The Macan EV is the latest step in the evolution of Porsche’s lineup, being the first vehicle of the brand to be released that is totally transitioning from petrol to battery power. This transition is not just about electrification, however, as it also marks the first time that technology from Porsche’s Formula E program has been evolved and integrated back into a road car. By leveraging the higher investment in rapid technology development from Porsche’s legendary motorsports division, they aim to enhance the Macan EV’s overall performance, handling, and efficiency/range using the latest and greatest tested out on the racetrack.
From ICE To Electric Using Formula E Tech
Since its debut, the Macan has been a gigantic success in the CUV market. With the introduction of the Macan EV, Porsche decided to completely skip the hybrid stage, directly transitioning from combustion engines to full electrification. This shift might be shocking to some, however it is in line with their adherence to the unofficial “Green Promise” of making at least 80% of their model lineup EV by 2030, in line with what the VW Group and Audi have also committed to. As well, the Cayenne, Porsche’s overall best seller, is where the hybrid stage will be introduced before the SUV transitions to full EV as well by 2030.
The new Macan EV in this case can be seen as a “Showcase” vehicle, with several next-generation design updates while also staying true to Porsche’s overall aesthetics. It features a reworked, sleek, aerodynamic body with pronounced fenders bulges and a classic silhouette, the long hood with the coupe like cabin tapering down to the tail. This design is a bit more 911 than the previous Macan generation, but it still keeps the headroom, comfort, and luxury of that the CUV has been associated with intact, while also making it much more aerodynamically efficient, something important for battery powered vehicles.
This is helped by bringing over several key components and technologies from Formula E. Porsche has been part of the championship since 2019, coming in halfway through the Gen 2 series. They rapidly and quickly became a contender in the series, so much so that when the Gen 3 cars were being developed and tested, Porsche was a primary partner, testing regenerative braking and cooling solutions. Through the development of the Gen 3 car, Stuttgart also improved the 800-Volt network within the car for much more rapid and efficient charging, as well as compartmentalized and shrunk many components to fit into one complete unit for more effective cooling and power delivery. All of these evolutions and innovations, and more, have made it back over to the Macan EV.
Powertrain & Efficiency
One of the most significant technological transfers from Porsche’s Formula E team to the Macan EV is the 800-Volt electrical architecture. Initially developed for the Taycan, it has been refined and evolved through Formula E, enabling faster charging and much more efficient power delivery compared to the original Taycan. It should also be noted that the next generation Taycan also uses this updated 800-Volt system. Because of transferring the tech back over from motorsports to the road, the Macan EV, on a level 3 charger, can achieve up to 60 miles of range in just four minutes. This rapid charging capability is crucial for bringing EVs closer to ICE powered vehicles for reducing overall downtime while “filling up the tank.” It is also important for decreasing time spent still on long distance travel in an EV, as range anxiety is still one of the key issues that the EV industry faces.
The Integrated Power Box (IPB) is one of the biggest bits of the Formula E car brought over to the road. It combines the on-board AC charger, high-voltage heater, and DC/DC converter into a single compact unit, and has a dedicated cooling system that is both air and liquid to keep the entire unit cool. This integration saves both weight and space, contributing to the Macan EV’s overall efficiency and performance. The compact design of the IPB also highlights how Porsche have always been at the forefront of motorsports, as the 919 Hybrid packed the battery, regenerative charging system, external charging system, and a whole slew of other technology into a single compact unit that sat next to the driver in the center of balance of the race car.
Battery & Regenerative Braking
The Macan EV is equipped with a 100 kWh battery pack composed of prismatic cells. These cells are enclosed in rigid, rectangular casings, giving them very high energy density as well as improving safety, as EV fires have become a point of concern to many regulatory bodies. The battery’s design and construction benefit directly from the rigorous safety demands of Formula E, as
Regenerative braking is another key technology borrowed from the racetrack and the Taycan. The Macan EV can recuperate up to 240 kW of power through its regenerative braking system depending on what driving mode it is set to, which can significantly enhance its range and efficiency. This system is considered next-gen to the one that was released with the original Taycan, although the newer second gen Taycan’s have the exact same system, albeit oriented towards the smaller dimensions and weight of that car.
Chassis & Suspension
The Macan EV’s chassis and suspension systems also benefit from Porsche’s Formula E experience. Built on the Volkswagen Group’s Premium Platform Electric (PPE), developed jointly by Porsche and Audi, the Macan EV features an architecture designed specifically for high end performance electric SUVs. This platform provides a low center of gravity and very good torsional rigidity, which anyone that has driven any Porsche of any recent generation has felt. The Macan EV just corners flat, filled with confidence and feedback to tell you what the tires are doing.
For the first time in the Macan lineup, the EV model includes optional rear-axle steering. This system, which allows the rear wheels to turn up to five degrees, helps improve low-speed maneuverability and stability at high speeds. The rear-axle steering, combined with the two-valve damper technology in the Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) system, offers a broad range of damping characteristics, again depending on what driving mode the Macan is in. These features are directly influenced by the advanced suspension on Porsche’s Formula E Gen3 car, although the ones on the race car are designed to lift the car when it’s time to roll it on or off its transport trailer, and the actual suspension setup for each track is manually adjusted.
Performance & Driving Dynamics
Porsche’s dedication to performance is evident in the Macan EV’s all-wheel-drive system, managed by Porsche Traction Management (ePTM). This system operates five times faster than conventional all-wheel-drive systems, responding to wheel slip within 10 milliseconds. The ePTM’s rapid response and precise control are crucial for maintaining traction and stability, especially in adverse driving conditions. While Formula E cars don’t have traction control as such, the data gathered by the driveline systems for the rear wheels on the Gen 3 race car was used to improve the response of the system in the CUV, to the point it will react faster than a human can even think about lifting their foot off the throttle to reduce slip.
The Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus) system, which includes an electronically controlled differential lock on the rear axle, further enhances the Macan EV’s driving dynamics. By distributing torque selectively to individual wheels, PTV Plus improves traction, cornering performance, and driving stability across a wide variety of surfaces and driving situations. These systems, much like ePTM, were enhanced with data gathered from both the Gen 2 and Gen 3 Formula E cars, as well as development done on the original Taycan. The result is that the Macan EV can corner very much like a sports car, despite it’s significant weight and ground clearance.
Aerodynamics & Design
Aerodynamic efficiency is a critical aspect of both race cars and road cars. The Macan EV incorporates the Porsche Active Aerodynamics (PAA) system, which has active and passive elements that reduce drag to directly improve efficiency. The adaptive rear spoiler, active cooling flaps, and flexible covers on the underbody are all designed to optimize airflow, reducing resistance and enhancing performance. While the Formula E car doesn’t have active aero, thousands of hours of wind tunnel testing across all the teams participating sharing their data with each other (as Formula E is a spec-chassis series) has led to massive improvements in aero efficiency for all the manufacturers participating in the championship.
The Macan EV’s design is not just about aesthetics either, as it plays a vital role in its performance. The low-slung front end, air curtains below the headlights, and a louvered diffuser at the rear all contribute to its aerodynamic profile as well as active and passive cooling systems. While electric power does have a higher thermal variance range it can sustain over a combustion engine, the less stress placed on the components as well as getting enough cooling air over the components without adding drag is something learned from Porsche helping design the Gen 3 F-E car as one of the primary development partners. Basically, they took what they learned from the motorsports division and, as usual, slapped it directly into a road-bound vehicle.
Bringing It All Together
The Porsche Macan EV is another example of how motorsport technology can enhance consumer vehicles from the engineers and designers at the Motorports Division in Stuttgart. By leveraging advancements, technologies, research, development, and data from its Formula E program, they has created an electric CUV that delivers on all of the key Porsche metrics: Performance, efficiency, and driving pleasure.
By combining next-gen tech and Porsche’s deep focus on the driving experience, the Macan EV is one of the best vehicles in years for the EV market for those that want something dynamic and fun. The upcoming 718 Cayman and Boxter EV’s will also benefit from Formula E in much the same way that the Macan has, and we’re looking forward to see what else might come across from racing to the road once more for Porsche.
