Porsche Has To Kill Off The Petrol Macan In Europe For Unexpected Reason

We knew the clock was ticking for the combustion-powered Porsche Macan. A brand-new electric version is coming early in 2024, which could eventually replace the existing car. There was a plan to sell the existing dinosaur-fuelled car alongside the EV for a short while at least, but that has been forced onto the shelf - and not for the reasons you’d think.

Rather than the Macan falling foul of any emissions regulations, it doesn’t meet cybersecurity regulations set to come into force in the European Union on 1 July 2024.

More specifically, it doesn’t conform to regulation UNECE WP.29 which stipulates that cars sold in the EU must be fitted with certain measures to protect the car from 70 vulnerabilities to hackers, which the Macan doesn’t have.

A Porsche spokesperson confirmed to Automotive News Europe this would spell the end of the SUV in Europe, although it will continue to be exported to North America.

It’s a strange one, to say the least, but let’s not forget how old the current Porsche Macan is. It has thrice been facelifted, most recently in 2021, though at its core it's a model that first came to market in 2014 - long before these new cybersecurity regulations were finalised.

For Porsche’s accountants, the Macan is no small loss. Autocar reports that 20,117 have been sold in Europe in 2023 alone - comfortably ahead of the Range Rover Velar at 8,205 for comparison.

At least when the Porsche Macan EV arrives, there’s a lot to get excited about. It’s confirmed to have over 600bhp in its most potent form and will have 270kW rapid charging which will be incredibly useful for recharging its massive 100kWh battery.