- Porsche may launch a new generation of the gas Macan
- Electric Macan sales are off to a good start but long-term performance is uncertain
- Porsche sees continued high demand for gas engines in luxury segments
The slowing growth in demand for electric vehicles may result in Porsche reversing its decision to offer its second-generation Macan exclusively with batteries.
Citing anonymous sources, Autocar reported on Thursday that Porsche is considering a new generation of the gas Macan as a possible scenario.
Another possibility could be modifying the electric Macan to fit a hybrid powertrain, possibly a series plug-in hybrid setup where a gas engine would act as a generator to boost range. Fellow Volkswagen Group brand Scout plans just such a setup for its upcoming Terra pickup truck and Traveler SUV, and so far the hybrid is proving more popular than the pure electric powertrain.
“The reception to the new Macan has been positive, but we are yet to see its long-term performance, given uncertain market conditions,” the source is quoted as saying.
2024 Porsche Macan Electric Turbo
The electric Macan started deliveries last fall and managed 18,278 units to end 2024. Deliveries of the gas Macan last year totaled 64,517 units. The combined total of 82,795 units was down about 5% on 2023’s result.
Porsche is experiencing sharply falling demand for its debut EV, the Taycan. Porsche delivered just 20,836 Taycans in 2024, which is a 49% drop on 2023’s result. However, part of the reason for the slowdown can be attributed to buyers waiting for the refreshed Taycan that was unveiled last year.
It wasn’t long ago that Porsche targeted 80% of sales to be EVs by 2030, but the slowdown in growth for EV demand caused the automaker to abandon that target last summer. Instead, the automaker now plans to continue offering gas engines well into the next decade, including V-8s.
2025 Porsche Taycan Turbo GT Weissach package
The current gas Macan still sells alongside the electric Macan in some markets, including the U.S., but its production is expected to wind up by next year. While the jury is still out on a potential future gas Macan, Porsche last summer already confirmed that the current gas Cayenne would remain on sale past 2030, with additional updates along the way to keep it fresh. An electric Cayenne is also due around 2026.
The Panamera, which was just redesigned, is also another likely candidate to remain on sale next decade. And Porsche’s 911 will likely also continue to offer a gas engine in the next decade.
