ADAS and UX Test
Porsche's Electric Macan Impresses Across the Board
The long wait was worth it. As the first Porsche on the PPE platform, the Macan 4 delivers. Besides driving pleasure, the assistance systems and infotainment also score points.
Test drives in winter have their peculiarities. Especially when it comes to electric cars. Because even if our focus is primarily on the ADAS and UX experience, range always plays a crucial role in the experience. Many manufacturers still struggle to develop models that maintain the promised performance even at temperatures around freezing point. For electromobility to prevail, much depends precisely on this point - the much-vaunted everyday usability. In this context, the years-long delay of the PPE models from the VW group seems somewhat more understandable. Because what the Porsche Macan 4 delivers in this area is truly outstanding. No matter how fast or slow we were traveling - the displayed remaining range was always extremely accurate. This made it easy to quickly focus on those functions that are primarily the subject of consideration in the following.
Even at first glance, the cockpit of the Macan impresses with a tidy and intuitive design. The steering wheel is functionally designed and offers six buttons as well as a drive mode switch, allowing the selection of Normal, Sport, and Sport Plus driving modes. The cruise control is accessible via a separate lever on the left side, which feels pleasantly familiar to users of other VW Group vehicles. The cockpit design combines elegance with sportiness. High-quality materials and precise craftsmanship underscore Porsche's premium claim. Also striking is the classic Porsche clock on the dashboard. The ambient lighting, which can be adjusted in various colors, creates a modern atmosphere.
Infotainment: Intuitive operation and strong app
The infotainment system of the Macan 4 is based on Android Automotive OS. The central display of the Macan is clearly structured and allows quick access to essential functions such as navigation, phone, vehicle settings, and music.
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The developers have particularly succeeded with the Porsche App, which allows routes to be planned in advance and sent to the vehicle. Although this is no longer a special feature, it offers real added value, especially on long distances, as charging stops and arrival times are calculated very reliably. The integration of Apple Car Play also works smoothly. Users can use Apple's Siri or the Porsche voice assistant. While Siri is versatile, the Porsche assistant is more limited to vehicle-specific functions. Here, Porsche, like its competitors, does not necessarily score with good performance. The head-up display offers a clear and easily readable display of speed, battery status, and navigation instructions. However, the navigation arrows could be designed smaller to be less distracting. Overall, the system fulfills its purpose and effectively supports the driver. A special feature is the 10.9-inch display on the passenger side. This allows the co-pilot to access central display content, make settings, or stream videos, even while driving. Entertainment options such as YouTube, live TV in the ZDF media library, or games like a karaoke app are state of the art.
Charging actually brings joy
No matter how much fun karaoke in the car is - if the vehicle doesn't charge properly and provide reliable information, any good UX quickly becomes passé. To ensure this doesn't happen, a lot of time was taken in developing the PPE platform. And it paid off: The high-voltage battery has a gross energy content of 100 kWh, and 800-volt charging (DC) is possible with up to 270 kW. The charge level can be increased from ten to 80 percent in about 21 minutes, promises Porsche. And indeed, this is true. The consumption of the Macan 4 in the test was 23.6 kWh/100 km at an outside temperature of 2.5 degrees Celsius. The route planning via the Porsche Charging Planner worked exceptionally well. You can flexibly adjust the desired charge at the end of the route at any time, and the route updates immediately - even during the charging process.
Porsche sound must not be missing
To ease the pain that Porsche fans feel due to the absence of engine noises, the Stuttgart team has come up with something. The driving experience is complemented by the Porsche Electric Sport Sound, specially developed for the SUV. A control algorithm adjusts the sound to the driving situation as well as the torques and speeds of the electric machines. The sound of the Macan is then played both through the entertainment sound system and two external sound speakers.
Speaking of sound: The Macan models come standard with the Sound Package Plus with ten speakers and a total output of 150 watts. For an even more intense sound experience, optional sound systems from Bose and Burmester are available. Our test vehicle was equipped with the Bose Surround Sound System with 14 speakers, a separate subwoofer, 14 amplifier channels, and a total output of 710 watts. The subwoofer is integrated under the loading floor, which slightly reduces the trunk volume. Compared to other premium manufacturers that rely on Bowers & Wilkins or Harman/Kardon, the Bose system cannot quite keep up, although the criticism is at a very high level.
Up to 30 seconds hands-free without intervention
The Macan is equipped with a variety of modern assistance systems. These include, among others, a lane keeping assistant, a collision warning system, an intersection assistant, and an adaptive cruise control. The assistance systems are individually configurable and can be turned on and off as needed. Particularly noteworthy is the visual feedback on the display: When assisted driving is activated, the steering wheel lights up green. When assistance is deactivated, it does not light up, and the driver takes full control. During the drive, it becomes apparent that the system works reliably. Up to 15 seconds pass before an orange warning symbol appears if the steering wheel is not touched. After another 15 seconds, the symbol flashes red. This allows the driver to drive hands-free for a short period without the systems intervening. In most cases, this works very well, especially on highways and well-marked roads. On the highway, the adaptive cruise control reliably maintains the distance to the vehicle in front and accelerates smoothly after braking. Especially on long distances, this system provides relief.
However, the system shows weaknesses with missing road markings in urban areas. Caution is advised here, as lane guidance occasionally acts inconsistently. On the positive side, the performance in narrow streets: At 30 km/h, the system works well. The ACC detects other vehicles at the roadside and brakes correctly. In terms of environmental perception, the Porsche developers have done a good job.
The 12.6-inch fully digital curved display, freestanding and positioned directly in the driver's line of sight, as well as a central assistance screen, make it easier to operate the driver assistance systems and offer a good, clear visualization. The driver can individually adjust the display of the instrument cluster and the optional augmented reality head-up display using the steering wheel buttons. Even people who have never driven a car from the VW group quickly internalized this.
Conclusion
The electric Macan is simply fun. Anyone who can afford such a car certainly won't go wrong with it. Just as the outstanding driving characteristics are convincing, so are the usability and assistance functions of the "native" Leipziger. Special highlights are the passenger display, the intuitive setting options, the Porsche app, and the fine-tuning of assisted driving on highways.
This article was first published at automotiveit.eu
