2022 Porsche Macan EV revealed?

November 14, 2020November 23, 2020 John Carey 3707 Views

Though titled ‘Porsche Unseen’, a just-released photo gallery from the German SUV and sports car manufacturer apparently reveals a full-size clay model of the Macan EV, still around a year away from production.

The images were posted by Porsche’s media department to promote a planned 2021 exhibition in its museum of 15 concept cars designed between 2005 and 2019. None of them were never shown in public.

But there was a hidden extra in the background of one image of the 919 Street, a 2017 design proposal for a roadgoing version of Porsche’s hybrid Le Mans race car.

Porsche 919 Street concept with a clay model in the background believed to be the upcoming Porsche Macan electric vehicle — Porsche 919 Street concept with a clay model in the background believed to be the Macan EV

Behind it was another full-size clay model… and it appears to be the Macan EV. Porsche quickly deleted this shot from the photo set, but it was too late.

Until now the only sightings of Porsche’s second production EV have been spy shots of disguised development prototypes. Porsche is expected to adopt technology from the brilliant Taycan, which went into production last year, for the Macan EV.

The SUV will be built on VW Group’s upmarket Premium Platform Electric, an evolution of the foundation used for Taycan. Within the VW Group, the PPE will be available only to Porsche and Audi.

As in the Taycan, expect to see fast-charging, high-energy 800-volt battery packs, along with dual-motor all-wheel-drive and single-motor rear-wheel-drive powertrains.

Porsche also plans to repeat the same marketing strategy with the Macan EV as with the Taycan. It will launch the most powerful dual-motor versions first, then add less expensive models with smaller battery packs and less powerful motors. The line-up will be completed by a single-motor rear-drive model that will be the least costly.

Just as the Taycan and Panamera are sold side-by-side in Porsche showrooms – both are big, fast, sporty and luxurious hatchbacks – the current Macan range will remain in production for at least a couple of years after the arrival of the EV version.

Technically, the two Macans will have little in common, and there also will be difference in appearance. The clay model accidentally revealed by Porsche has a lower nose, smaller air intakes and slimmer headlights than the current model. It also appears to be a little lower and more aerodynamic.

Among the concept cars Porsche did intend to highlight with its photo gallery was a full-size clay model of a rather unusual EV. The Vision Renndienst from 2018 takes a good shot at giving a practical van a distinctively Porsche look.

Porsche Vision Renndienst concept EV from 2018

It’s a six-seater with a central driver’s seat, apparently intended as quiet, quick and classy transport for race team members. ‘Renndienst’ translates as ‘Racing Service’.

John Carey

Grew up in country NSW, way back when petrol was laced with lead. Has written about cars and the car business for more than 35 years, working full-time and freelance for leading mags, major newspapers and websites in Australia and (sometimes) overseas. Avidly interested in core EV technologies like motors and batteries, and believes the switch to electromobility definitely should be encouraged. Is waiting patiently for someone to make a good and affordable EV that will fit inside his tiny underground garage in northern Italy, where he's lived for the past decade. Likes the BMW i3, but it's just too damned wide...