The new Porsche Macan has received the top five-star rating in Euro NCAP testing. The four-door sports model impressed, scoring top marks in all categories of the tests. To ensure the high level of safety of its vehicles, Porsche is constantly developing and testing new assistance systems, whose performance far exceeds legal requirements.
By scoring five stars, the new, all-electric Porsche Macan secured the best possible overall rating in the Euro NCAP (New Car Assessment Programme). This is a standardised testing procedure aimed at evaluating and comparing vehicle safety. Every two to three years, the criteria are revised and the requirements are constantly increasing.
Most recently in the Euro NCAP tests, Macan proved to be one of the safest models in 2024. Around 150 development, engineering and test engineers were involved in the development and integration of the safety assistance systems of the new model, the process having taken around three years.
“In the development of these systems, Porsche always goes far beyond the minimum legal requirements to optimise safety,” says Björn Kern, an expert in active safety systems at Porsche.
For example, the emergency brake assist system in the Macan processes data from the front camera, the central radar and the radars in the front corners. Based on the minimum legal requirements, the front camera would be sufficient. By combining the radars with the cameras, the field of view is increased and the area of intervention is greatly expanded. With this system, the Macan also defuses complex situations such as driving in the dark, with pedestrians appearing from blind spots, or turning at intersections.
Emergency brake assist and exit warning system
“The biggest challenge is to increase confidence in the systems. One only becomes aware of the risks when it is almost too late and a critical situation is already imminent,” says Kern.
The Macan assistance system’s escalation strategy is to have the vehicle emit a warning while the driver still has room to react. If the driver does not intervene, the assistance system automatically applies the brakes in order to limit the impact of a collision or prevent the collision altogether.
“The performance of the Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) system was adequate in response tests with other vehicles. In several tests, collisions were avoided,” stated Euro NCAP. The test positively emphasises the effective protection offered by the system to pedestrians and cyclists.
The Macan’s Lane Departure Warning function and Lane Departure Warning Assist offer an equally important safety benefit. Combined, the two systems increase safety, especially on motorways. Another innovation: the exit warning system provides visual reminders at every exit from the vehicle for road users approaching from behind. When there is a risk of a collision, for example with a cyclist, the assistance system slows down the door opening, thus minimising the risk.
Fatigue and distraction also often lead to accidents. When the driver shows signs of increasing fatigue, the break recommendation suggests taking a rest. The recommendation is based on an analysis of in-lane driving behaviour. In the future, in-cab camera systems will detect micro-sleep and visual distraction. This further enhances safety, although ultimate responsibility always lies with the driver.
During Euro NCAP testing, vehicles spend around six to eight weeks on the test track, in the laboratory and on the road. Four out of six test vehicles are destroyed in crash tests. Safety assistance systems are tested in high-precision driving tests with the help of robots. In this case, the Macan scored an impressive 78 per cent. Euro NCAP scores the protection of vulnerable road users at 83 per cent and the protection of passengers and children at 90 per cent.
A.I. Motokinisi Ltd is the exclusive dealer of Porsche cars in Cyprus, with showrooms in Nicosia and Limassol.