Latest news with #ElectricSUV
Motor Trend
17-06-2025
- Automotive
- Motor Trend
2025 Porsche Macan 4 Electric First Test: Feeling Like a Porsche?
Pros Long range Quick charging Porsche design Cons Quite pricey Lacks the Porsche feeling Interior materials are questionable The 2025 Porsche Macan Electric marks the brand's first foray into the all-electric SUV world, and with four trims—Base, 4, 4S, and Turbo—there's a Macan EV tailored to many types of drivers. Power ranges from 355 hp in the base model up to a stonking 630 hp in the range-topping Turbo, and every version comes equipped with a large 100-kWh battery (95 usable). The 2025 Porsche Macan 4 Electric impresses with its range, charging, and comfort, but lacks the thrilling Porsche feel. Priced at $90,365 as tested, it offers solid EV performance but falls short on interior refinement and emotional driving experience. This summary was generated by AI using content from this MotorTrend article Read Next We spent a couple of weeks behind the wheel of a Macan 4, one of the midlevel trims delivering 402 hp, and came away impressed with its relatively long range and speedy charging capabilities. But despite its electrified bona fides, we couldn't help but ask ourselves: Does the Macan 4 Electric really feel like a Porsche? Engaging, but Not like All Porsches The base-model Macan Electric and the Macan 4 we had in for testing are clearly aimed at buyers seeking a more relaxed and comfortable driving experience, and its off-the-line performance reflected that. When we pinned it, the Macan 4 hustled from 0 to 60 mph in a respectable 4.5 seconds, doing so with quiet confidence, and the test team reported it exhibited smooth, quick launches with a linear feel as it did. But there was no "wheee!' moment, no snap-back-into-the-headrest drama under hard acceleration. And that's exactly how the Macan 4 Electric felt out on the road, as well. It didn't deliver the kind of thrills we've come to expect from a Porsche. There was no real emotional spark to the proceedings. Those qualities seem reserved for the more powerful 4S and Turbo models—and based on our First Drives, they deliver. But when you're spending over $90,000 on an EV (and a Porsche, no less), you expect something that truly grabs your attention. Let's get one thing straight: Speed isn't everything. And although we wouldn't call the Macan 4 quick, it certainly isn't slow, either, with enough power to keep things moving. We were also fans of its composed ride, and despite steering tuned more for comfort than aggression, it still felt plenty connected. The Macan 4 Electric is a solid electrified SUV to be sure, just not an overly exciting one from behind the wheel. Macan Electric Does EV Things Well As an EV, the Macan 4 more than hits the mark. Its 95-kWh of usable battery delivered 282 miles of range during our 70-mph steady-state Road-Trip Range test—just shy of its 308-mile EPA rating—and it aced the fast-charging trial, adding 175 miles in just 15 minutes on a 350-kW charger. In addition, charging from 5 to 80 percent took only 22 minutes, just behind its Audi Q6 E-Tron platform mate. Those are strong numbers, and they should matter to anyone buying an EV. On top of that, the native navigation system has been improved to make road-trip planning smarter, showing available chargers along your route and estimating charging times based on charger power and your battery's current state of charge. Like the Taycan, the Macan Electric doesn't offer true one-pedal driving, though it does take advantage of brake regeneration to recover energy. Unlike some competitors, Porsche keeps it simple; there's no adjustable regen level, just an on/off switch. Even with regen enabled, lifting off the throttle doesn't produce a sudden slowdown. Instead, the Macan gently coasts while gradually losing speed. When you press the brake pedal, the system captures that energy and feeds it back into the battery, just like other EVs. When examining the inside of the 2025 Porsche Macan 4 Electric, we came away satisfied with what we saw and touched, though it lacked the wow factor some other EVs in its class deliver. On the plus side, the leather throughout the cabin is soft. The seats feel comfortable and well cushioned—thankfully so because those 14-way power-adjustable seats tack on a $1,350 premium. The 10.9-inch touchscreen fits neatly into the dashboard and delivers crisp, clear navigation visuals via Apple CarPlay. Meanwhile, the 12.6-inch curved gauge cluster adds a touch of high-end sophistication to the cockpit. But take a closer look, and you might find yourself underwhelmed. The hard plastic on the center console feels out of place in a vehicle at this price point. We noticed the entire panel housing the A/C controls sinks noticeably when you press one of the touch-sensitive buttons. Plus, there's more piano black trim than we'd prefer. Overall, the cabin proved to be less refined than we expected. We also ran into a few hiccups with the infotainment system. On our first time in the car, connecting to Apple CarPlay was a breeze, but strangely, no audio played. We tried switching to the radio but came up empty there, too. Thankfully, the issue only popped up once during our two-week loan, but it wasn't the best way to kick things off. There were a few other features that stood out in a positive way. For example, the ambient lighting isn't just for looks. It flashes bright yellow or red on the upper door panel to warn you of cars in your blind spot or when a car is approaching, respectively. At night, this lighting adds a sleek, modern vibe to the cabin. Still, there's nothing that felt particularly unique or groundbreaking, and given it's a Porsche, we expected something a bit more upscale and special. Is the 2025 Porsche Macan 4 Electric Worth It? After two weeks behind the wheel of the 2025 Porsche Macan 4 Electric, we concluded it's a great EV—but it doesn't quite deliver what other Porsches do. As we mentioned, the interior materials could be of higher quality, and the driving experience lacks a certain flair. Another sticking point is value. The Macan 4 Electric starts at $80,795, and prices climb quickly once you start adding options. With extras such as rear steering and the Sport Chrono package, the final tally hit $90,365—a hefty sum for what you get. But more than that, what's missing from the Macan 4 Electric is that intangible something —the special feeling that defines a Porsche, especially one powered by an internal combustion engine. Take the Macan powered by the 261-hp 2.0-liter turbo, for instance. That isn't the fastest Macan, either, but it feels like a Porsche. There's a certain character to it: the sound, the surge, the connection to the road. It's the DNA we expect to be baked into every model bearing the rearing horse crest, electrified or otherwise—an experience that the otherwise competent Macan 4 didn't quite deliver.
Reuters
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- Reuters
Google, Volvo Cars deepen partnership to develop Android software for vehicles
May 21 (Reuters) - Volvo Cars and Alphabet's Google said on Wednesday the Swedish carmaker was now the lead development partner for Android automotive software, which should give its buyers access to new versions long before they are available via car industry rivals. "We're going to be able to be fast in bringing new capabilities, new features and new experiences to our customers," Alwin Bakkenes, Volvo's ( opens new tab head of global software engineering, told Reuters. "This really gives us an edge in building fantastic customer experiences." The two companies have been working together for a decade, but the deeper partnership means Google (GOOGL.O), opens new tab engineers will drive Volvo cars with the latest software to "experience how their product behaves in a real context much earlier and much faster", Bakkenes said. He said on average the auto industry was about two Android releases behind mobile phones, which "means things you can do on your mobile phone, in many cases you cannot do in the car". Volvo vehicles currently operate using Android 13, but at Google's I/O annual developer conference underway in Mountain View, California, the two companies are demonstrating Volvo's flagship EX90 electric SUV running on Android 15 - the latest version of Google's mobile operating system - which will roll out in production models later this year. "Others might have to wait two years to get" that latest version of Android, Bakkenes said. At the I/O conference the two companies also demonstrated Google's Gemini artificial intelligence model running in the EX90, which Volvo is going to roll out to cars with Google built-in. Bakkenes said rather than drivers having to search through their phones for their destination, they can ask Gemini to search their emails or messages for it. Or drivers can, for instance, ask Gemini to find recipes and then put a shopping list on their phone to create "a human-centric experience", Bakkenes said.
Phone Arena
19-05-2025
- Phone Arena
Xiaomi's about to show off what's next at its big event this week
Xiaomi is gearing up for a major week as it celebrates its 15th anniversary with a big launch event on May 22. The company plans to reveal a fresh lineup, including the new Xiaomi 15S Pro smartphone – an updated take on the Xiaomi 15 Pro – the Xiaomi Pad 7 Ultra tablet and its own self-developed smartphone chip, the Xring O1 . On top of all that mobile gear, Xiaomi will also introduce its first electric SUV, the Xiaomi YU7. Xiaomi's new self-developed chip, the Xring O1, is built on a 3nm process and is expected to land somewhere between the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and Gen 3 in terms of performance. Of course, we will really know how it performs once it is out and we get to put it through the tests ourselves. It should stick with standard Arm cores instead of Xiaomi's own custom cores and follows a 1+3+4 setup – that means one Prime core clocked at up to 3.2 GHz, three Performance cores at 2.5 GHz, and four Efficiency cores hitting 2 GHz. The new chip is expected to debut inside the upcoming Xiaomi 15S Pro. | Image credit – Xiaomi And the first phone likely to show off this chip? That would be the upcoming Xiaomi 15S Pro, launching right alongside it. The upcoming phone is expected to keep the same overall design as the rest of the Xiaomi 15 series, but with upgraded camera features as its main focus. The Xiaomi 15S Pro might also bring back a tech we haven't seen from the brand in years – Ultra Wideband (UWB). UWB could end up being one of the phone's most interesting features, and if it lands here, chances are we'll see it in more Xiaomi flagships going those unfamiliar, UWB is a short-range wireless tech that is becoming a standard on premium phones. You will find it on newer Google Pixel phones, every iPhone since the 11 and top-end Samsung Galaxy S and Z series Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, UWB spreads data across a wide frequency range using super low power, which helps it do things like precise device tracking and quick data transfers with almost zero but there is one more device scheduled for launch, remember? The Xiaomi Pad 7 Ultra. While details are still a bit under wraps, it is expected to be a powerhouse. The tablet will likely be powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4, a fresh chip from Qualcomm that sits above the 8 Gen 3 in performance and steps things up in efficiency specs also mention a big 14-inch LTPO display (now that is quite the display, right? My laptop has a smaller one!), 3.2K resolution and support for 120W fast charging. It is shaping up to be a serious flagship tablet. More info – including full details on Xiaomi's first in-house chip and everything else the company has got lined up – should drop at the launch event. Stay tuned for updates!
GSM Arena
19-05-2025
- GSM Arena
Xiaomi schedules major launch event for this week
Xiaomi is gearing up for a big product launch event later this week, which will coincide with the brand's 15th anniversary. Xiaomi confirmed that it will announce its Xiaomi 15S Pro – an updated version of the Xiaomi 15 Pro on May 22 alongside the Xiaomi Pad 7 Ultra and Xiaomi YU7 – the brand's first electric SUV. Xiaomi "New Starting Point" event poster The event is scheduled to begin at 7PM Beijing time (11AM UTC) and is titled 'New Starting Point' as there is one more highly important announcement: Xiaomi's new in-house smartphone chipset – Xring O1 (oh-one). Xiaomi's self-developed SoC will be fabbed on a 3nm process and reportedly offers performance comparable to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 with a 1+3+4 CPU configuration. Xiaomi Xring O1 key specs (machine translated) As per the most recent rumors, it will utilize a Cortex-X925 prime-core, three Cortex-A725 performance cores, and four Cortex-A520 efficiency units. We're also expecting an Imagination Technologies GPU and a 5G modem from Unisoc. Source (in Chinese)
