Porsche Macan EV impresses as range tipped in unofficial real-world test

The upcoming Porsche Macan EV has long been bouncing around the EV rumour mills, with camouflaged test units previously sparking more than a little interest. Now, journalists at Edmunds have had the opportunity to test drive a prototype of the Macan EV ahead of its launch.

Blake Wong, the reviewer in question, also let slip that the Macan will have adjustable air suspension — perhaps not a big surprise, given that it is a premium SUV from Porsche.

Porsche is still very secretive of its new electric SUV, so Edmunds was mum on many of the details, and the publication was not permitted to take the car on its usual mix of 60% city driving and 40% highway driving. Instead, the test was conducted entirely on a long, straight highway in basically ideal conditions (a warm, windless day).

The result of the test was rather impressive, with the Macan EV managing 297.9 miles with 7% battery capacity still in the tank, so to speak. Looking at the vehicle's trim meter gives some more context to the test. Over the nearly-five-hour test, the Porsche Macan EV averaged 61 mph and consumed 30.6 kWh/100 miles.

Comparing the Porsche Macan EV's 3.26 mi/kWh efficiency result to the results of InsideEVs's real-world range test results (which were conducted at 70 mph), the Macan comes out ahead of the 2022 Mercedes EQS 450+'s 3.67 mi/kWh and even nearly matching the 2021 Tesla Model S Plaid's 3.3 mi/kWh. That said, it's not quite a top performer, with vehicles like the Tesla Model 3 AWD outmatching the Porsche Macan with 4.5 mi/kWh. 

Edmunds confirmed that the Porsche Macan has a 100 kWh battery, which is the largest of any Porsche EV to date, and Porsche claims that the Macan's battery is lighter than the biggest 93 kWh pack from the Taycan family. This improved energy density could be one explanation for why the new unreleased Taycan refresh performed so well in a recent test around the Nürburgring raceway.

It remains to be seen what the EPA rating for the Macan EV will be, and more rigorous third-party testing will almost surely be even more interesting. Nevertheless, this first preview leaves a solid impression of the EV.

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