PORSCHE MACAN: THE TIGER IS COMING

Porsche Macan: a compact SUV that’s undoubtedly Porsche in its shape

Porsche Macan: a compact SUV that’s undoubtedly Porsche in its shape

Porsche Macan is the first compact SUV from the iconic German maker of sports vehicles. It joins an enormous number of SUVs of about the same size, including those from Audi, BMW and Mercedes. It’s no surprise that it looks to be the sportiest of them all.

Porsche tells us its Macan, “is poised to set new standards in the field of driving dynamics and enjoyment – on both paved streets and uneven terrain.” The former we have little reason to doubt, but we will have to drive a Macan on uneven terrain before commenting on the latter.

The name Macan comes from the Indonesian word for tiger. Given the current claws-and-all stoush between the Australian and Indonesian governments, the news that the Porsche ‘tiger’ is coming to Australia is well timed from a marketing point of view…

Macan SInterestingly, Porsche was one of the earliest users of 4WD, indeed may have been the first. A hundred and thirteen years ago, in 1900, Ferdinand Porsche used an all-wheel-drive system in the Lohner-Porsche racing car, which had four electric wheel-hub motors.

Porsche Macan will be produced at the company’s Leipzig plant in Germany.

Porsche_Macan_interiorThere’s a strong family resemblance between the Porsche Macan and its big brother Porsche Cayenne. Indeed, the stylists have given us many design elements from other Porsche sports cars. The fashionably large grille takes the bulk out of the front, while still giving the Macan a recognisably Porsche bonnet and headlights look.

The sloping roof is probably designed more for cruising at 175 km/h all day than in providing maximum cargo space. While high-speed aero looks are largely wasted in Australia, those who get the chance to visit the Northern Territory can enjoy what’s sure to be a great cruising experience.

Porsche Macan S is powered by a 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbo engine delivering 250 kW of power. This lets the Macan S accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds (5.2 seconds with the optional Sport Chrono package). These are sportscar numbers, which probably doesn’t come as a surprise given the Macan’s roots.

European NEDC fuel consumption figures for the Macan S are between 9.0 and 8.7 litres per hundred kilometres. Its CO2 emissions figures range from 212 to 204 grams per kilometre.

The Porsche Macan S Diesel has 3.0-litre V6 engine that puts out 190 kW. Its NEDC numbers are just 6.3 and 6.1 litres per hundred, which corresponds to CO2 emissions of 164 to 159 g/km.

Despite the low fuel use Porsche Macan S Diesel accelerates from 0 to 100 km in just 6.3 seconds (6.1 seconds with the Sport Chrono) on its way to a top speed of 230 km/h.

Porsche says its Macan Turbo will be the most powerful vehicle in the compact SUV segment when it arrives in Australia. The 3.6-litre V6 twin turbo engine, which is being used in a Porsche for the first time, puts out 294 kW (400 horsepower). It launches the Macan Turbo from 0 to 100 km/h in only 4.8 seconds, or just 4.6 seconds when a Sport Chrono package is installed. Don’t forget this is a compact SUV we’re talking about here, not a lightweight drag-racing coupe.

Every model has Porsche’s seven-speed double-clutch PDK transmission with shifter paddles for driver overrides.

The latest evolution of Porsche Traction Management (PTM) helps make the best use of the power on offer. Vectoring Plus distributes the ideal levels of drive torque to the rear wheels and works in conjunction with an electronically controlled rear-axle differential lock.

An interesting feature is Porsche Dynamic Light System Plus (PDLS Plus), which continuously adjusts the headlight level in keeping with the traffic ahead and any oncoming traffic.

The new Porsche Macan S, Macan S Diesel and Macan Turbo will arrive in Australia midway through 2014. Prices and exact specifications will be released closer to that time.

About Ewan Kennedy

Ewan Kennedy, a long-time car enthusiast, was Technical Research Librarian with the NRMA from 1970 until 1985. He worked part-time as a freelance motoring journalist from 1977 until 1985, when he took a full-time position as Technical Editor with Modern Motor magazine. Late in 1987 he left to set up a full-time business as a freelance motoring journalist. Ewan is an associate member of the Society of Automotive Engineers - International. An economy driving expert, he set the Guinness World Record for the greatest distance travelled in a standard road vehicle on a single fuel fill. He lists his hobbies as stage acting, travelling, boating and reading.
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