The electric Porsche Macan is immediately the cheapest Porsche in the Netherlands – Back to Basics

Porsche Macan 4 Electric – €88,900

It has long been known that the Dutch BPM scheme not only strongly influences the prices of individual models, but also the positioning of those models in a brand’s offering. In the Netherlands, electric or partially electric versions are often cheaper than their much less powerful petrol brothers, where the manufacturer obviously intended exactly the opposite.

This phenomenon means, for example, that the Porsche Macan costs at least €125,700 on petrol, which makes it more expensive than the much larger, much stronger and much more modern Cayenne E-Hybrid – which also has a six-cylinder. Strange world. This week the solution appeared in the form of a completely new Porsche Macan. It is always fully electric and is currently listed next to the ‘old’ Macan on the price lists, although the role of the latter in the Netherlands now seems to have almost ended. You can ‘already’ get the new Macan for 89 grand, which now makes it the most affordable Porsche in the Netherlands.

It is clear that a Macan of less than a ton will hardly occur in practice. Porsche options are expensive and numerous and most examples come with many thousands of extras, but is that also necessary in the case of the Macan? We will find out using the (provisional?) basic version, the Macan 4. It has two electric motors and 408 hp, so it is easy to live with in that respect. 0 to 100? 5.2 seconds. A Model 3 Long Range stays ahead of you, but in absolute terms you get tired of it quickly. The drivetrain is also in order, because a heat pump, for example, is standard. This contributes slightly to the driving range, which with the standard battery pack of 95 kWh net is a neat 613 kilometers.

As far as the chassis is concerned, serious updates are possible. Adaptive dampers, air suspension and rear axle steering are all at extra cost, and all expensive. Please keep this in mind when the first test is released, because the cars we drive are undoubtedly well equipped in this area. The chance that you will approach the promised range in practice is greatest with the basic version of the Macan. Porsche delivers the Macan as standard on smooth, streamlined 20-inch wheels, which with their polished surface and black-painted details certainly do not look cheap. On the outside we note a matte black frame for the side windows and ditto finish on the panel that decorates the doors. LED lighting all around is of course standard, but this does not apply to metallic paint. Anyone who wants a color other than plain white or plain black will pay extra, and that starts at €1,006. It is striking that the colorless, almost black rear light section that was optional on other Porsches is standard on the new Macan. A rear window wiper is an extra (€364, yes), but with that flat window probably not really necessary.

For €88,900 you can choose between white or black.

Burgundy belts

Although LED headlights are standard, unlike a Cayenne, this does not apply to the adaptive matrix LED. On to the inside, but not before we have unlocked the doors by pressing the key. You have to pay extra for keyless entry, which Porsche somewhat exaggeratedly calls ‘Porsche Entry’. The interior is of course black, and appears to be covered in the artificial leather that is common nowadays. Real leather is also possible, but at an additional cost. The stopwatch so characteristic of Porsche on the dashboard is missing, because it is part of the optional Sport Chrono package. An audio system with 10 speakers, 8-way electrically adjustable front seats, seat heating, 2-zone climate control, ambient lighting adjustable in 7 colors and some basic assistance systems are standard. This also applies to an extensive infotainment system. It is very strange that Porsche explicitly mentions Apple Carplay, but ignores Android Auto. Based on previous Porsche experiences, we think we really know that this is also standard, but apparently Android users at Porsche are not worth mentioning.

Then on to the less good news: cruise control is available, but is not adaptive. As a reminder: this is now standard with an Aygo. What is more striking is that an automatically dimming interior mirror is also not standard. In a basic Macan you apparently have to pull such a lever in an old-fashioned way to avoid being bothered by the annoying piercing headlights of vehicles behind you, which is a bit negative in this segment.

Oh well, who cares: no one is going to order such a Porsche without an extensive trip through the options list. You can make it as crazy as you want. From Porsche logos in the headrests to burgundy belts and from a spray-painted key to a leather-covered seat base, Porsche is happy to take your money.