Porsche Revises EV Ambitions with ICE Macan Considered

Porsche

Porsche’s plans to have its lineup 80 percent electric by the year 2030 are being reconsidered, according to a report by Autocar.

“We are exploring the possibility of equipping some of the originally planned electric models with hybrid drives or internal combustion engines in the future,” said Deputy Chairman and Chief Financial Officer Lutz Meschke. “Conceptual decisions are being made, but what is clear is that we are committed to the combustion engine for much longer.”

A drop in sales of the Taycan—Porsche’s first EV—and a slower than anticipated start for the newly-launched Macan electric has meant Porsche is set to revise its EV ambitions to “depend on customer demand.”

That customer demand–or rather a lack of it— has already seen production of the Taycan scaled back and could mean that models which were originally planned as EV-only may have to be re-engineered to offer hybrid or gas-only options.

Quoting an unnamed Porsche insider, Autocar says that the German sporting legend is now considering an internal combustion version of the Macan to sell alongside the EV. That would give buyers of Porsche’s most popular model a choice once again. Since its launch ten years ago over half a million Macans have been sold worldwide, but without an ICE model similar success is likely to prove a challenge in the current market. Even in EV-angelist China, the biggest market for electrics, carmakers are having to introduce hybrid and range-extender vehicles to satisfy a diverse range of customers.

2025 will see the delayed Boxster and Cayman EVs hit the road, but if the relatively light, agile and high-performance sports car is not enough to convince Porsche customers that electric is the answer, it could be back to the drawing board for Porsche’s two-seaters as well.

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Comments

    Porsche enthusiasts want the choice. Every time a choice is taken away the enthusiasts complain about it and when they bring back the choice the enthusiasts seem to respond very well to it’s return. Most Porsche enthusiasts I know want a combustion motor. That percentage may not be as high on the crossover stuff but it is still there. An all EV Macan is too soon. The slow rollback on EV only continues.

    Surprise? All the manufacturers are now saying out loud what they knew a few years ago: few people want an EV. There is a small segment that is not growing. It’s the same people moving from one EV to another. Two office mates got out of EVs and back into gasoline cars. Novelty is over and reality set in.

    Can you say ” I told you so” any better than this story? Or the massive scale back of Fords giant complex in west Tn? I go to Memphis on a regular basis & used to see billboard after billboard touting the coming of the Ford plant. Now I think there’s only 1-2 signs out there saying anything about the great EV god coming there.

    It’s no surprise to me. Europe is smaller and has more choices for charging and for alternative transportation, such as the superb rail system. The US still doesn’t have the infrastructure, and distances are vast in comparison. Range anxiety is real. I couldn’t go to visit my kids without a recharge or a fill up. Five minutes at a gas station, or? There are no superchargers on the route!

    We have a 2023 Macan, and even though it’s a base model, every drive in it is an event. That aside, I’ve read some things that to reengineer the Macan EV platform to accept an ICE drivetrain (and everything necessary to accompany it) will be extremely difficult if not impossible. It’s too bad that the vehicle manufacturers allowed themselves to get caught up in the EV madness.

    The gas-powered Macan was discontinued in Europe in spring 2024 due to cybersecurity regulations. It should have been kept alive elsewhere, and will hopefully come back to the U.S. I just sold my 2015 Macan S and miss it, but it hit 100,000 and the maintenance costs were not really worth keeping it. That, and I needed a larger car for a cross-country trip. Got a Q7. It’s ok.

    I don’t feel the issue is the powertrain itself. The EV powertrain is far superior for day-to-day driving, and even the traffic light grand prix.

    The issue is cost. Is Porsche (or anyone) surprised the uptake for a base, compact Macan has been softer than expected? $81k for the base US model. Add a few goodies and you are easily at $100k+. The Turbo easily cracks $130k with some upgraded wheels and a few other options.

    Again, IMO.. its not about the powertrain, its about the price.

    I feel bad for the folks in Europe who can’t buy a 718 Boxster or Cayman because of the EU’s security regulations. I’m glad that the US isn’t affected, but I don’t understand why Porsche can’t redesign the electronic systems to accommodate the security requirements.

    I’m sure there are a lot of European customers that would love to own a new, ICE 718 model.

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