New Porsche Macan successor to use front-biased 4WD system

Global production of the current Porsche Macan will come to an end next year.

Published On Sep 10, 2025 08:00:00 AM

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Current Porsche Macan (for representation only).

Porsche is working on the replacement of the combustion-powered Macan, whose production is set to end globally in 2026. Known internally as the Porsche M1, the new SUV will be sold alongside the Macan EV. Rivals would include the likes of the Mercedes GLC and BMW X3.

The M1 SUV will use the Audi Q5's 4WD system
It is also built on the same PPC base as the Audi Q5
Performance-focused S, GTS and Turbo variants are expected

Porsche M1 platform and 4WD setup

Underpinned by the Premium Platform Combustion base.

The new M1 will have a lot in common with the Audi Q5 and sit on the Volkswagen Group's Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) architecture. Additionally, the new Porsche will adopt the Q5's efficiency-focused Quattro Ultra drive system. But instead of heavily modifying the platform for a rear-biased 4WD setup, like Porsche did with the first-gen Macan's MLB base, it'll be largely unchanged in the upcoming SUV for cost reasons. As a result, drive in the M1 will primarily be sent to the front axle, with the rear wheels engaging only when sensors detect any traction loss.

94-year tradition set to end.

This would mark a 94-year tradition since the brand's inception in 1931, as Porsche cars have so far been engineered to send power to the rear axle, either wholly or primarily, to achieve optimum handling. Since the platform is shared, it'll allow Porsche to develop the latest SUV at a relatively lower cost. "[The M1] will be differentiated from the [electric] Macan," Porsche CEO Oliver Blume had said earlier. While a new Porsche typically takes five years from concept to production, Blume added that the M1's three-year development was speeding up its market launch.

Porsche M1 engine and gearbox expectations

204hp, 2-litre turbo-petrol setup is expected initially.

The new SUV may further go on to borrow the Q5's 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, producing 204hp and 340Nm. Transmission duties in the Audi SUV are handled by a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. Audi claims a 0-100kph time of 7.2 seconds with the Q5 SUV. Reports suggest that higher-powered engines and adaptive chassis tuning are under consideration, with S, GTS and Turbo performance variants also being likely.

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