Porsche introduces rear-drive Macan EV to UK

Up to 398 WLTP miles and less than £70k for new entry point to electric Macan range

By Matt Bird / Tuesday, 16 July 2024 / Loading comments

It’s a busy, busy time for electrified Porsches of all shapes and sizes. The new T-Hybrid 911 GTS has shown just how beneficial hybridisation can be for sports cars, while the latest Taycan now goes further and faster than ever before. It was far from shoddy in both disciplines beforehand. Now the new electric Macan range has been bolstered with what’s likely to be the two biggest sellers: the Macan 4S, and plain ready salted Macan.

It’s the latter that’s probably of most interest, the rear-drive model that promises the maximum range and efficiency from the battery powered SUV. Broadly speaking it appears to be a two-wheel drive Macan 4, using that car’s 340hp rear-axle motor (supplied by a 100kWh battery) without any drive going to the front. Maximum torque is 415lb ft, and a 360hp overboost will see 62mph come up in 5.7 seconds. Top speed is 137mph for the Macan - it’s likely going to feel fast enough. It’s also said to be 110kg lighter than a 4, which makes it 2,220kg by our maths. Probably of more interest is going to be the 398 miles of WLTP range that’s claimed (up from 380 in a 4), along with the option of a new Slate Grey Neo paint that’s available on all models. Because nothing gets new car buyers more excited, it would seem, than another grey to choose from. More interesting still (because it seems very unlikely to be specced) is an off-road design package for all Macans, which increases ground clearance and the approach angle (the latter thanks to a modified bumper, which is also there as a standalone option). 17.4 degrees and 195mm is hardly going to have Land Cruisers quaking in their beadlocks, but it’s something.

Certainly looks cool, and that’ll count for a lot, seen here on an Oak Green Metallic Neo version of the new Macan 4S. It slots into the range between the 408hp 4 and 639hp Turbo, offering up 516hp on overboost (448hp normally) and 605lb ft for 4.1 seconds to 62mph. Top speed is 149mph, and 376 miles is the theoretical range on a charge. As is typically the case with 4S models elsewhere in the Porsche range, the Macan gets some useful equipment as standard, including PASM, while also tempting buyers with lots of the good stuff from the Turbo; here that means means options like Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus, adaptive air suspension and rear-axle steering.

Both the new models are available to order now, priced at £67,200 for the 340hp Macan and £75,400 for the 4S. A Hyundai Ioniq 5N, currently our benchmark for performance EVs (albeit with less range than the Macans) is priced at £65,000. We’ll aim to get a go in the Porsches as soon as they’re available - you wouldn’t bet against them being two more very competitive EVs.