Ten years after setting a new high water mark for sports SUVs, the Porsche Macan has entered its second generation, this time with all-electric power.
Eagerly anticipated by customers and fans, the all-new Macan has made its Australian debut with two model variants: the Macan Turbo and the Macan 4. Both offer drivers new levels of comfort, practicality and Porsche E-Performance. The new Macan Turbo delivers up to 470 kW of overboost power and up to 1,130 Nm of torque. For the Macan 4, those figures are 300 kW and 650 Nm. For both models they translate to 0 – 100 km/h times of 3.3 seconds (Macan Turbo) and 5.2 seconds (Macan 4) with sports car-like handling to match.
But the new Macan is much more than its athletic abilities, as Australia’s national media and leading influencers recently discovered at its market launch presentation in November.
“The new Macan successfully combines four essentials,” said Daniel Schmollinger, CEO and Managing Director of Porsche Cars Australia. “Porsche performance, long-distance range and everyday usability wrapped in a progressive, timeless design.”
On-track skills
Media guests experienced the new Macan’s signature Porsche performance during a series of on-track driving sessions at Queensland’s Norwell Motorplex. Acceleration and braking tests on the skid pan raised some eyebrows thanks to the new Macan’s high levels of power and torque, which also impressed during the group lap-driving sessions on the facility’s circuit.
“This new Macan would easily show a clean set of heels to plenty of fast sports cars,” said Luke Youlden, Porsche Chief Driving Instructor.
Dinner at The Calile in Brisbane concluded day one before a full schedule of driving the following day, which included lunch at a private residence at the scenic Beechmont Estate.
Sports tourer
The new Macan demonstrated its weekend touring abilities with a scenic drive through Queensland’s deep-green Currumbin Valley. Offering more than 600 kilometres of available driving range# from a single battery charge, the new Macan showed its skill-set reaches far beyond urban habitats.
The new Macan is the first Porsche to be built using Premium Platform Electric (PPE), the technology platform that gives it not only an advanced 800-volt electrical architecture but its chassis design with a low centre of gravity.
Daniel Schmollinger summarised it nicely: “You think you’re driving a pure sports car until you realise you’re in a quiet and comfortable luxury SUV.”
Recharging
Amidst the activities was an opportunity for VIP guests to experience the type of weekend adventure many Porsche owners enjoy with their cars.
Offsetting the excitement of the Currumbin Vallery’s twisting roads was the opportunity to join the Macan SUVs for a recharging session at Eden Health Retreat, with an afternoon of yoga, swimming and dinner.
“You think you’re driving a pure sports car until you realise you’re in a quiet and comfortable luxury SUV.” Daniel Schmollinger, CEO and Managing Director, Porsche Cars Australia
Among the guests were Australian Olympian Peter Bol, professional surfer Nikki Van Dijk and actor Lakota Johnson.
The new Macan allows up to 270 kW DC charging power with DC power, which means it can recharge from 10 percent state of charge to 80 percent in as little as 21 minutes^.
The new Porsche Macan Turbo and Macan 4 will make its official debut at Australian Porsche Centres from 7 December 2024.
Info
# The published consumption (l/100km and Wh/km), emissions (g/km) and kilometre (km) range figures are determined by Porsche AG testing in accordance with ADR 81/02 on test vehicles. Actual figures will vary as they are dependent on many factors, including without limitation: individual driving style, road and traffic conditions, environmental conditions, fuel quality, a vehicle’s or battery’s condition, load and use. Extra features and accessories (eg: equipment, wheels or tyres used etc.) can change relevant vehicle parameters such as weight, rolling resistance and aerodynamics and can also affect the consumption, emission, range and performance values of a vehicle. CO₂ emissions can also be generated at the power source when vehicles are being recharged, unless 100% renewable energy is used. Generally, consumption, emissions, kilometre range and charging times will vary from the published figures in real world Australian driving and charging conditions.
^The specified charging outputs and times (hour/minutes) are dependent on various factors: in general, the charging output and time can vary due to physical and chemical limits, depending on factors such as the available output of the country-specific energy infrastructure, the customer's own domestic installation, the temperature, interior pre-conditioning and charging status, as well as the age of the battery. Charging times may therefore be significantly higher than those specified. To achieve the optimum value of the specified DC charging time (DC = direct current) for a charge status increase from 5 to 80%, a CCS (combined charging system) fast-charging pedestal with > 270kW and > 850V is required, as well as a battery temperature of 30°–35°C. The charging status when commencing charging must not exceed 5%. For physical and chemical reasons, the charging speed decreases as the battery approaches its full capacity. Therefore, it usually makes sense to use fast DC charging to charge the battery up to 80% or up to the required range. The predominant use of CCS fast charging pedestals leads to a long term increase in charging times. For regular fast DC charging, we recommend a maximum charging output of 50kW. When charging in a domestic environment, AC charging (AC = alternating current) is recommended. Using an (AC) industrial electrical outlet will result in improved efficiency and a much shorter charging time compared to using a household socket. Published figures should only be used for the purpose of comparison between vehicles. Please contact an Official Porsche Centre to obtain specific information about vehicles and features.
