New Porsche Macan petrol under consideration amid EV sales slump

The new-gen model could be based on the new Audi Q5, would sit alongside the Macan EV.

Published On Jan 21, 2025 01:00:00 PM

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Current Porsche Macan GTS, which comes with a 440hp, 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine, used for representation only.

Porsche is considering reversing its decision to make the second-generation Macan SUV exclusively electric. The Macan EV was revealed in January last year as the brand’s second EV after the Taycan, with plans for the smaller SUV to go all-electric. The current petrol Macan was discontinued in the EU in April, but markets like the UK and India will have the ICE version for a little longer.

Porsche's global sales declined 7 percent; Taycan sales dropped 50 percent
ICE models will remain critical to the brand for a longer period
The new-gen Macan petrol could share the PPC platform with the third-gen Audi Q5

Porsche EV sales targets revised

Porsche insiders have told our sister publication Autocar UK that bosses are reconsidering the decision to move the Macan, the company’s bestseller, away from ICE power, following a 7 percent decline in Porsche sales globally. The drop has been largely driven by a 50 percent drop in Taycan sales – making it Porsche’s worst-performing model of 2024 – amid a wider stalling of interest in EVs. As such, Porsche has significantly scaled back Taycan production. Reports even suggest that it could be withdrawn from the main plant in Stuttgart, putting thousands of jobs at risk.

Deputy chairman and chief financial officer Lutz Meschke has confirmed that ICE models will remain a critical part of Porsche’s line-up for longer than previously anticipated. Initially, Porsche aimed for EVs to account for 80 percent of its global sales by 2030, but this target has since been reframed to “depend on customer demand”.

Porsche India sold 259 Macans in 2024.

“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 Meschke. “Conceptual decisions are being made, but what is clear is that we are committed to the combustion engine for much longer.”

While the brand confirmed the Cayenne would continue in ICE and EV forms, sources within Porsche suggest that a new ICE Macan is being reconsidered as part of a “range of product scenarios”. “The reception to the new Macan [Electric] has been positive, but we are yet to see its long-term performance, given uncertain market conditions,” said a senior Porsche insider. “The downturn in Taycan sales highlights new market dynamics. We cannot rely solely on traditional assumptions about consumer behaviour.”

Porsche Macan sales and petrol future

The ICE Macan has been an important product for Porsche, accounting for around 5 lakh sales over its 10-year lifespan. The SUV was also successful in China, where Porsche’s sales dropped by almost 30 percent in 2024. Despite the uncertain market conditions globally, Porsche’s profit margin remains strong, hitting 14.1 percent in the first three quarters of 2024, with an operating profit of GBP 3.35 billion (about Rs 35,545 crore) from revenues of GBP 23.7 billion (about Rs 2.5 lakh crore).

If Porsche decides to introduce a new petrol-powered Macan, it will likely share its PPC (Premium Platform Combustion) architecture with the India-bound third-gen Audi Q5. The decision to re-evaluate its EV future lines up with market trends in China, the world’s largest car and EV market. Many manufacturers there are launching plug-in hybrid or range-extender models alongside EVs to cater to a wider audience.

The Macan EV (pictured) and the ICE version will likely be sold side-by-side.

Porsche’s electrification plans continue to face significant challenges. In addition to heavy cuts in Taycan production, the electric 718 Boxster and Cayman sports cars – initially scheduled for 2025 – face delays due to supply chain issues with battery supplier Northvolt, which recently filed for bankruptcy.

In India, Porsche's smaller e-SUV is on sale in the Macan Electric (Rs 1.22 crore), Macan 4S Electric (Rs 1.39 crore), and Turbo Electric (Rs 1.69 crore) variants. The petrol models come in Macan (Rs 96.05 lakh), Macan S (Rs 1.45 crore), and Macan GTS (Rs 1.53 crore) forms. The performance brand recently announced that sales in India crossed 1,000 units for the first time, with the Macan contributing 259 units to Porsche’s total sales of 1,006 units in 2024.

All prices, ex-showroom, India.

Also see:

Porsche Macan EV review: The best handling electric SUV?

Porsche Macan EV, Taycan facelift walkaround video: Auto Expo 2025

Porsche Macan EV RWD launched at Rs 1.23 crore