There was electricity in the air as Porsche Latin American unveiled the second-generation Macan in front of media and specially invited guests at the Soumaya Museum, Mexico City, Mexico, on Wednesday, November 13.

The big headline, the Macan, Porsche’s compact luxury sport utility vehicle is now all-electric.

“We are taking the Macan to a completely new level with exceptional E-performance, the new driver experience, and a very impressive design,” said Oliver Blume, chairman of the executive board, Porsche AG, in the press materials for the vehicle.

The Macan Electric was driven on stage to an impressive light-forward, late evening presentation that included dancers and the vehicle name projected onto the side of the Plaza Carso, the iconic half of the two buildings that constitute the private museum. The next morning media were taken to the Mexican resort city of Cancún to experience Porsche’s second all-electric model at their leisure over the following two days.

Launched 10 years ago, the Macan turned into high-volume sales model for the company, moving 44,636 units upon its first year of release. By 2018 sales numbers were near 10 times that figure at 403,727. Last year saw peak sales figures for the now-outgoing model at 844,236 units.

The switch to electric means the new Macan Electric joins the only other all-electric Porsche, the Taycan. However, the Macan is the first vehicle on Porsche’s Premium Platform Electric (PPE), a platform designed to allow the company to create further high-volume electric models.

PPE has an 800-volt architecture and can charge the Macan’s 100kWh battery (95kWh useable) at up to 270kW. Porsche says at those speeds 270 kilometres of range can be regained in 10 minutes, and charging from 10 per cent to 80 per cent will take 21 minutes. At lower charging speeds PPE has an extra trick up its sleeve, able to split the 800-volt battery into two 400-volt units for more efficient charging. AC charging speed is a maximum of 11kW.

Battery power is routed to either a single or dual permanently excited synchronous electric motors. They generate anywhere from 360bhp to 639bhp dependent on drivetrain, and can recoup up to 240kW, based on model. Driving range is rated from 590km to 641km, as per vehicle trim level, of which there are four: The base Macan Electric is rear-wheel drive. The Macan 4, Macan 4S, and Macan Turbo, are all-wheel drive.

To ensure the Macan retains its on-road dynamics, it uses E-Performance, a suite of electronic systems that manage the motors and suspension. There is Porsche Traction Management, Porsche Torque vectoring Plus, and an electronically controlled rear differential. For the models using air suspension the dampers are of the two-valve design for maximum control from Porsche Active Suspension Management. New to the Macan is rear-axle steering, that allows a maximum five degrees of steering angle for the rear wheels. This reduces turning circle in urban situations and helps in high-speed stability.

Visually, the Macan is brand new, yet holds close to several Porsche design cues and pieces of the model’s previous history, while incorporating the necessary elements for aerodynamic efficiency. The signature Porsche flyline, and 3D tail light strip are part of the new styling that sees the Macan’s customisable side blades return. That new design language includes front lights which are split into two parts, and can be used to differentiate the highest Turbo trim from the rest.

The Macan Electric has a longer wheelbase than the previous petrol model, increasing the interior and cargo volume, frunk included. The new cabin sports the Porsche Driver Experience display and control systems, which uses up to three screens, a 12.6-inch curved display for driver instrumentation, backed by a head-up display with augmented reality technology. The infotainment running on Android Automotive OS, uses a 10.9-inch screen, and passengers have their own 10.9-inch display.

For those who have to use their Macan off-road, there is an optional package that features an alternative front bumper which increase the approach angle and has the air suspension reprogrammed to deliver an extra 10mm of ground clearance.

Of course, no new Porsche is ever the same, and the brand’s famous personalisation options continue. The Macan has 13 standard exterior colours of the 59 possible, plus a wider material base and colour palette to choose for inside and out.

The Macan Electric can be now pre-ordered.