Porsche has put its upcoming battery-powered Macan through the ringer to ensure the model is fit to wear the iconic badge.
The electric 2024 Porsche Macan has been caught on camera undergoing testing on Germany’s iconic Nurburgring racing ciruit, as the model edges closer to production.
These spy images taken by one of Drive’s European photography partners show Porsche engineers pushing the Macan electric vehicle (EV) to the limit on the 20 kilometre circuit, with the SUV’s suspension and powertrain being evaluated under high-stress conditions.
While details of the Porsche Macan electric SUV is expected to be announced at a formal unveiling – which has been pushed from 2023 to 2024 – we do know it is based on the same ‘PPE’ architecture underpinning the 2024 Audi Q6 E-Tron, with more than 400kW and 800Nm on the cards.
Porsche has previously said the new Macan EV (electric vehicle) will exceed the driving range of its electric Taycan sedan – which offers up to 484km (WLTP) in rear-wheel-drive guise – suggesting the SUV could also be offered with rear-wheel drive to help maximise its range.
On the styling front, the Macan gets a more handsome front-end thanks to slimmer LED headlights and the omission of a grille, while the SUV’s roofline appears to be lower and tapered at the rear, offering a coupe-like silhouette.
Porsche’s party piece – a retractable, flush-mounted rear spoiler – will also feature on the electric model.
Though yet to be confirmed, there’s evidence to suggest flagship Macan EV could wear a Turbo badge – just like the Taycan – with the current crop of petrol-powered Macan models dropping the badge in favour of S, T, and GTS grades.
Like its stablemates, the internal-combustion Panamera and the electric Taycan, the company has said the petrol-powered Macan will be sold alongside the Macan EV for the foreseeable future.
The 2024 Porsche Macan EV is expected to begin production in late 2023 or early 2024.
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