AutoElectric VehiclesPorsche’s upcoming Macan will be all-electric and all about the in-car techWe get a look inside next year’s drifting, dirt-plugging, Augmented Reality super SUVWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
AutoElectric VehiclesPorsche’s upcoming Macan will be all-electric and all about the in-car techWe get a look inside next year’s drifting, dirt-plugging, Augmented Reality super SUVWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
We get a look inside next year’s drifting, dirt-plugging, Augmented Reality super SUV
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Porsche)
(Image credit: Porsche)
There was an audible intake of breath when notoriously ‘schporty’brand Porsche announced that its best-sellingMacan SUVwould be goingall-electricfor its next big update. But times are changing, and even the company that ensures all of its vehicle’s interiors look eerily like the original 911 has to adapt.
(Image credit: Porsche)
(Image credit: Porsche)
We then ventured ‘off-road’ for a bit of light mud-plugging and yes, the Macan will crawl up very steep hills, wade through bodies of water and drift around loose shingle like a rally car. But we always knew the upcoming electric Macan would be good. Porsche couldn’t afford to get it wrong.
(Image credit: Porsche)
(Image credit: Porsche)
Porsche has opted to implement new Qualcomm processors to underpin the entire infotainment system, which neatly boots up as the owner approaches new Macan with the key. Speed is priority number one and this ensures the infotainment is ready to operate from the get-go.
Drivers are greeted to the same set-up found in upcomingPanameraand current Taycan, which consists of a highly customisable 12.6-inch digital display that takes care of speedometers and vehicle information, as well as a 10.9-inch HD touchscreen for infotainment purposes.
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As with your smartphone, apps are constantly added and updated, while the system will also take care of over-the-air updates for the vehicle itself. Porsche says that the system currently offers Cisco WebEx for conference voice calls, but admits it is working on adding an in-cockpit camera for video calls in the future.
Although not as in-yer-face as Tesla’s offering, it is the clostest to Musk’s tech-packed, digital-first aporoach we have seen in a long time.
(Image credit: Porsche)
(Image credit: Porsche)
Augmented Reality and rapid routing
To ensure its in-car tech matches the Macan’s super fast-charging abilities, Porsche has ensured everything about infotainment interactions is quick. It neatly demonstrated this with some hypothetical routing options.
Using “Hey Porsche” voice commands, which can now understand more conversational prompts, we were asked to throw around hypothetical road trips, many of which bordered on the ridiculous. London to Barcelona, or Munich to Lisbon were a few examples.
Every time, the system calculated several route options, factoring in charging breaks on the way, in a matter of seconds. It was impressively fast, delivering a wealth of information without the annoying lag found on many rival systems.
What’s more, it’s possible to search with strict criteria, such as only routing with a certain charging provider in mind. Alternatively, you can route via the accompanying smartphone app and quickly send it to the car.
The advanced hardware incorporated also allows for another Macan innovation - an Augmented Reality head-up display. Porsche says the HUD appears at a distance of 10m and corresponds to the size of an 87-inch display, making it one of the largest currently offered in the market.
(Image credit: Porsche)
(Image credit: Porsche)
We didn’t get to test it on the open road, but caught sight of a demonstration that revealed navigational arrows that corresponded with the correct lane, digital road markings that adapt with surroundings and a visual representation of the distance between Macan and the car ahead when using adaptive cruise control.
Its ability to pinpoint exactly where the vehicle is in relation to the road ensures this digital aid neatly blends in with the real-world ahead, offering simple graphical assistance for smoother way finding.
All-in-all, it’s a powerful digital offering, with Porsche even dedicating research hours into constantly improving theAppleCarPlay experience - something most automotive manufacturers ditched a long time ago.
In upcoming Macan,iPhoneowners will be able to do so much more from inside the Apple CarPlay ecosystem, including interacting with vehicle functionality, changing radio stations and even running Porsche’s own app offerings.
If customers can get past the lack of potent internal combustion engine and rasping exhaust notes, Porsche’s Macan EV looks set to offer something truly sensational in the EV space - a car the performs like a Porsche, but behaves like your smartphone.
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Today’s best EV Chargers deals
Wallbox Pulsar Plus$649$599.99ViewSee all pricesGowe 32A 7.2kw EV Car Charger$599ViewSee all pricesAutel Home Smart Electric Vehicle$599ViewSee all prices
Wallbox Pulsar Plus$649$599.99ViewSee all prices
Wallbox Pulsar Plus$649$599.99ViewSee all prices
Wallbox Pulsar Plus
Wallbox Pulsar Plus
$649$599.99View
$649$599.99
$599.99
See all prices
Gowe 32A 7.2kw EV Car Charger$599ViewSee all prices
Gowe 32A 7.2kw EV Car Charger$599ViewSee all prices
Gowe 32A 7.2kw EV Car Charger
Gowe 32A 7.2kw EV Car Charger
$599View
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Autel Home Smart Electric Vehicle$599ViewSee all prices
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We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
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