Porsche is reportedly reconsidering its decision to discontinue the internal combustion engine (ICE) version of its Macan SUV, the brand’s best-selling model. The move comes amid evolving market conditions and a broader reassessment of electric vehicle strategies across the industry.
According to a report from Car Magazine, the German automaker is exploring a plan to reintroduce a combustion-engine Macan model, potentially leveraging the same platform as the new Audi Q5. A return to ICE could take approximately three years to develop, the report notes, with a formal announcement possible as early as March 2026.
Porsche Chief Financial Officer Lutz Meschke hinted at such flexibility earlier this year, stating in January, “We are exploring the possibility of equipping some of the originally planned electric models with hybrid drives or internal combustion engines in the future.” This comment has since fueled speculation that the company is rebalancing its product roadmap in light of fluctuating EV demand.
While the Macan EV has made a solid start—with 18,278 units sold in Q4 2024, accounting for 66% of total Macan sales that year—Porsche appears cautious. Industry observers point to the waning momentum of EV-only models such as the Taycan as a possible driver behind the strategic rethink.
Any return to combustion would aim to maintain customer engagement and fill a potential gap in Porsche’s portfolio. Sharing components with Audi could also reduce development time and costs. However, with strict European emissions regulations still in place, Porsche would face a challenging task in meeting both compliance and customer expectations.
