[opinion] - hmmm…VW/Audi/Porsche may be in trouble…

[whitex]

from a HP and performance perspective the Macan EV is better value than the ICE macan in my opinion - there are cheaper entry point ICE macan but i doubt anyone on the Taycan forum would say they are “good cars” - crappy engines, slow acceleration, mediocre transmissions and blah exhaust notes - the cheaper Macan ICE trims are badge exercises not really porsche performance products…the EVs on the other hand see world class and will embarrass any Macan ICE trim

Oups, I misread your original comment. Completely agree with the above.

 

[D00notD00d]

Rivians Will Get Seamless Plug-And-Charge At Ionna Stations

Since the VW group has bought into Rivian for its software, whatever Rivian does today ….

 

[Zcd1]

…the Macan @ $63,100K (zero to 60 in 6 seconds) and the Macan T $68,770 (zero to 60 in 5.8 sec) (both 261 HP) is Porsche milking the brand awareness, pure and simple, and trying to hit a price point that won't scare people off that honestly, probably don't know any better.

Ironically, and neatly illustrating my point, the base Macan 4 cylinder is the best-selling version, despite what any enthusiast might want or prefer.

 

[daveo4EV]

Ironically, and neatly illustrating my point, the base Macan 4 cylinder is the best-selling version, despite what any enthusiast might want or prefer.

I've driven the base Macan as a loaner -it's a terrible car…

you get a better product for similar money in an audi…

 

[Fish Fingers]

I've driven the base Macan as a loaner -it's a terrible car…

you get a better product for similar money in an audi…

I had one as a loaner too.

I couldn't believe how utterly cr@p it was. I couldn't stop laughing when you put your foot down. Nothing happened. ?

The 'performance' reminded me of a Ford Fiesta XR2 I drove in the 1980s.

 

[ct14garage]

Because Macan, whether ICE or EV is a car for peasants.

Porsche should have never made such a car.

But hey, that’s VW AG for you.

 

[whitex]

I couldn't believe how utterly cr@p it was. I couldn't stop laughing when you put your foot down. Nothing happened. ?

Yours must have been broken, the one I drove made a lot of noise whenever I put the right pedal down.

 

[D00notD00d]

I’ve driven base ICE and EV Macans as loaners. I thought they were both very cheaply finished, unremarkable and poor value. The EV had a very lumpy ride. A better specced Macan EV would be in demo Taycan 1.2 price territory - no contest.
All subjective of course.

 

[Zcd1]

I’ve driven base ICE and EV Macans as loaners. I thought they were both very cheaply finished, unremarkable and poor value. The EV had a very lumpy ride. A better specced Macan EV would be in demo Taycan 1.2 price territory - no contest.
All subjective of course.

You’re not the only one:

https://www.edmunds.com/car-news/2024-porsche-macan-4-electric-too-expensive-long-term-update.html

 

[D00notD00d]

You’re not the only one:

https://www.edmunds.com/car-news/2024-porsche-macan-4-electric-too-expensive-long-term-update.html

That review nails it.
And how is a V8 Cayenne worth 50k more than a V6 one?
Volume SUV sales reusing VW group parts made Porsche profitable. Their pricing model now doesn’t seem competitive. They no longer seem to have a volume seller.

 

[kempez]

I drove a Macan GTS when my TTST was in for a service and tbh was completely unimpressed by it. Couldn't wait to pick the Taycan back up. And that wasn't really for the speed.

 

[Genau]

One trick I have learned about service loaner Macans is that the customers prior to me don't add the recommended fuel for the models that take high octane. If I have the loaner long enough to drain the tank, I notice it performs better when I add high octane for those models that call for it. Still not great performance, but improved.

 

[Jonathan S.]

You’re not the only one:

https://www.edmunds.com/car-news/2024-porsche-macan-4-electric-too-expensive-long-term-update.html

Interesting review, thanks for posting that -- especially many of those criticisms also apply to the Taycan.
This though is partly their fault:

"A 360-degree view camera system and a rear windshield wiper are commonplace on six-figure automobiles — our iX had both — but they are not found on our Macan. They're optional extras we didn't specify, and the lack of both has caused consternation among our staff. But the fact that they just don't come standard is an example of a company nickel-and-diming its customers. What we paid for our Macan is nowhere near its true price ceiling, and that's a tough pill to swallow."​

If those were valued options, then why weren't they ordered?
The next paragraph refers to "forgetting silly options" but at least the on-line configurator shows everything clearly.
For a used car buyer, yes, definitely frustrating, since so many CT listings I looked at splurged on purely cosmetic options yet omitted options that actual do ... stuff.
Plus they paid for the augmented-reality HUD, so they weren't holding back in other areas.

As for the overall interior ambience, I definitely agree with that for my 4CT.
The original owner paid ~$135k (plus window tinting & ppf) including the Olea leather.
But the interior on our ~$80k i4 M50 is definitely nicer, and that of our ~$80k A6ar is nicer still.
(The i4 M50 also comes close to the 4CT for driving dynamics and cargo capacity, but rear seat is definitely smaller. The A6ar is nowhere near for driving dynamics, but passenger room, cargo capacity, and ride comfort are all way better, which of course is no surprise, since that's the A6ar goal.)

 

[Zcd1]

But the interior on our ~$80k i4 M50 is definitely nicer, and that of our ~$80k A6ar is nicer still.
(The i4 M50 also comes close to the 4CT for driving dynamics and cargo capacity, but rear seat is definitely smaller.

And this illustrates the tricky position Porsche finds itself in as EVs become more commonplace:

-without the siren song of exceptional engines, there’s less to justify the higher prices Porsche has traditionally commanded.

-If a Porsche can’t count on its dynamics to justify its pricing, what justifies it?

Having sat in (but not driven) a Macan 4 EV optioned up to $103K, to me the interior ambiance didn’t measure up to that of our $70K Genesis GV60, much less that of the iX. I have no doubt that the Macan would tackle a twisty road more confidently, but what percentage of sports luxury CUV buyers prioritize vehicle dynamics? Macan sales results favoring the slowest, least capable versions would suggest that most of those buyers don’t care.

 

[chun]

Porsche, like it's parent company VW, and like its brother, Audi, will probably end up having Chinese "partners" build their cars for the Chinese market, the biggest auto market in the world, and slap a logo on it.

Seems to be the approach VW is taking in China for all of their brands, so very likely Porsche would follow.
Bently was waiting for Cariad to get their shit together to release an EV, but likely that will change for the Chinese market asap also.

And once they start slapping logos on better Chinese cars, it won't be long until they either import them to the rest of the world or copy them.
Audi built by SAIC:
https://www.topgear.com/car-news/fi...s-china-only-brand-and-audis-765bhp-e-concept

VW built by XPENG & designed by XPENG:
https://www.cnbc.com/2024/08/27/vol...ng-lots-of-time-at-xpeng-to-make-new-evs.html



Lamborghini and Porsche where also displayed on the same stage during the partnership with XPENG announcement. I wonder why? Seems pretty obvious

So VW group clearly admits it can't compete with Chinese cars. Now, how long until they admit it in the rest of the world also? My bet is that by 2030 we will have VW group cars built by Chinese on sale in Europe. Seems like the perfect deal for Chinese brands to export their products without tariffs.
Pair that with Rivian software to adhere to any privacy & security laws EU & USA have, and bob's your uncle, you got a modern EV, not built by europe that's no longer capable of building cars that keep up with technology.