This Audi Q5 Might Truly Be The Upcoming ICE Porsche Macan | Carscoops

      Porsche may utilize the revamped Q5 as the foundation for a new gasoline-powered Macan.

      It appears that Porsche is currently assessing the newly released Audi Q5, which made its debut last fall. This SUV could form the basis for the upcoming generation of the internal combustion engine Macan. The existing Macan has historical ties to the original Q5, although it has undergone considerable modifications.

      Audi unveiled the redesigned Q5 last fall, making it somewhat surprising that spy photographers recently spotted a prototype being tested in cold conditions. However, there seems to be more to this scenario than is immediately apparent.

      Notably, the Q5 stood out since it was part of a larger testing group involving Porsche, which included the Cayenne EV and a 911. According to spies, the group also featured a Boxster and a Macan.

      Considering this, it seems evident that Porsche is the one testing the Q5, rather than Audi. This raises some questions, as spy photographers suggest that the Q5 will underpin the next-generation Macan, which would make sense given that the first-generation Macan is over ten years old and shares a close lineage with the original Q5.

      Although Porsche recently launched the Macan Electric, the company has come to realize that the adoption of electric vehicles is occurring more slowly than anticipated, with many customers still preferring gasoline options. This realization has led to the announcement of an “expansion of the product portfolio to include additional vehicle models with combustion engines or plug-in hybrids.”

      The company did not provide further details, but there was an initial belief that electric variants, such as the forthcoming Boxer, would be adapted to accommodate additional powertrains. However, this might not be true, as this would potentially represent a completely different model.

      At this stage, the situation remains unclear, but the Q5 appears to be in its standard form. However, if this is a prototype for the Macan, one can expect modifications in the future, along with full prototypes in the coming months and years. This indicates that the model is still in development, but basing the crossover on an existing vehicle might accelerate progress and lower expenses.

      While we remain cautious about these developments, the redesigned Q5 is built on the new Premium Platform Combustion and features mild-hybrid technology. In Europe, it offers 2.0-liter TFSI and TDI engines producing 201 hp (150 kW / 204 PS), as well as a 3.0-liter TFSI V6 delivering 362 hp (270 kW / 367 PS). All variants come with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and a mild-hybrid system capable of providing an extra 24 hp (18 kW / 24 PS) for brief intervals.