Audi & Porsche Test Mules Preview Possible ICE Powered Macan and Q6

For months, Porsche has been making headlines with the upcoming all-electric Macan EV, but recent news suggests that the brand isn’t done with internal combustion powertrains yet. New images captured during cold-weather testing indicate that a refreshed, gasoline-powered Macan is still in the works, defying initial claims that the compact SUV would transition exclusively to electric power and that the new platform would not even support gas engine variants.

The camouflaged prototype caught testing resembles the Audi Q6 e-tron, which already shares its platform with the new EV Macan. The Macan historically shared its underpinnings with the Audi Q5, but the new Macan EV is now a platform partner to Audi’s Q6 e-tron. Should Porsche keep gasoline power in the crossover lineup, it raises the question of whether Audi might do the same for its own electric crossovers such as the Q6 e-tron, or the smaller Q4 e-tron.

What’s most intriguing is Porsche’s decision to keep a gasoline-powered variant on the table, despite the Macan EV’s highly anticipated launch. With global emissions regulations tightening, many assumed that Porsche’s internal combustion Macan would quietly fade away. Instead, these spy photos suggest that Porsche sees an opportunity to continue offering their models with support for dual powertrain options. The Audi test vehicle was caught driving with a convoy of other Porsche models, most likely test mules for the ICE Macan.

While official confirmation from Porsche & Audi remains elusive, the spy photos make one thing clear: the internal combustion engine is still relevant to both brands. Whether this is a short-term play or a longer-term strategy remains to be seen, but for now, enthusiasts who appreciate the sound and feel of a gasoline-powered Macan still have something to look forward to.