I was among a few journalists that Porsche recently invited to its production plant in Leipzig, Germany, to walk around the new Panamera and get a taste of what we can expect from the upcoming Macan — the first of its kind to be introduced for 2018. EV appearance only.
Although it was only revealed today in the form of a closely-hidden prototype, we’ve learned that this powerful, high-performance SUV will be underpinned by the latest premium electric architecture (co-developed with Audi), and is powered by incredibly enthusiastic synchronous electric motors. permanent. (PSM) and features 800V fast charging technology.
All models will receive lithium-ion batteries in the lower part of the car with a total capacity of around 100 kWh, while the more premium Macan electric cars will generate around 450 kW (603 hp in old money) and more than 1,000 Nm of torque.
Ignore the obvious lack of harsh engine note for a moment, and trust me when I say it will be ridiculously fast, ridiculously capable off-road and embody everything Porsche stands for when it comes to handling and performance. This was confirmed by the race driver who rearranged my internal organs on the Porsche test track.
But inside the new Macan there have been some bigger, and perhaps more unknown, changes.
Ultra-fast foundations
Like the upcoming Panamera and Taycan, the Macan EV will get a fully digital, independent 12.6-inch curved screen that takes care of important car information. Besides this, there is a 10.9-inch HD touchscreen for the infotainment system and an option to allow the front passenger to enjoy an additional 10.9-inch touchscreen.
Thanks to the special film covering the aforementioned screen, it is possible for the front passenger to immerse himself in box sets and update social channels without distracting the driver.
“The biggest change for us is how quickly this new system responds,” Myriam Mohamed, Macan’s digital project manager, told me during the event.
“The entire system is powered by new Qualcomm processors, allowing the system to respond quickly, while we have greatly improved the effectiveness of our voice assistant,” she adds.
This was clearly demonstrated when Mohamed asked her colleague Joan Bieber to start chatting in the background, while giving her a set of voice commands, “Hey Porsche.”
The new dual-microphone system was not only able to identify who was issuing important instructions, display seat recognition visually on the center display and indicate interaction via 56 flashing LEDs running across the instrument panel, but it also processed those instructions quickly.
“The voice assistant can now handle more conversational language and can handle more specific requests, such as finding a charging port from a specific supplier,” Mohamed adds.
Furthermore, this new, fast-paced system was put into effect when calculating complex theoretical routes across Europe, taking into account multiple charging stations on the way. Even the longest journeys take just a few seconds to process and display, with the ability to quickly send pre-programmed routes from the Porsche smartphone app when not in the car.
Android ups the ante
Porsche has turned to Android Automotive to provide the operating system that underpins its latest infotainment offering, and this opens up the ability for owners to take advantage of an extensive app store, rather than relying on something Porsche has developed and curated.
The system is just as quick, turning on in the background as soon as the driver approaches the key, meaning it is ready for use almost immediately. There’s a new Porsche Apps Center to keep the car updated over the air, but it also offers a comprehensive list of entertainment options.
Similar to the display found in a Tesla, Porsche owners can play Beach buggy racingYou can stream from platforms such as YouTube and DAZN, as well as enjoy many music streaming apps and podcasts either from the main infotainment screen, or via the optional passenger screen.
Furthermore, Cisco WebEx can be harnessed to join conference calls. Myriam Mohamed confirmed that it is just voice calls at the moment, but Porsche is looking into the possibility of adding a camera so that users can join video calls when the car is parked.
When asked about the available apps, Mohamed stated that these apps will be limited to those approved for use by the Android Automotive operating system (not to be confused with Android Auto) in the Google Play Store, but Porsche will not be curating the list, opening up a much wider range of entertainment possibilities. And tools on the go.
But in order to ensure the system remains fast and accurate, even if the owner rushes to download apps, Mohamed said Porsche’s software engineers have built a method that automatically closes unused apps, rather than running them in the background and risking slowdowns. Below the entire setup.
iPhone and augmented reality
We reported earlier this year that Porsche was one of the only manufacturers to develop Apple CarPlay using the company’s Automaker Kit, citing the fact that internal research revealed that the vast majority of Porsche buyers own an iPhone.
This theme will continue in the Macan EV, where iOS users will be able to do more from within the Apple CarPlay ecosystem. “When using Apple CarPlay, Apple Map is displayed in the instrument cluster, as is Google Maps in Android Auto,” says Porsche.
But that’s just the tip of the infotainment iceberg, as many of the car’s functions can be accessed from the CarPlay main menu, so drivers can adjust the radio or interact with the air conditioning without leaving the CarPlay screen.
It will be alongside the display of Porsche’s own app, without having to switch between the two systems… and this includes the ability to harness Siri, Google Assistant, or Porsche’s own voice assistant.
If that’s not enough digital real estate, Porsche will also sell potential customers an optional head-up display unit that appears on the windshield in front of the driver. The company claims that it is visible at a distance of 10 meters and is compatible with an 87-inch screen size, making it one of the largest screens currently available on the market.
But for the first time, this will use colorful augmented reality content that blends in with the real outside world.
Porsche demonstrated some scenarios in which this could come into play, such as displaying turn arrows in the correct lane and adaptively showing the distance from the car in front using red “carpet” markings when using cruise control.
It draws information from the satellite navigation system, as well as any environmental data and the vehicle’s location via numerous sensors to provide accurate augmented reality imaging.
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The new Porsche Macan has arrived and it’s ready to take on the competition. This Android-powered electric car is set to challenge the dominance of Tesla with its sleek design, advanced technology, and impressive performance. Inside the Macan, drivers will find a luxurious and futuristic cabin that combines cutting-edge features with the comfort and sophistication that Porsche is known for. With its all-electric powertrain and innovative Android-based operating system, the Macan is aiming to shake up the electric vehicle market and prove that Porsche is at the forefront of automotive innovation.