Ever wondered how the press cars you see on CarExpert are configured?
Usually, a public relations representative from a given brand sits down at a laptop and builds it themselves. They’ll consider hero colours, desirable options and, in some cases, think about what can be added to make a car drive better.
Sometimes, that means fitting small wheels to improve ride quality. Others, it might be a choice selection of performance add-ons to tighten up the handling of an otherwise slightly wayward car.
Porsche is taking a different approach with one of its new Macan EV press cars, and handing CarExpert the keys.
We’ve been asked to configure a base Macan or a Macan 4S. And rather than one person making executive decisions about the car, we’ve decided to make it a competition.
The configurations you see below will be posted on the CarExpert Instagram page this weekend. Our followers will then vote, and the winner will be shared with Porsche to be built.
Here’s how each member of the CarExpert content team specced their Macan. Head to Instagram to have your say on which becomes reality.
We’ve given a quick breakdown of our main design choices in the interests of brevity. A full build sheet has been provided to Porsche of each configuration.
MORE: Porsche Macan EV range grows for 2025
MORE: 2025 Porsche Macan Electric review and video
Scott Collie: Macan 4S
As you’d expect, I have done this properly. The new Macan EV has a unique shape and demands a different approach to a 911 or Taycan, which means Gentian Blue is out and Aventurine Green Metallic is in.
A set of 22-inch Macan Sport wheels give it a mean stance on the road, while little touches like gloss black trim for the window line, body-coloured mirror caps, and black brake calipers all help maintain a clean silhouette.
Inside, the Club leather interior in Truffle Brown just looks nice, while the Summerwood trim and Neodyne accents add a touch of contrast. I’ve also opted for Chalk Beige on the seatbelts and Sport Chrono clock.
Finally, this is kitted out with a full range of performance options. That means rear-steer, adaptive air suspension, and Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus all feature.
William Stopford: Macan 4S
I’ve gone for a very interesting 4S – loaded with all the mechanical upgrades, including rear-axle steering, torque vectoring and adaptive air suspension, but with the most luxurious interior.
That includes beige leather, wood trim, and ventilated and massaging seats. Just because it’s a Porsche, doesn’t mean I want to go for some stark black-on-black, carbon-accented cabin.
As for the colour, every time I see a Porsche Taycan in Frozenblue Metallic, it gets my attention so it’s nice to see it offered on the Macan. It’s like a robin’s egg or baby blue, which seems so incongruous on a Porsche, but it’s utterly distinctive.
It also looks almost identical to the blue on the 1977-78 Pontiac Firebird ‘Skybird’ package, though while you can get colour-matching wheels on the Porsche as on the Pontiac they’re a bit too much on the Macan.
Alborz Fallah: Macan
The Porsche Macan EV is such an enormous bet on Porsche’s behalf that it almost deserves a medal for risk-taking.
With that in mind, if you’re going to buy one you may as well go a little crazy to make sure it doesn’t just look like another greyscale rainbow of Germanic hell.
For that reason, my Porsche Macan would be in lavender or ‘Provence’ as Porsche likes to call it. It’s not quite pink which makes it okay for both my wife and I, but it’s outrageous enough that it would stand out.
If I wanted to spend the $18,000 that I would never ever see again for Paint To Sample, I would go for a brighter version of that colour, something even more crazy.
James Wong: Macan
I decided to go with the base RWD Macan because classic Porsche drive layout. Oak Green Metallic is a stunning shade of my favourite hue and combined with the optional Off-Road Design Package and adaptive air suspension the Macan Electric retains its SUV roots with enhanced on-road comfort levels.
Club Leather in Truffle Brown gives classic #GreenOverTan goodness, topped off perfectly with the wood interior design package.
Other key options I’ve ticked for the daily grind and great outdoors include ventilated front seats, the Sport Chrono Package with stopwatch in White, Porsche Crests embossed into the front headrests, and Bose premium audio. Oh, and don’t forget the panoramic roof.
$50,000 in options does sound like a lot, but I think my Macan is a winner.
Max Davies: Macan
Keeping it simple is the name of the game. I’ve gone with an understated yet classy dark grey colour on the outside, matched with the little bit of added aggression from the offroad design package.
I feel thicker wheel spokes work well on the Macan, but having chunky pieces of metal would be too much. That’s why I chose the machined finish on the outside with darker areas surrounding, as it’s enough to stand out from the paint but still blend with the overall look.
The truffle brown interior complements the grey well, and I’ve decided to again keep it understated. There are some clean accents around to keep it interesting, as well as some little additions like the Porsche wording and sports seats.
Joshua Nevett: Macan 4S
The Macan Electric brings a different type of (quiet) refinement, and I’ve specced this example as such.
Exterior Oak Green metallic paint is fun yet understated, and it’s complemented by a loaded brown leather interior that oozes comfort.
Electric versions of the Macan offer plenty of performance, but buyers are likely to favour a smooth drive. With that in mind, this configuration is light on racy features aside from front sports seats.
This Macan 4S wants for little, and would be the one I’d want to live with every day.
Jack Quick: Macan
With my Porsche Macan Electric configuration I decided to go for an understated exterior and over-the-top interior. This is because you spend more time looking at the inside rather than the outside.
On the exterior I wanted to highlight the optional 22-inch RS Spyder Design wheels painted in Neodyne, which is essentially a golden colour. This is why I opted for the stealthy look with Jet Black Metallic paint and a wide range of blacked-out elements.
Inside, there’s a Black and Bordeaux Red extended leather package that packs a punch.
To tie in some visual cohesion between the interior and exterior I made sure to opt for the Neodyne accent package which spans the dashboard, as well as the front and rear doors.
Jordan Mulach: Macan 4S
Going into the configurator for any Porsche is like falling down the rabbit hole, with an impossibly large number of exterior and interior combinations.
I can’t go past the Copper Ruby Metallic paint finish as it reminds me of the Velvet colour from my dad’s old Mk1 Ford FG Falcon G6E Turbo, which coincidentally had a cream Cashmere interior – which I’ve tried to replicate here with Black and Chalk Beige leather.
Opting for high-performance tyres forces you into the RS Spyder style wheels, which still look quite sharp.
All exterior trim is blacked out, while the interior includes features inspired by sportier models such as a GT steering wheel, the Sport Chrono Package, and carbon trim.
The cost of my lavishness means I’d end up paying $66,170 more than retail for these extras.
Sean Lander: Macan 4S
A while back we tested a base Macan in this Papaya Metallic paint and I loved it. Sure, it’s probably not going to age as well as black or white, but it stands out on a gloomy Melbourne day.
Optioning the painted Off-Road Design package (which I wouldn’t take off-road for fear of damaging the trim) removed the base model feeling the black bumper and side skirts gave off.
Satin black 22-inch RS Spyder Design wheels were a must, as were black door handles and carbon side mirrors, finished with black roof rails. The headlights had the option of Matrix LEDs with Glacier Blue highlights, a no brainer.
Inside, I stuck with the traditional black-on-black, but like any Porsche worth its salt the black seatbelts have been swapped out for Crayon coloured belts.
Sport Chrono (obviously) and the carbon interior package feature, along with leather-wrapped air vents, heated and cooled front seats, and illuminated Porsche logos below the head rests.
Tyra Lawler-Cass: Macan 4S
There’s nothing quite like an all-black Porsche.
While I do love a green and tan combination (particularly on a 911), I chose a Jet Black Metallic exterior and an all-black leather interior to keep things cohesive and timeless.
I made some strategic decisions like 22-inch RS Spyder Design wheels and performance tyres, as well as extra storage compartments in the boot, and heated seats in the front and rear.
At this price, the car needs to make my life less stressful.
Subtle touches like the Summerwood finishes, the Porsche crest on the headrests, and the illuminated seat badges add extra flair to the interior (plus, the inside won’t feel like an abyss).
I chose a GT Sports steering wheel and dial to fuel my dreams of a sports car. I also didn’t include a passenger screen. I’m forever anti-passenger screen – appreciate the car you’re travelling in!
Megan Spence: Macan 4S
I decided to go for a sleek performance vibe, and the Slate Grey Neo colour was the perfect choice.
The car sits on 22-inch black RS Spyder Design wheels that really enhance its stealthy look. I also added red brake calipers for a pop of colour, which contrast nicely with the sleek gloss black trim on the windows and body-coloured mirror caps.
Inside, I went with a stylish Black and Crayon leather interior. The Crayon seatbelts tie everything together, adding a touch of flair and complementing the overall design perfectly. I just had to add the passenger display in as well because, why not?
Performance-wise, this Macan EV is equipped with all the top features. With rear-axle steering and adaptive air suspension, it’s ready to demolish a fun road as well.
