two prototypes spotted in the streets of Monaco

Porsche recently said that development of its electric Macan was a year behind schedule. Cariad, the division in charge of Volkswagen Group software, is not yet ready to deliver the E3 1.2 software platform which will be used for the next generation of the German SUV. Not enough to prevent the brand from continuing to develop its model by choosing the streets of Monaco for a full-scale test.

Thanks to a video posted on YouTube by CarspotterJeroen, we discover the future electric Porsche Macan covered with thick camouflage in the heart of the Principality. A few weeks ago, a model was spotted on the Nürburgring circuit with numerous pieces of adhesive. On the front face, these stickers cover the entire front bumper, but also the contours of the lights. To conceal the shapes of the SUV, the black adhesive is also placed at the level of the doors. But the overall design is still easy to guess.

At the rear, the electric Porsche Macan takes up the style of the Cayenne coupé, with a fastback-style line. The sloping roof window falls on an active spoiler which opens in two parts. Below, pieces of adhesive hide a unique light signature.

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Well accustomed to this kind of testing in the middle of traffic, Porsche always takes care to dress its development vehicles with fake exhaust tips. For the time being, it is not known whether this is the design of the production version of the electric SUV.

Several models have already been filmed with different body parts, including two separate front bumpers. On the Macan filmed on the streets of Monaco, a wide air intake extends to the front splitter. On the Nürburgring, the SUV was equipped with a solid shield, with small openings.

A year late for the electric Porsche Macan

The Porsche Macan EV will be the first production model to use the new PPE platform (Premium Platform Electric) developed jointly by Porsche and Audi. This platform will be able to support an 800V architecture and batteries with a capacity of 100 kWh. Enough to allow fast charging up to 350 kW!

According to rumours, the power of the electric Porsche Macan should be around 640 hp in its top-of-the-range version. Figures will come from a dual motor setup (one electric motor on each axis). Other variants in propulsion architecture could also be included in the catalog.

But while the SUV was to be presented in 2023, Cariad’s delays in software development forced Porsche to postpone the official launch of the Macan EV until 2024. This subsidiary of the Volkswagen group is also disrupting the schedule of new products planned by the Stuttgart brand, including the Cayenne and 718 electric. As a reminder, Porsche aims to deliver more than 50% of electrified vehicles (rechargeable hybrids and electric) in 2025, and that 80% are exclusively electric in 2030.

If the association between the PPE architecture developed with Audi and Cariad’s E3 1.2 software structure is not finalized within the scheduled time, Porsche could become independent in the design of its software. Large investments could be put in place by the brand on the development of the E3 2.0 software architecture.