We are only a few days away from the global unveiling of the all-new Porsche Macan EV, and Porsche has been kind enough to reveal the Macan already – albeit in sketches. The Macan will be Porsche’s first existing model that will become electric (The Taycan never had an ICE history), and it is built on the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture.
With the Macan welcoming an all-electric powertrain, new challenges arose for the design team at Porsche. Part of the challenges include striking the right balance between familiar design characteristics and new design, accommodating the aerodynamic requirements of an electric vehicle (EV), incorporating the large battery pack within the optimal width-to-height ratio of a Porsche, and complying with the higher safety standards of today.
Porsche Vice President of Style, Michael Mauer said, “The new Macan is the first model that we are electrifying from an existing, established product identity”. In his view, “every new sports car has to be very clearly recognisable as part of the Porsche product family and the model in question, but also has to be perceived as ‘the new one’”.
While the Porsche Macan EV adapts to an electrified automotive landscape, it preserves the key terms that distinguish a Porsche product – Focus, Tension, and Purpose. One example of this is the incorporation of “focus” in the interior design which puts the driver as the focus. Porsche has equipped the Macan with a curved display which is driver-centric. There is also a minimalist mode in the Macan that allows for zero distractions while you’re behind the wheel.
Not one to spoil its own surprise, Porsche hasn’t shared much else besides stating that the Macan will be instantly recognisable as a Porsche and as a Macan. With the fast-moving pace of the auto industry, especially in terms of design, Porsche states that it “doesn’t slavishly follow every trend” out there.
Mauer says that “Sometimes it’s a better strategy not to be the first-mover on every topic. The idea is to scrutinise trends and influences carefully and to examine critically whether they fit with the brand. This is the only way for us to preserve our unique identity over the long term.”
Judging by the design sketches of the Porsche Macan EV that has been revealed, we can say those words do hold true. All that’s left to do now is to wait for the global debut of the all-new Macan.
GALLERY
