Porsche to sell ICE Macan in U.S.

“The times are a-changin’,” sang Bob Dylan. But sometimes, the more things change, the more they stay the same. Like many automakers, Porsche is recalibrating its strategy in response to changing political and consumer winds. Once it solidified its commitment to an electric future, the sports car maker is changing its course — at least temporarily. At the heart of the shakeup is the Macan, one of Porsche’s best-selling models, which may take a different path than originally planned.

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We understand that Porsche is currently exploring how to integrate more internal combustion engines into its lineup, in part due to weak Taycan sales and surging demand for hybrid and internal combustion models. The change comes on top of a possible policy shift in the United States when the new Trump administration takes office next year.

More information: Porsche changes its electric car plan and will also provide ICE power systems for electric models

Although details have yet to be finalized, Porsche Chief Financial Officer Lutz Meschke confirmed in the company’s third-quarter results report that “we will update our internal combustion engine cars, including the Panamera and Cayenne, and of course we will continue to rely on plug-in hybrids.”

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How about Macan?

Earlier this year, Porsche officials said production of the internal-combustion Macan would end in 2026 and the electric version would become Porsche’s only luxury compact SUV. “The platform has reached the end of its cycle,” Albrecht Reimold, a member of Porsche’s executive board, said in July.

ICE Macan has been withdrawn from the European market, not due to lack of demand, but because its platform no longer complies with the latest EU cybersecurity regulations. The cost of bringing it into compliance is prohibitively expensive for such an old platform. However, combustion versions are still sold in major markets such as North America, where regulatory standards are decidedly less stringent.

ICE version not yet complete

We reached out to Porsche USA to ask if these latest developments will affect the North American launch of the ICE Macan, and if there are plans to extend the model’s life cycle.

“The current ICE Macan will continue to be sold in the United States 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 parallel product offerings will also be determined by customer demand and regulatory requirements Decide.”

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Poll: Would you buy the Porsche Macan EV Turbo or the ICE Macan GTS?

While this doesn’t necessarily contradict Porsche’s previous statement about ending production in 2026, the wording suggests that if demand remains strong, the ICE Macan may have a longer lifespan than previously thought. How long this will last is anyone’s guess, but keep an eye on the sales gap between ICE and EV Macans.

Third plastic surgery?

The reality, however, is that the ICE Macan is already outdated, and the presence of mechanically unrelated EV models is even more apparent. It has been in production since 2014 and received two facelifts in 2019 and 2021, along with multiple smaller updates in between. Despite these efforts to stay fresh and competitive, the SUV still suffers from an aging platform with some inherent limitations that simply can’t be fixed, such as tighter cargo space and a more cramped cabin than its competitors.

The Macan, on the other hand, remains at the top of its segment, offering the best driving dynamics among SUVs. Add to this a high-quality, infinitely customizable interior – which despite its hefty price tag ensures you won’t forget it – and it’s easy to see why it remains a favorite.

However, rivals are advancing rapidly with newer platforms, roomier designs and better tech features, putting increasing pressure on the Macan to keep up. If it’s to last beyond 2026 in its current form, Porsche will undoubtedly need some major facelift magic to prevent it from feeling dated.

Porsche’s long-term plans

We also asked Porsche about the future of its wider portfolio following the CFO’s recent comments during Q3 results.

More: Porsche Macan EV gets rear-wheel drive, 4S variant, off-road design package

“In general, Porsche customers will still be able to choose between efficient internal combustion engines, powerful plug-in hybrids and fully electric models into the 2030s,” a spokesperson told us. “In recent years, the product strategy has aimed to offer all three powertrain variants in every available segment of Porsche – sports car, sports sedan and SUV. Our strategy is based on customer demand and the availability of electromobility in different regions. According to the development situation, more than 80% of new cars will be fully electric by 2030.”

So, for now, Porsche’s long-term plans remain largely unchanged. The brand still plans to have more than 80% of new cars fully electric by 2030 (or possibly beyond) – assuming customer preferences align with global trends.