Adib Noor
The latest generation of the Porsche Macan features a sportier exterior design along with extreme performance to back it up, thanks to Porsche’s newly-developed inline four-cylinder turbo engine providing power that can be accessed with each push of the pedal.
The all-new Macan is a force to be reckoned with, as it is designed with the intention to position itself as the sports car in the SUV class market.
The exterior and interior of the new Macan have been further sharpened and optimised.
The large nose panel features balanced proportions and is painted in exterior colour, blending in harmoniously with the cooling air intakes. The nose incorporates a new 3D design in the centre cooling air intake below the grille.
In addition, the headlights are equipped as standard with LED technology and the Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS).
This includes a dynamic cornering light, which swivels the main headlights into the bend, depending on steering angle and driving speed.
The PDLS also features automatic headlight range control, speed-dependent driving light control and an adverse weather function.
There are also optional darkened headlights on the Macan and Macan S, while they are standard on the Macan GTS.
Like the new nose, the Macan’s rear apron also features a refined and technical design.
The new 3D elements are repeated with the diffuser, which has also been extended upwards and has integrated reflectors.
As before, the designers have incorporated the tail light clusters with their three-dimensional light graphics into a light bar.
On the sides of the vehicle, the 3D-look side blades in particular create new highlights.
The side blades are optionally available in exterior colour or with a carbon or high-gloss black finish.
The exterior mirrors have a V-shaped base finished entirely in body colour, rounding off the appearance of the new Macan.
Further modifications have also been implemented in areas that are not visible: smaller air intakes, closed holes on the bottom of the vehicle and improved underbody protection promote a favourable air flow and therefore optimise the aerodynamic design. Although not visible, the design makes a significant difference when driving the all new Macan.
When it comes to performance, all versions of the Macan come with significantly more power than their predecessors.
The sporty flagship of the successful SUV line-up, the Macan GTS, sits at the top of the range. Its 2.9-litre biturbo V6 now delivers 324 kW (440 PS).
With the responsiveness and power delivery that characterises Porsche GTS cars, it completes the 0 to 100 km/h sprint in 4.3 seconds when fitted with the Sport Chrono package and reaches a top speed of 272 km/h.
The Macan S is now also equipped with a 2.9-litre V6 biturbo engine that produces 20 kW (26 PS) more power than before, with 280 kW (380 PS). This propels the vehicle from a standstill to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds and has a top speed of up to 259 km/h.
Meanwhile, the newly-developed turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine with 195 kW (265 PS) serves as the entry point to the Macan world. The models which we got to test drive complete the 0 to 100 km/h sprint in 6.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 232 km/h. As before, all engines are coupled to the seven-speed Porsche dual-clutch transmission (PDK) and the Porsche Traction Management (PTM) all-wheel-drive system.
The interior of the Macan has also been extensively revamped. The newly-designed centre console is the main focus of the new features. Here, touch-sensitive surfaces replace conventional switches. Clearly arranged and intuitive control panels are located at the sides of the new selector lever, which has been shortened by 15 mm. Below, there is an open stowage compartment, with a larger capacity than before.
As before, there is a 10.9-inch full HD touch display above the console – the heart of the Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system. The analogue clock integrated on top of the dashboard is now a standard feature on the new Macan.
The Macan also offers full connectivity via the PCM and therefore has a permanent mobile network connection. Online navigation comes as standard, as do, among other features, voice control, a Wi-Fi hotspot and the Porsche Connect App. Apple CarPlay and the Offroad Precision App are also available as options. On request, smartphones can be inductively charged in the stowage compartment under the centre armrest.
What caught our eye however is the revamped steering wheel range, with new sports steering wheels previously found in the 911 and Panamera with a diameter of 360 or 375 mm respectively, and evoke the design of motorsport steering wheels even more strongly with their visual openings. The controls of the multifunction touch surfaces are elegantly incorporated in them. In addition, the steering wheels also feature a new Mode switch.
The driver and front passenger sit on eight-way-adjustable comfort seats as standard in the Macan. These seats are covered with leatherette and Sport-Tex fabric. All Macan models can be optionally equipped with 14-way comfort seats, which are also covered with smooth-finish leather, or the optional adaptive 18-way sport seats with bespoke seat centre seam pattern and raised side bolsters.
The interior is finished in black as standard, with leather packages in different colours available as options. The new contrasting seam packages in the car we tested came with Gentian Blue, and it was shared that other colours available were Papaya or Crayon.
The leather packages can be individualised further with products from Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur. The options here include decorative seam packages and seat centre panels in contrasting leather colours. Different interior packages also offer a host of design possibilities.
These include finishes in aluminium or black brushed aluminium, high-gloss black, carbon, burr walnut, chestnut anthracite or the vehicle’s body colour.
Last but not least, the all new Macan comes standard with extensive convenience and driver assistance equipment. This includes Park Assist, with visual and acoustic warnings at both front and rear, while the existing assist systems have also been improved. Adaptive Cruise Control is now more sensitive than before, and Lane Keeping Assist features optimised lane centre guidance. As usual, Lane Change Assist, speed limit display, Porsche Entry & Drive, a heated windscreen and auxiliary heater with remote control are available as options on the new Macan.
