Details firm for Porsche’s all-electric Macan

PORSCHE is putting the prototype of its all-electric Macan through what it says is “an exacting and gruelling test program” to prepare the SUV for its forthcoming world premiere.

The second-generation Macan arrives 10 years after the introduction of its predecessor and is the first Porsche model to be built on the company’s new Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture. The model is currently undergoing testing in California as part of a global real-world testing strategy aimed at evaluating the model’s reliability.

This week, Porsche announced details of driving dynamic testing of the Macan under extreme conditions, focusing on achieving a familial steering and chassis response it says are core competencies of the model.

In endurance tests, the vehicle’s service life is simulated under the kinds of harsh operating conditions Porsche says will only be experienced by customers at “the absolute limit”.

To date, camouflaged prototypes of the all-electric Macan have completed over 3.5 million kilometres of testing on closed circuits and public roads, testing the interaction of all active driving components under “extreme conditions and situational loads”.

“We cover temperature ranges from minus 30 degrees Celsius in Scandinavia to plus 50 degrees Celsius in Death Valley in California,” said Macan product line vice president Jorg Kerner.

“Of course, an SUV also has to work on any surface, that is why we test not only on roads, but also off-road, gravel, snow and ice.”

Mr Kerner said the rear-focused all-wheel drive system in the electric Macan is “always on home turf” in this regard, noting that Porsche’s latest generation of permanently excited motors can provide over boost power of more than 450kW, offering excellent power output and efficiency.

Further, Porsche’s electronically controlled traction management system ensures the distribution over 1000Nm of torque – with launch control – to offer a “broad spectrum between high performance and comfort”.

The Macan EV rides on an active suspension setup with two-valve damping technology, air springs, rear axle lock, and rear axle steering to ensure the most accurate and comfortable driving experience.

Importantly, Mr Kerner says the Macan EV is also one of the most aerodynamic SUVs Porsche has ever produced. The model offers a drag coefficient of just 0.25Cd while at the same time maintaining an optimal balance between aesthetics and function.

“When we develop a new model, it is always about the driving dynamics and precision – that’s Porsche. It is in our DNA. But it is always about efficiency too. And design,” he explained.

The range-optimised aerodynamics offered in the new Macan EV are achieved not only be re-sculpting the body, but also through active aerodynamic components and other “targeted measures”.

“The active aerodynamic elements all significantly contribute to range,” explained Porsche director of aerodynamics and aeroacoustics, Thomas Wiegand.

“We have an automatically extending rear spoiler and active cooling flaps on the front air intakes.”

These elements are joined by a flat floor and an enclosed rear axle housing where the fairing is flexible to ensure low air resistance even when the suspension is at full travel. The alloy wheels are “largely enclosed” to lower turbulence and the tyres “aerodynamically optimised”.

Of course, when it comes time to recharge the Macan EV, efficiency is also of the essence. Fast DC charging of up to 270kW is offered for all markets, the 800-volt / 100kWh (gross) lithium-ion battery enabling high-performance fast charging wherever the model is sold.

“There are different charging standards in our main markets. Therefore, a major focus of our testing has been checking these different framework conditions in different locations with our prototypes and adapting the technology accordingly where necessary,” said Mr Kerner.

“Charging simply has to work, wherever and whenever. The DC charging capacity for the new Macan at 800-volt charging stations is up to 270kW.

“The charge level can be increased from 10 to 80 per cent in less than 22 minutes at 400-volt charging stations, a high-voltage switch in the battery enabling bank charging by effectively splitting the 800-volt battery into two batteries, each with a rated voltage of 400 volts.

“This enables particularly efficient charging, without an additional HV (high voltage) booster, at up to 150kW. AC charging is possible at up to 11kW.”

The Porsche Macan EV is expected to go on sale later this year.