The development of the all-electric Porsche Macan focused on one thing in particular: seamless integration into everyday driving.
The process of charging the new all-electric Macan is best described as a symbiosis of user-friendliness and speed, with an unwavering focus on seamless integration of charging into everyday operation. Like the Taycan, the Macan features permanent synchronous electric motors (PSMs) and 800-volt technology, which not only contributes to high performance, but also aims to optimize charging time. "A higher voltage improves charging performance and reduces loss, while maintaining a lower weight in the vehicle," explains Tomas Gajdos, Manager of the Energy System Project for the Macan series.
The new Macan is the first Porsche to
be developed on the basis of the Premium Platform Electric (PPE)
developed in collaboration with Audi. Because the sports car reaches a
charging capacity of up to 270 kW. Under optimum conditions, its battery
can therefore be fast-charged from 10 to 80 percent in around 21
minutes.
Bank charging comes into play if the selected station
operates with 400-volt technology, with an intelligent software
effectively splitting the 800-volt battery into two batteries with the
same voltage thanks to built-in high-voltage separators. Both batteries
can then be charged at the same time with up to 135 kW at a 400-volt
charging station without additional HV booster, making the Macan
compatible with charging stations around the world and supporting that
it can be used as efficiently as possible by customers. Developed
specifically for performance and efficiency, the battery itself contains
cells that offer the optimal balance between power density, power
content, sustainability, and service life. This is further supported by
highly developed thermal management that regulates the temperature of
the battery to optimize performance. Circulation therefore provides the
necessary cooling when temperatures rise, while in colder months
high-voltage components such as the battery can be heated as required by
integrating the high-voltage heater.
“As a result, the
temperature of the battery always remains within the optimal range,
whether the vehicle is on the road or in fast-charging mode,” says
Gajdos. The Porsche Charging Planner, a function integrated into the
navigation system, can bring the battery to the optimal temperature
prior to charging, taking into account a variety of aspects such as
route profile, the vehicle’s current level of consumption, and the
expected performance of the charging stations.
The charging
process has been simplified for the driver with an intuitive operating
concept in the cockpit. The new Macan features an intelligent display
system that clearly presents information such as charging status,
remaining charging time, and the current range. “The new Battery Care
Mode aims to optimize the service life of the high-voltage battery,”
says Gajdos. “If this function is activated by the driver, the target
charge level is set to a battery-friendly 80 percent.” All of that is
complemented by the My Porsche app, which allows users to manage and
monitor the charging process remotely. With the aid of the app and the
time control integrated in the vehicle, charging processes can be
programmed to occur at night when electricity prices are lower. The
driver can also choose a time when the battery is thermally
preconditioned or a time by which the vehicle should be fully charged.
One of the most important innovative components is the Porsche
Integrated Power Box (IPB), for which Porsche has registered a patent.
It combines three components: the onboard AC charger, the high-voltage
heater, and the 12-volt DC-to-DC converter. Weighing in at just 19
kilograms, the ultracompact IPB is relatively light and is positioned
between the rear seat and the battery below to save space. “This
packaging optimizes distribution of the vehicle’s weight,” explains
Tomas Gajdos. “And it offers more space in the front of the vehicle for a
‘frunk,’ which is another luggage compartment below the hood at the
front.”
In addition to these technical features, the Macan also
boasts a charging facility that offers a high degree of flexibility both
at home and on the road. With a DC fast-charging port on the left and
two AC charging ports - one on each side of the car - charging is
possible regardless of the parking situation. The hardware itself is
designed to be robust and user-friendly. The new Macan therefore
combines convenience with fast charging.
