Driving an “electric miracle” on four wheels

The world is changing, even if car enthusiasts don’t want to admit it. What better clue than the planned May 28 launch of the first hybrid Porsche 911? Not only does this electrified 911 promise significantly lower emissions, it also improves performance: according to the German company, its lap time on the legendary Nürburgring is 8.7 seconds faster than the version it replaces, the Carrera S. Some may think sacrilege, but they have forgotten that ten years ago, Porsche presented the plug-in hybrid Spyder 918, with amazing performance (0-100 km/h in 2.6 seconds and a top speed of 345 km/h), while with the Taycan the manufacturer in question . It did not hesitate to enter the world of pure electric cars. Porsche recently updated this particular model, packing it with even more impressive features, like 952 horsepower and 320 kilowatt charging capability. At the same time, it introduced the second generation of the Macan, which will be available exclusively in purely electric versions.

Behind the wheel of the new Macan

We had the opportunity to get behind the wheel of the electric Macan during the model’s global launch, which took place in the south of France, and appreciate what’s new about the new model. First impressions are all about aesthetic impact, as the new Macan’s aerodynamic body is based on sporty SUV proportions, with its front design bearing clear influences from the Taycan. Inside the car’s spacious cabin, the environment feels familiar, very reminiscent of the last-generation Cayenne. Up to three displays are offered on the car’s dashboard, one 12.6 inches for the digital instrument panel, one for the infotainment system with a diagonal of 10.9 inches, while there is also an additional screen of the same size for the passenger, which is of course not visible from the driver’s seat.

The new Macan is offered in two versions, differentiated mostly based on power characteristics, namely the Macan 4 and the Macan Turbo. Both adopt two electric motors (one on each axle), ensuring all-wheel drive characteristics. More specifically, the Macan 4 has a maximum power of 408 hp and a range of up to 613 km, while the performance of the Macan Turbo thanks to the more powerful rear engine reaches 639 hp, with a maximum range of 591 km. Also impressive is the maximum torque in these two versions, reaching respectively 650 and 1,130 Nm. How does all this translate into performance? The Macan 4 accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds, while the Macan Turbo needs only 3.3 seconds. The maximum speed for the two models is limited to 220 and 260 km/h, respectively.

The electric motors here derive their energy from a large lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 100 kilowatts per hour, while the DC charging power reaches 270 kilowatts, so that charging can be done from 10 to 80% in about 21 minutes.

Unreal power

A reasonable question is how such monstrous power and exuberant torque can find its way to the tarmac. Another question concerns how a body weighing two and a half tons will behave in corners, so as not to betray the DNA of the German brand. The solution in this case lies in the floor of the new electric car equipped with a multi-link suspension system on both axles, surrounded by all the electronic systems necessary to control the traction and dynamic behavior of the Macan.

The car’s unreal power is then managed by the electronically controlled Porsche Traction Management (ePTM) system, which controls the two electric motors and operates around five times faster than a conventional all-wheel drive system.

The braking system now withstands the conditions and is effective, without tiring from repeated hard braking, while the car also surprises with the way it negotiates corners. It is known that the body slopes are non-existent, as the center of gravity of the new Macan is 14 cm lower than the previous model.

In all of this, note that the Macan now has optional all-wheel drive. With a rear wheel angle of up to five degrees, a particularly tight turning circle of 11.1 meters is achieved, making the car agile in traffic, while at the same time the steering responds more effectively to the driver’s commands when moving at speed on twisty roads.

Therefore, thanks to the development of technology, there are no discounts on the sporting character of the car, on the altar of environmental requirements. Quite the opposite, as the electric Macan offers a clearly higher driving thrill than its predecessor, and this says a lot about what electric cars can offer us in the future. It is no coincidence, after all, that the roadmap for a company like Porsche predicts that half of its sales over the next year will relate to electrified models (electric or plug-in hybrid), and by 2030, 80% (!) of them will be such models. It has to do with purely electric cars.