Porsche's replacement for the combustion-engined Macan is beginning to take shape, with new test mules suggesting the high-performance SUV will sit significantly lower and wider than the related Audi Q5 on which it is based. The German manufacturer confirmed last week that the new model will arrive in 2028 and be sold in parallel with the Macan Electric as part of its new Sportswagenschmeide 35 strategy.
The prototype, finished in Porsche's signature black prototype paint, has been spotted with several key modifications that distinguish it from previous Q5 test mules. These include wider wheel arches and a larger front grille. Foam blocks mounted around the arches and undertray are used to verify ground clearance in real-world conditions, and their positioning suggests the Macan will have a notably lower and wider stance than the Audi, which should endow it with greater dynamic capabilities.
The new SUV will be built on the same Premium Platform Combustion as the Audi Q5, which explains the shared outward appearance of the test mule. However, Porsche's design chief Tobias Suhlmann has indicated that the final car will be distinct from the Macan Electric. He said: «First of all, it should look like a Porsche. That is for me the overall target. We've talked about torpedo fenders; you should see them also in an SUV. There are technical needs that are different in an EV and ICE, so you always need to design it in comparison to the technical bits that sit underneath the shape.»
CEO Michael Leiters recently described the new ICE Macan as one of the company's immediate priorities. The previous combustion-engined Macan ended production in July, yet it still outsold the electric version during the third quarter of this year, with 27,996 units compared with 23,029 for the EV. Total Macan sales of 51,025 represented a 21% reduction compared with the third quarter of 2025.
As part of a broader strategic overhaul, Porsche is targeting value over volume, aiming to make a larger profit from a smaller number of cars. Central to this approach is greater customisation, which will increase the average transaction price of each vehicle the brand sells, a tactic that has proven lucrative for luxury marques such as Bentley and Rolls-Royce. The company is also evaluating the business case for a new mid-engined halo model underpinned by a super-sports car platform confirmed by Leiters last week. Porsche will tonight unveil the Mission S, a concept car expected to preview this new ICE supercar.
The new Macan's development comes as Porsche navigates a challenging transition to electrification while maintaining its reputation for driver-focused performance. The decision to offer both combustion and electric versions of its best-selling SUV reflects the company's recognition that demand for traditional powertrains remains strong, particularly in key markets. The lower, wider stance of the new model suggests Porsche is prioritising dynamic capability, a hallmark of its brand identity.
With production of the previous ICE Macan now ended, the 2028 model will be tasked with continuing the nameplate's success. The fact that the outgoing combustion model still outsold its electric sibling in the most recent quarter underscores the enduring appeal of the ICE Macan and the importance of getting its replacement right. Porsche has declined to comment on the latest images, and the final design remains under wraps, but the test mule provides the clearest indication yet of the direction the new SUV will take.