Porsche has provided details on its new electric crossover, the Macan EV, which will go on sale in the first half of 2022. Originally slated for a release in 2022, development delays due to software issues meant the release of the Macan EV was postponed to 2024. On the other hand, the Audi Q6 The E-Tron, which uses the same platform as the Macan EV, was also delayed.
This compact crossover is the first Porsche car to use the Volkswagen Group’s latest PPE modular EV platform. Porsche and Audi were commissioned to develop the platform, designed for premium models. For mainstream models, the VW Group brand relies on the MEB platform.
Unlike the Porsche J1 platform that underpins the Taycan, the PPE platform is flexible enough for both low-riding and high-riding models. For the Macan EV, the platform will feature a 98-kwh battery pack and dual electric motors. The platform is rumored to have a combined output of over 603 hp and 740 lb-ft of torque.
This 98-kWh battery will run at 800 volts, enabling high-speed charging. Using a 350-kw charging point, Porsche hinted that a four-minute charge could add another 60 miles to it and close to 250 miles in less than 20 minutes.
Porsche is also demonstrating the 450-kw charge, where 60 miles can be added in just three minutes. The EPA’s mileage in the current Porsche electric sedan is up to 242 miles.
The Macan EV is also rumored to have a fully variable rear differential and an electronically controlled rear differential lock, which Porsche calls a Performance Rear Axle.
The rear electric motor will be mounted slightly behind the axle to make room for the gears and is slightly rear biased in terms of weight distribution, namely 48:52 front to rear.
Porsche also revealed that it will use silicon carbide for the inverter, which reduces electrical losses and offers power switching at higher frequencies.
