A Porsche employee works on a physical prototype of the all-electric Macan. (Porsche)

FRANCIACORTA, Italy -- When Porsche unveiled its first-ever all-electric model Taycan in 2019, not many expected it to become one of the brand’s bestselling models, behind only the Macan and Cayenne SUVs.

Now, as the first premium automotive manufacturer in the world to produce various plug-in hybrid models, the German sports car maker is betting big on producing powerful fully electric vehicles to offer driving dynamics and a sports car performance -- while sustainable at the same time -- based on the latest Premium Platform Electric.

“Electromobility is firmly rooted in the Porsche DNA, which dates back to 1898 when Ferdinand Porsche played a leading role in the development of the Egger-Lohner C2 Phaeton with an electric powertrain,” said Mayk Wienkotter, spokesperson for Taycan and E-Mobility.

As Porsche is picking up speed on electromobility, the carmaker believes the PPE architecture will open up opportunities to create high-volume electric models made to the highest technical standards, and to bring them to market.

PPE is co-developed for premium models by Porsche and Audi, which both fall under Volkswagen Group. A raft of new models from the carmakers, such as the Macan and Q5, are slated to use the same PPE platform.

With this new platform, by 2025 more than half of all new Porsche cars sold are expected to be electrified, either fully or as plug-in hybrids. By 2030, the sports car manufacturer aims to make more than 80 percent of its new car deliveries fully electric models.

“PPE is just one of the tools the company is deploying to fulfill this ambition. This platform will give Porsche the opportunity to profitably market high-volume models to high technical standards and thereby electrify a further important part of the portfolio,” said Antoon Nicolaas Janssen, manager for Macan production line’s powertrain.

The all-electric Macan, the brand’s first fully electric SUV, will be the first Porsche EV based on the PPE architecture.

Porsche completes its first test drives of the all-electric Macan at the Porsche development center in Weissach, Germany. (Porsche)

“With its 800-volt architecture, the powerful electric motor of the latest generation and state-of-the-art battery and charge management, this model offers the E-Performance that is characteristic of Porsche,” said Janssen.

“(Producing) high-volume models with high-tech standards, we are electrifying another important part of our portfolio.”

Benefits of this purely electric platform include not only the spaciousness for the maneuver in the wheelbase, but also the flexibility for Porsche models to retain their strong, independent character.

According to Janssen, the all-electric Macan will be the sportiest model in its segment, with the best driving range. Targeting everyday comfort and sports car performance, Porsche will adopt different sizes of tires up to 22-inch wheels for performance.

Focusing on extending travel time, Porsche will use a 100-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack, which can be charged to 80 percent capacity in just 25 minutes.

Porsche has picked LG Energy Solution’s battery for its flagship EV Taycan, so there is also a possibility the sports car maker will continue to collaborate with the Korean battery maker.

The all-electric Macan will start customer deliveries in 2024, including the Asian market and South Korea.

By Kim Da-sol

Korea Herald correspondent