Only the second generation in over a decade, the new Porsche Macan has been revealed. How has its electric powertrain changed things?
The second generation Macan is also Porsche’s second electric vehicle, so this is a fairly big deal. At first glance it appears a little conservative for a new generation, but the silhouette – particularly from side profile – feels quite different. As is often the case, it comes down to the details.
The exterior retains a similar compact SUV footprint, but introduces more of a fastback to the rear. The absence of such a pronounced boot spoiler emphasises this fastback look, too. The original Macan sat more as a conventional SUV, even in GTS form, whereas the new electric generation almost takes the guise of a crossover. The gallery below shows the new car in purple, the old in blue for comparison.
Also absent are the tailpipes given its new battery powertrain, and the lower mask is a little cleaner as a result. The same can be said for the front mask, although the new Turbo variant is far more aggressive with a protruding lip spoiler, sharper lines and bigger intakes.
The light signatures both front and rear have also been given a new look. The rear is much thinner than the prior generation and more uniform, now inset slightly into the quarter panel (on the Turbo, these insets house air diffusers.) The headlights are also narrower and have sharper lines both outside and within the lamps themselves; four horizontal DRLs accent the main housing well and show a clear evolution from the previous model.
We have seen prototypes being tested under fairly restrained camouflage, with press shots of ice driving, ascending rocky outcrops and blasting through deserts suggesting more of an all-terrain focus than the original Macan. That being said, the official reveal seems to focus on city streets and sweeping backroads – probably a more realistic set of use cases.
Inside, the cabin retains a similar layout with a chunky IP and prominent clock mounted in the centre. But like the exterior there are subtle changes that help to create a much cleaner package. Buttons are still present but have been dramatically reduced compared to the first generation, particularly on the centre console (see picture 2 in the above gallery).
Where there was a gear lever now sits a pair of cupholders, a storage compartment and comfort controls. The door handles have also been streamlined and appear to sit slightly lower, reducing visual clutter and creating open space. Most significant is the super-wide touchscreen display, which now occupies the entire width of the dash. This will work in tandem with a new augmented reality (AR) head-up display for the driver.
The sketches teased earlier this week (and produced by designer Woosung Chung) ultimately feel true to form, and are clearly representative of the production version shown today.
While the two generations are not worlds apart at first glance, closer inspection reveals how a number of small changes add up to create a very different Macan. The less said about the ‘Turbo’ nonmenclature on an EV, the better.
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