suspension, standard to Macan Turbo, are equipped with the Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) electronic damping control. This could also be combined with the steel-spring suspension as an option. PASM now also features dampers with two-valve technology.
Porsche adds that for the first time, the Macan has optional rear-axle steering, with a maximum steering angle of five degrees. It is said to enable a compact turning circle of 11.1 metres in urban traffic and when manoeuvring, while simultaneously enabling ‘exceptional driving stability’ at higher speeds.
Since 2014, Porsche delivered more than 800,000 examples of the Macan worldwide. Porsche believes this success story is set to continue with the all-electric Macan that is produced in a net carbon neutral way at the Porsche Plant Leipzig.
