Dreaming Up A Sub-$100k Compact Electric Porsche Sedan: A Gamble Worth Taking?

The Potential Tesla Model 3 Challenger

We know the Macan EV is already available to order with deliveries starting in the second half of 2024. With this, we can conclude that Porsche is already offering a Tesla Model Y competitor. The Model Y is the most popular Tesla, with 1.22 million units sold. Tesla’s smaller SUV is closely followed by the Model 3, with just over 1.2 million sales since its introduction. Both models also share the same platform and e-motor configurations.

What makes the Tesla Model 3 such an alluring proposition in the EV segment is the combination of spacious interior with class-leading cargo capacity, potent powertrain options, and a low starting price. For 2024, the Tesla Model 3 has a starting MSRP of $40,630 while the range-topping Model 3 Performance is set at $54,630. At the same time, even the base Model 3 sprints to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds while the Model 3 Performance needs a supercar-like 2.9 seconds for the sprint.

Porsche’s new entry-level EV

In essence, Porsche’s Tesla 3 Model rival should be a scaled-down Taycan. Back in 2015, we learned of a concept for a smaller Porsche sedan, dubbed the Porsche Pajun (Panamera Junior), which looked like a smaller Panamera with a slightly more pronounced, three-box body style. Alongside the Panamera, what we ended up getting is the Taycan, which is a direct competitor to the Tesla Model S.

What could the entry-level Porsche EV sedan be called?

As far as the name of this smaller Porsche sedan goes, there aren’t many clues. The 2015 Pajun concept was to be a smaller Panamera, but if the German marque is cooking up an entry-level EV sedan, it would likely be a name closer to the Taycan. It will, most certainly, not be a number since no four-door Porsche was ever named with three letters, unlike the marque’s sports cars.

How might Porsche balance price, performance, and luxury?

Porsche is a high-end sports car manufacturer and while it offers superior bang for the buck compared to, let’s say, Ferrari or McLaren, things are a lot different when it stacks up against Tesla’s offerings. If Porsche is to compete with Tesla price-wise, it will need to use an existing platform. At this point, it is without question Porsche’s entry-level electric sedan would ideally share the Macan EV platform, which also happens to underpin the Porsche Taycan and Audi e-Tron GT.

The Porsche Macan starts at $80,450 while the range-topping Macan EV Turbo has an MSRP of $106,950. Both, the Tesla Model 3 ($33,990) and Model Y ($31,490) are priced around the same. Being a luxury brand we’ll need to wait and see if Porsche will follow a similar strategy or if they can offer a compact all-electric sedan at a slightly lower price point. $65,000 could be the sweet spot, putting it in line with Porsche’s current cheapest model on sale.

The powertrain options should not disappoint

The Porsche Macan EV should give us a good idea of what powertrain options we can expect from a sub-$100,000 Porsche EV sedan. A base powertrain with 402 horsepower and a range-topping variant with 630 horsepower should give the Porsche sedan comparable performance to the Model 3. Unlike the Macan EV, which comes with all-wheel drive as standard, the entry-level electric Porsche sedan could have the option of detuned rear-wheel-drive only with a smaller battery pack, similar to the base Taycan.

The Macan EV’s 800-Volt architecture provides charging with up to 270 kW. With the proper charging station, you can get 10 to 80 percent battery charge in just 21 minutes, which would make Porsche’s EV sedan one of the quickest-charging electric vehicles. Porsche EVs can also soon tap into Tesla’s supercharger network, which is the gold standard when it comes to charging. As for range, the new EV sedan by Porsche should on paper be capable of around 380-400 miles on a single charge with the same 100-kWh battery as the Macan EV since the Macan EV’s taller statute plays against it, only managing 321-381 miles of range.

Porsche’s heritage will play a key role

Porsche has been dabbling with the idea of four-door models since the 50s and made several prototypes like the 989 seen above. So clearly, the pedigree is there. As for its market positioning today, Porsche is not an affordable brand, and as such, it will never be able to compete with Tesla on price alone. What Porsche has is rich performance car and motorsport heritage, and a loyal community to match. Because of this, Porsche people likely won’t hesitate to pay extra instead of going for a more affordable, Tesla. Porsche is revered as a company where engineers still have at least some say in how to make a proper car, even if it’s electric. Given the Taycan’s success, a smaller, lighter EV sedan, based on the same concept, will likely be welcomed by enthusiasts.

Spicing things up with unique customer experience and customization options

Porsche’s attention to detail and driver-centric approach to its cars is ever-present in the marque’s model offering. Customization options like Porsche’s Paint to Sample program, allowing for discontinued or custom colors, and the Sonderwunsch program, which allows for additional customization options, should make your customer experience that much more special. For some reason, I would love to see a Porsche EV sedan with the Gulf livery as blasphemous as it may sound.

Can Porsche redefine luxury with a sub-$100,000 EV sedan?

Porsche has proven on many occasions that nothing is impossible and this also includes electrifying the Porsche 911 without being sacrilegious. The cheapest Porsche sedan that you can buy today is the entry-level Taycan which carries a starting MSRP of $99,400, excluding destination charges and dealer markups, etc. Besides the Model 3, with more high-performance models now coming to market, including Hyundai’s IONIQ 6 N, now would be the perfect time for a lighter, more compact, Porsche EV sedan. The German automaker could play on its strengths of offering exceptional design, superior build quality, and a premium car experience catering to a loyal community at a slightly more affordable price.