So far, the purely electric offensive has materialized in the form of three Taycan variants within the German brand. But in order to register a larger volume of sales, the Stuttgart-based division must necessarily start assembling its future Macan EV, Porsche which has already confirmed its arrival somewhere in 2024. The trouble is, we’ll have to wait a few more months to learn more about the brand’s first electric SUV… considering the Taycan Cross Turismo isn’t officially a crossover.
Perhaps that’s why Porsche strategists have released some juicy information about the upcoming SUV. According to the British publication Autocar, the head of powertrains for the Macan lineup, Antoon Janssen, said that the automaker’s goal with the Macan EV is to offer the sportiest vehicle in its segment.
Based on the new PPE (for Premium Platform Electric) platform, the upcoming Macan EV will be powered by a pair of electric motors similar to those used on the current Taycan. Both motors are said to be capable of delivering 603 horsepower and an even more impressive 738 lb-ft of torque.
However, both motors would have benefited from slight modifications, notably in the arrangement of the magnets, which are now placed in a “V” shape, as well as the replacement of the silicon semiconductors with a silicon carbide assembly, which should in principle reduce losses.
In an effort to save battery power, it will be possible to “decouple” the front motor in situations where all-wheel drive is not needed. Weight distribution has also been the subject of much attention, with engineers making sure to place the rear motor as far back as possible, which explains why 52 percent of the weight is in the rear, compared to 48 percent in the front. And since the electric Macan will favour a sportier driving style with an emphasis on the rear wheels, the vehicle will be equipped with wider tires in this area.
The steering column has also been improved to give more angle (15% more than the gasoline model) to improve maneuverability. What’s more, rear-wheel steering will also be possible.
The vehicle will also be equipped with a 100 kWh battery with 800 V technology that can handle loads up to 270 kW. Janssen also added that the platform is capable of supporting a larger battery, a clue that points directly to a future Cayenne with a larger battery. Ultimately, though, Porsche’s goal is to reduce the size of the battery, if only to ensure Porsche-like handling.
