Porsche boss confirms Macan expansion plan: Pure-EV strategy set to evolve with new ICE SUV model to take the fight to Audi Q5, BMW X3, Lexus NX and Mercedes GLC

Porsche CEO Oliver Blume has addressed the EV-only Macan shaped elephant in the room with news of a complimentary SUV model line, including internal-combustion variants, set to arrive before the end of the decade.

Speaking overnight at Porsche’s annual financial results press conference in Stuttgart, Dr Blume recognised the slower than expected global uptake of pure electric vehicles.

“We have renewed five out of six model lines and extensively refreshed our product portfolio. This has laid the foundation for our success in the coming years, with the clear goal of exciting our customers with our iconic sports cars.

“In view of the changed circumstances, we have adjusted our product strategy in all segments. And we further developed our proven and successful Porsche strategy over the course of last year to make the company even more flexible, robust and high-performing,” he said.

Part of that development comes in the shape of a new SUV model line incorporating pure combustion and hybrid powertrains.

In an official conference statement Porsche said it “stands by its decision” to make the new-gen Macan electric-only on a bespoke EV platform from launch last year, but added it is “currently evaluating an independent model line in the SUV segment with combustion and hybrid powertrains.

“It would have a new design and Porsche's characteristic profile, and would benefit from synergies.

“The model could be launched towards the end of the decade’” the statement said.

Whether the potential newcomer serves as an adjunct to, or replacement for the Macan remains to be seen but Porsche says it “continues to rely on a mix of drivetrains” adding “its customers will still be able to choose between combustion engines, plug-in hybrids and all-electric drivetrains in every vehicle segment well into the 2030s”.

Stand by for news on whether the new-generation 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman sports cars, due to arrive in 2026 as another pure-electric model line, will pick up ICE variants as part of Porsche’s evolving powertrain strategy.