November 25, 2024

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The new Macan 4 (left) and Macan Turbo (Porsche)

SINGAPORE -- Porsche debuted the new Macan -- the automaker’s second all-electric vehicle and first battery-powered sport utility vehicle -- in Singapore on Thursday, officially signaling the start of its future lineup based on the company’s EV-dedicated platform.

“We are taking the Macan to a completely new level with exceptional E-Performance, the new driver experience and a very impressive design,” said Oliver Blume, chairman of Porsche’s executive board, during the world premiere at the Gardens by the Bay nature park in Singapore.

The German carmaker presented two electric vehicle models at the event -- the Macan 4 and Macan Turbo. As the first vehicle to have been developed on Porsche’s Premium Platform Electric, the new Macan should not be considered just an upgrade based on the existing internal combustion engine model, according to Jorg Kerner, vice president of Macan’s product line.

“Every part of this car is completely new,” said Kerner.

“There are no parts that were taken from another car. Because of our new platform, it’s like a beginning for Porsche’s future EVs.”

The Macan 4 (Porsche)

The exterior of the new Macan looks like a combination blending the best features of the Cayenne, Porsche’s popular SUV that is bigger than the Macan, and the Taycan, the automaker’s first battery-powered sports sedan launched in 2019.

“The new Macan is clearly recognizable by its brand identity as part of the Porsche product family,” said Michael Mauer, vice president of Porsche style.

“The classic Porsche proportions have been further developed and optimally adapted to the challenges of an electric vehicle. This has further heightened the sporty, modern and dynamic appearance of the Macan.”

The new Macan has been equipped with Porsche’s latest generation of permanently excited electric motors on the front and rear axles to achieve greater efficiency and enable optimum reproducibility of the power output. With the launch control, the Macan 4 produces up to 300 kilowatts -- equivalent to 408 horsepower -- with maximum torque of 650 newton-meters. The Macan Turbo, meanwhile, produces up to 470 kilowatts and 1,130 newton-meters. The Macan 4 can go from zero to 100 kilometers per hour in 5.2 seconds, while it takes just 3.3 seconds for the Macan Turbo.

The new Macan features a lithium-ion battery with a gross capacity of 100 kilowatt-hours. The battery can be charged from 10 to 80 percent in about 21 minutes using a fast charger with a DC charging output of 270 kilowatts. Under Worldwide harmonized Light vehicles Test Procedure standards, the ranges of the Macan 4 and the Macan Turbo are up to 613 and 591 kilometers, respectively.

The Macan Turbo (Porsche)

Porsche also pointed to its technology of active and passive aerodynamics optimized for driving range, resulting in a drag coefficient of 0.25, making it one of the most streamlined SUVs in the market.

According to Robert Meier, director of Macan’s complete vehicle product line, the new electric SUV is equipped with battery cells produced by Chinese battery maker CATL at its German plant. The battery cell type is NMC 811, comprising 80 percent nickel, 10 percent cobalt and 10 percent manganese, boasting high energy density, favorable rate capability and relatively low product cost.

The Taycan has used battery cells manufactured by Korea's LG Energy Solution.

Since the original Macan’s launch in 2014, Porsche has sold some 840,000 units across the world. Kerner said the goal is to sell between 80,000 and 100,000 units of the new Macan annually worldwide.

According to Porsche, the battery-powered Macan is scheduled to be released in the global market in the second half of this year. The price of Porsche’s entry-level SUV has been set at 84,100 euros ($91,300) for the Macan 4 and 114,600 euros for the Macan Turbo.

By Kan Hyeong-woo (hwkan@heraldcorp.com)