Voltage Converter: Porsche's first electric Crossover in Israel

Globally, after a decade-long tenure of the model, the Macan is considered a resounding success for Porsche, with about 800,000 units sold. In Israel, where it has been marketed since 2014, it hasn’t generated much hysteria. In its most successful years, 2017 and 2023, about 50 units were sold per year. For comparison, the larger and pricier Cayenne sold about 70 units in its best years.

The new generation is entirely electric, as mentioned, and is built on a completely new platform called PPE, shared with the Audi Q6 and A6 and other future models from the Volkswagen group (Porsche's parent company). The dimensions have all increased, adding 6 cm in length for a total of 4.78 meters, with a width of 1.95 meters and a wheelbase that has been extended by 8.5 cm to 289 cm. The trunk has also grown and will now have a volume of 540 liters in the rear, along with a front trunk volume of 84 liters.

The passenger compartment of the electric Macan resembles other Porsche models from recent years. This means a reduction in the physical buttons that were scattered across the central console, while still maintaining physical operation of the climate control and audio controls. As is customary in Porsche, the options for equipment and choices are vast, but at the basic level, you will find a 12.6-inch digital instrument panel, a 10.9-inch multimedia system based on Android, leather upholstery, a charging pad, an electric trunk lid, electric seat adjustments, and more. Among the optional features are a head-up display on the windshield that includes augmented reality, a 10.9-inch screen located in front of the passenger, and other design and personal style options. Safety systems include adaptive cruise control, autonomous braking, blind spot detection with door opening alerts for passing vehicles, and lane departure correction.

The Macan EV will arrive in Israel in four versions distinguished by power, drive, range, and of course, price. What they all share is the use of the same 800-volt system, which allows for charging at a rate of up to 270 kilowatts. This means recharging the battery from 10% to 80% in about 21 minutes (although very few public chargers in Israel support such rates). Equally impressive is the regenerative braking system, which can generate up to 240 kilowatts depending on driving conditions, battery status, and the pressure applied to the brakes. According to Porsche, 98% of the energy potential in braking can be reused, as opposed to the normal situation where braking energy (kinetic) is converted to heat through friction. All versions also share the same 100 kWh battery. It should be noted that all these ranges refer to the standard tire and wheel configurations. As is customary with electric vehicles, any change in tire width and wheel diameter impacts the range.

At the base of the offering will be the Macan EV with a single rear motor providing 360 hp and 57.4 kgm of torque. The acceleration to 100 km/h takes 5.7 seconds with a top speed of 220 km/h. The declared range is 641 km.

Above it, the Macan 4 adds another motor for all-wheel drive. The power increases to 408 hp, with torque rising to 66 kgm. Acceleration shortens to 5.2 seconds, and the top speed remains unchanged at 220 km/h. The range decreases to 613 km.

Next in line is the 4S, which also has all-wheel drive but the S in Porsche designates a slightly warmer version. Indeed, here it offers 516 hp and 86.6 kgm of torque. Acceleration drops to 4.1 seconds, and the top speed is 240 km/h. Despite the increase in power, the range itself is hardly affected—606 km. While the base versions use standard dampers and springs, the 4S features adaptive dampers.

At the top of the offering is the Macan EV Turbo. Yes, we know it’s quite amusing to put the word "Turbo" in a car where the closest thing to a turbocharger action is the air conditioning compressor, but in Porsche's electric lineup, this designation simply indicates the most powerful models available. Here, it boasts 639 hp and an impressive torque figure of 115 kgm. It accelerates to 100 km/h in 3.3 seconds, with a top speed of 260 km/h. The range decreases to 590 km. This vehicle comes with air suspension, rear steering for improved turning capability, and a limited-slip differential at the rear. These features come standard here and are available as options on other models.

Initially, the 4 and top Turbo versions will be marketed in Israel, while the base and 4S versions will join later. Prices for the Macan EV start at NIS 635,000 for the base version, rising to NIS 665,000 for the Macan NIS 4,795,000 for the 4S, and the Turbo at the top of the range will cost NIS 930,000. Thus, as in the past, even before BMW has introduced its electric competitor, the new iX3, and Mercedes is yet to respond with a new generation of the EQC, it is expected to remain the right-hand marker in its category in this regard.