New modular EV platform Volkswagen Group: PPE in detail

It is equally well known that Audi and Porsche have joined forces to develop a new modular EV platform that will serve as the basis for higher-ranking Volkswagen Group models. You won’t see a Volkswagen Golf on that PPE baptized platform, but the electric Porsche Macan and the Audi A6 e-tron and Q6 e-tron will in any case get this new hardware. Thanks to the 800V structure, the PPE platform enables high charging speeds, but the Premium Platform Electric offers more.

Like any modular base, the PPE technique can be moved around considerably. Among other things, the wheelbase, track width and ride height are variable. The ‘premium cousin’ of the well-known MEB base can therefore be used for low EVs such as sedans and station wagons, but also for higher models such as SUVs and crossovers. In all kinds of formats and in different segments.

Our digital preview of the electric Porsche Macan.

Porsche has already indicated that PPE technology will make the upcoming electric Macan the sportiest SUV in its segment. Practice will show whether that is more than a nice sales pitch, but in terms of power, the PPE models do not seem to be short of anything. Initially, the PPE base accommodates models with powers of up to 612 hp and 1,000 Nm. This means that it cannot be ruled out that even more powerful powertrains can be combined with PPE at a later stage. In addition, Porsche is already talking about what it calls the ‘Performance rear axle’, a rear axle with a fully variable electrically controlled differential that will at least have a place among the most powerful Macan flavors. These top versions also get Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus as standard.

Although the electric Macan has four-wheel drive, the electric motor that drives the rear wheels and is located behind the rear axle takes the main role. The placement of the electric motor gives the electric Macan a weight distribution of 48:52 (front:rear). According to Porsche, this, together with a steering rear axle – such as the Taycan has – is the recipe for a dynamic EV. Regardless of whether you choose steel springs or air suspension, the Macan EV has an active adaptive chassis and stands up to 22-inch light metal. Also striking: unlike the Taycan, which has a two-speed gearbox, the Macan EV is complete single gear.

Fast loading

The electric Porsche Macan offers up to 100 kWh of electric lung capacity. Those kWhs can be quickly replenished thanks to the 800V architecture. According to Porsche, the electric Macan – and cars such as the already mentioned Audi A6 e-tron and Q6 e-tron – can fast charge faster than the Taycan. As an indication: the maximum charging capacity of the Taycan is 270 kW. The battery pack should be able to be charged from 5 to 80 percent in 25 minutes. Thanks to its brand new hardware, the electric Macan should be more efficient than the Taycan and even offer a greater range.

It is not surprising that Porsche and Audi are investing heavily on the jointly developed platform. After all, Audi will only introduce new electric models from 2026 and Porsche is aiming for half of the model range to have an electric powertrain by 2025. By 2030, even 80 percent must be an EV. Are you charging the Macan at a station that uses 400V voltage? Even then PPE does its best to speed up charging by splitting the battery pack into two 400V parts that are simultaneously filled with current. To reduce the space required for charging hardware, Porsche has housed the AC on-board charger, heater and DC/DC converter in one module.

The electric Porsche Macan was initially expected to be launched in 2023, but has been pushed back to 2024. You can bet that part of what you read about the Macan above will soon also apply to other models of the Volkswagen Group that are on the PPE. become base.