- Porsche plans to continue offering the ICE Macan in North America based on demand.
- The current Macan platform, now over a decade old, has already undergone two facelifts.
- Over 80% of Porsche’s cars will be electrified by 2030, depending on global demand.
“The Times They Are A-Changin’,” sang Bob Dylan. But sometimes, the more things change, the more they stay the same. Porsche, like many automakers, is recalibrating its strategy in response to shifting political and consumer winds. Once steadfast in its commitment to an electric future, the sports carmaker is adjusting its course – at least temporarily. Central to this adjustment is the Macan, one of Porsche’s best-sellers, which could follow a different path than originally planned.
As we’ve learned, Porsche is now exploring how to integrate more combustion engines into its lineup, driven in part by sluggish Taycan sales and a surge in demand for hybrid and combustion models. This change comes on top of potential policy shifts in the US once the new Trump administration takes over next year.
More: Porsche Changes EV Plan, Will Give Electric Models ICE Powertrains Too
Although the details remain in flux, Porsche CFO Lutz Meschke confirmed during the company’s Q3 results that “We will refresh our combustion engine cars, including the Panamera and the Cayenne, and of course, we will continue to rely on plug-in hybrids.”
What About The Macan?
Earlier this year, Porsche officials had indicated that production of the combustion Macan would end by 2026, leaving the electric version as their sole luxury compact SUV. “The platform has reached the end of its cycle,” Porsche executive board member Albrecht Reimold said back in July.
The ICE Macan has already been pulled from European markets not due to lack of demand, but because its platform no longer meets the latest EU cybersecurity regulations. Bringing it into compliance would be prohibitively expensive for such an old platform. However, the combustion version remains available in key markets like North America, where regulatory standards are apparently less stringent.
The ICE Version Isn’t Done Yet
We reached out to Porsche USA to clarify whether these latest developments would affect the ICE Macan’s availability in North America and whether there are any plans to extend the model’s lifecycle.
“The current ICE Macan will continue to be offered in the U.S. in its current form for the foreseeable future, and will be sold alongside the new all-electric Macan,” a Porsche spokesperson told Carscoops. “The length of this parallel offering will also be determined by customer demand and regulatory requirements.”
Poll: Would You Buy The Porsche Macan EV Turbo Or The ICE Macan GTS?
While this doesn’t necessarily contradict Porsche’s earlier statement about halting production by 2026, the phrasing suggests that the ICE Macan could have a longer lifespan than previously expected if demand remains strong. How long that might be is anyone’s guess, but keep an eye on the sales split between the ICE and EV Macans.
A Third Facelift?
The reality, however, is that the ICE Macan is long in the tooth, made even more apparent by the presence of the mechanically unrelated EV model. In production since 2014, it has undergone two facelifts in 2019 and 2021, along with numerous smaller updates in between. Despite these efforts to keep it fresh and competitive, the SUV remains tethered to an aging platform, with some inherent limitations that you simply can’t fix, such as tighter cargo space and a more cramped passenger cabin compared to its rivals.
On the other hand, the Macan remains a standout in its segment, delivering some of the best driving dynamics you’ll find in an SUV. Add to that a high-quality, endlessly customizable interior—though its premium price tag makes sure you don’t forget it—and it’s easy to see why it’s still a favorite.
However, competitors are advancing rapidly with newer platforms, roomier designs, and far better tech features, placing mounting pressure on the Macan to keep up. If it were to go beyond 2026 in its current form, Porsche would no doubt have to work some serious facelift magic to keep it from feeling outdated.
Porsche’s Long-Term Plans
We also asked Porsche about the future of its broader portfolio following the recent comments from the CFO during the Q3 results.
More: Porsche Macan EV Gains RWD, 4S Variants, And Off-Road Design Package
“Generally speaking, Porsche customers will still be able to choose between efficient combustion engines, powerful plug-in hybrids, and all-electric models in the 2030s,” the spokesperson told us. “In recent years, the product strategy has aimed to offer all three powertrain variants across every available Porsche segment – sports cars, sports sedans, and SUVs. Our strategy is designed to allow more than 80 percent of our new cars to be fully electrified by 2030, depending on customer demand and the development of electromobility in different regions.”
So, for now, Porsche’s long-term plans remain largely intact. The brand still aims for over 80% of its new cars to be fully electrified by (or possibly after) 2030 – assuming that customer preferences and global trends align.
PORSCHE MACAN EV
