Porsche continues to put its all-electric Macan through the paces at the Nurburgring, though it’s now not due until 2024.
Previously expected to launch in 2023, Porsche boss Oliver Blume told Automobilwoche last month the electric crossover is set for a market launch in 2024.
The delay is reportedly due to issues with the Volkswagen Group’s software division, Cariad.
Our spy photographers have captured three camouflaged prototypes of the Macan EV at the Nurburgring, one of which has unusual body add-ons on the wheel arches and rear diffuser.
It’s unclear what these foam-looking pieces are for exactly but it could potentially be for sound-deadening or aerodynamic testing.
It’s also still unclear how many electric motors the Macan EV will have, or what the power and torque figures will be.
The electric SUV will be the “sportiest model in its segment“, according to Porsche executive board member for research and development Dr. Michael Steiner.
Porsche has also prioritised long-distance range and high-performance fast charging in the development of the Macan EV.
Like the Taycan, which was Porsche’s first all-electric model, the Macan EV will use an 800V electrical architecture.
As previously noted, there are two front bumper designs on the spied Porsche Macan EVs, pointing to slightly different front-end styling for the regular Macan EV and the more powerful model that’s expected to be called the Turbo.
At the front all the prototypes have a bi-level headlight design, with an upper block comprising four strips of LED daytime running lights, and a lower set containing the main low- and high-beam lights.
There’s also a large lower air intake.
The main differences regular and Turbo models are the side air intakes. The regular model has trapezoidal side air intakes and the sportier model has more triangular units.
Around the side, there are prominent shoulders and a sharply raked tailgate, the latter reminiscent of the Cayenne Coupe. The third side window and rear pillar remain camouflaged.
Down back there’s a full-width light bar, an active rear spoiler and faux exhaust outlets.
Although we didn’t get a look inside these particular Macan EV prototypes, previously spied examples have had a dash that’s clearly inspired by the Taycan and features a curved digital instrument cluster.
Previous spied prototype
There’s a knobby, electric shaver-style gear selector, like that of the Taycan and the upcoming Panamera which has recently been spied.
On the centre stack there are climate control toggles and touch-capacitive switchgear. This looks like an evolution of the current, petrol-powered Macan’s setup.
Under the skin, the all-electric Macan is based on the new Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture jointly developed by Porsche and Audi. It will also be used in the Audi Q6 e-tron, which was recently spied in prototype form.
As previously reported, the petrol-powered Macan will remain on sale alongside this new all-electric Macan for a few years.
The updated 2022 Porsche Macan arrived locally in mid-2022, and is available with either a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine in the base model and the T, or a 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 in the S and GTS models.
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MORE: Everything Porsche Macan
