A new petrol and hybrid-powered SUV is being considered by Porsche, the brand which epitomises high performance sports cars and SUVs. It is a surprising move after the company had initially planned to have the entire lineup EV oriented by 2030. Porsche is rumoured to be working on an SUV that would slot below both the Macan and Cayenne, and the launch of which is expected at the end of the decade, a recent report from Drive states.
It is a way for Porsche to reverse course from the brand’s previous all-electric ambitions, but potentially also a sign of the flexibility of a brand willing to change course with the market. What this could mean for Porsche and the SUV segment is laid bare here.
Porsche’s Electrification Goals – No Longer On Course ?
In this regard, Porsche has been pushing for an electric future for many years and sees a large share of BEVs accounting for 80 percent of its total sales by 2030. In concert with this were the introduction of the all-electric Macan, in 2023, which was a great example of this. Likewise, the new Cayenne is being engineered as an electric only, cementing the company’s commitment to sustainability and technological advancement.
But Porsche seems to be changing its approach now. Initially meant to be a vehicle with only electric powertrains for some segments, the brand is assessing the possibility of a new SUV offering petrol and hybrid powertrains. This SUV, according to rumours, will be placed below the Macan and Cayenne, and could be a sibling to the Audi Q5, which also shares the same platform.
The Potential New SUV: What We Know So Far
Porsche has not yet officially confirmed its new SUV will go into production, but it is believed to be a smaller version of the SUV to be offered alongside existing models. While other Macan SUVs will use the all electric version of the excellent Audi Q5, the new high sitting SUV utilises the PPC (Premum Platform Combustion) the same platform as the Q5. That’s quite unlike the Macan EV that rides on Premium Platform Electric (PPE), which shares an underpinning with the Audi Q6 e-tron.
If Porsche wants to push the model forward, it could be released as a less expensive entry level SUV, as the company would be able to increase its customers’ reach to those who aren’t yet ready to switch to an all electric vehicle.
The move fits with the plan of Porsche to be able to offer different powertrains where possible. Unlike the specific EV focus of the Macan, Porsche has also offered Cayenne buyers with options for a hybrid and combustion engine to cater to preferences and infrastructure ready.
Why Is Porsche Considering This Change?
Perhaps there are a number of reasons why Porsche is studying a petrol and hybrid SUV:
- Market Demand and Customer Preferences
EV adoption has been growing but some markets remain reluctant to switch to the new ways. Infrastructure problems, range anxiety and high EV costs represent opportunities still out of reach for many potential buyers. Porsche by doing so can bring in petrol and hybrid SUV, this attracting a broader audience in areas with unestablished EV infrastructure.
- Performance and Driving Experience
That is what Porsche is known and built on, performance and driving dynamics. The electric vehicle may provide instant torque but there are those traditional enthusiasts who opt for the sound and feel of an internal combustion engine. Preserving these characteristics, a petrol or hybrid powered SUV would attract loyal Porsche customers not yet ready for full electrification.
- Regulatory and Economic Considerations
Different countries use government regulations on emissions and sustainability targets. Some regions are going as canvassing as they are able to force EV mandates onto others, others are taking a step by step method. As these regulations are different around the world, Porsche having a mix of powertrains positions them to be able to adapt to those regulations and to also avoid having any market limitations.
What About the All-Electric Macan?
The development, however, is one of the key questions when it comes to whether Porsche will create a petrol powered version of the Macan. But Porsche executives have also made clear that the Macan will stick as electric only. Any future mid-size SUV with an internal combustion engine will be named with a different nameplate, instead.
Porsche made this point in its latest claim.
“You can do with an electric Macan… everything’s better than the combustion [predecessor], and we [made the decision]. This was developed [as an] electric car from scratch, of course. We don’t see the necessity for [electric and petrol power].”
This means that even though Porsche is willing to have combustion powered SUVs it has no intention of backing down from the decision to make the Macan EV.
