When Porsche announced a few days ago that the next generation Porsche Macan will be 100% electric, it was a rock in the water.
In Europe, Diesel continues to have a considerable weight in sales in the higher segments and gasoline or partially electrified proposals are rapidly gaining ground.
It's just that, as much is talked about electrification, we are far from a total electrification of any range whatsoever, especially in European premium (or even generalist) manufacturers. Do we have new electrified models? Yes. But ranges that say goodbye to octane not really, at least for now.
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Take the case of Audi, which being a brand of the same group, announced a new Audi SQ5 Diesel that we will be able to see next week at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show. Confused?
This tells us that Porsche, the German bastion of sportiness and octane, is really looking to lead the way in electrification. He finished with the Diesels and already has two 100% electric vehicles on the way (Macan and Taycan) and the Porsche 911, the benchmark for the car industry in terms of performance, will have an electrified version in the very near future.
At the wheel of the Porsche Macan
When I turned the key on the left side of the steering wheel of the Porsche Macan, I was far from imagining that this gesture would not find a replica in the next generation of the German model. With the recent announcement of the total electrification of the Porsche Macan, the noise of that 3.0 turbo V6 engine (a hot-v) will only be remembered.
The Porsche Macan remains a good product. It's balanced, offers an interior space that is not shiny, fulfills its purposes and has driving sensations as its great asset, especially in the most powerful version of the range (for now): the Porsche Macan S.
The engine/box combination is excellent, with the 7-speed PDK showing that the fame is deserved. The escape note is interesting, but a “pop! for!" they are especially needed for those like me who like to hear a beautiful manifestation of the presence of a combustion engine.
With the restrictions on emissions, filters, silencers and other possible and imagined forms of castration, this 3.0 turbo V6 naturally had to give in. Still, at vigorous acceleration, we have a good soundtrack invading the cabin.
The benefits did not yield at all. With the Chrono pack, this Porsche Macan S releases 354 hp in order to achieve 0-100 km/h in 5.1 seconds. Not being the master of overwhelming numbers, they are more than enough.
Dealing with this power we have revised suspensions and brakes with greater power. The version with conventional brakes allows brisk paces q.b, with some fatigue arising after some time in situations of greater stress. The ceramic brakes are undisturbed, if you can pay the difference, don't think twice.
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What about consumptions?
When it comes to consumption, the Porsche Macan S gives us averages in the order of 11 liters per 100 km. The entry-level version, equipped with a 245 hp 2.0 turbo engine, allows us to lower this average to 9 liters, but what we have lost in terms of performance and sensation is considerable.
If you're looking for a Porsche SUV and have a “limited” budget, then the entry-level Porsche Macan is a good solution (from 80,282 euros). If you want an SUV that fully bears the Porsche symbol, the Macan S (from €97,386) is the unit you should definitely buy. The price difference, on the other hand, can make it difficult to choose...
Everything you need to know about the new Porsche Macan