Sporty flagship SUV now enhanced in terms of design, comfort, connectivity and driving dynamics.
25 Jul 2018 | 2520 Views | By Autocar Professional Bureau
Porsche has unveiled the new version of its compact SUV. The Macan, a big seller for the German sportscar maker since its launch in 2014, has now been enhanced in terms of design, comfort, connectivity and driving dynamics, resulting in the model remaining as the sporty flagship in its segment.
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Porsche has unveiled the new version of its compact SUV. The Macan, a big seller for the German sportscar maker since its launch in 2014, has now been enhanced in terms of design, comfort, connectivity and driving dynamics, resulting in the model remaining as the sporty flagship in its segment.
The new Macan features a three-dimensional LED tail-light strip and LED headlights as standard. The most striking innovations inside the vehicle include the 11-inch, full-HD touchscreen of the new Porsche Communication Management (PCM), re-designed and re-positioned air vents and the GT sports steering wheel familiar from the 911. The PCM also enables access to new digital functions, such as intelligent voice control. The vehicle’s range of comfort equipment has also been expanded to include an ioniser and windscreen heating.
The new Macan now has an even sportier and modern appearance, as a result of changes to the exterior. Numerous details reflect the DNA of the iconic 911 and the 918 Spyder sports cars, including headlights featuring LED technology as standard. The Macan’s high-quality lighting system which features modules with a three-dimensional design can be further optimised if desired with the Porsche Dynamic Light System Plus (PDLS) that adaptively controls light distribution.
The front end of the Macan has also been re-worked, now appearing wider, while the comprehensive overhaul at the rear builds on the sleek design of the previous model. The three-part, three-dimensional LED light strip at the rear represents another typical Porsche design feature. The four-point design of the brake lights also reflects the brand’s identity.
GT sports steering wheel and ioniser
The new Macan’s link to the 911 is further emphasised in the interior of the model with the optional GT sports steering wheel. The mode switch plus Sport Response Button integrated into the steering wheel is also showcased in the compact SUV as part of the optional Sports Chrono Package. Porsche has extended the list of comfort options to include a heated windscreen and an ioniser to improve the air quality in the interior.
Through the new Porsche Communication Management (PCM), the Macan offers total connectivity and numerous digital functions. Above the typical Porsche rising centre console, a full-HD touchscreen enlarged from seven to eleven inches has been incorporated seamlessly into the newly designed instrument panel. Similar to the Panamera and Cayenne, the user interface on the infotainment system can be customised using predefined tiles. The air vents have also been re-designed and are now positioned below the central screen.
Each Macan is equipped with a Connect Plus module, making every vehicle fully networked as standard. Using the new Offroad Precision App, it is also possible to record and analyse off-road driving experiences in the model.
Optimised chassis with new tyres and wheels
The new Macan’s optimised chassis delivers enhanced neutrality while maintaining stability and improving comfort. Although unusual for the SUV segment, the Macan still features mixed tyres with different widths on the front and rear axles. As with Porsche sports cars, this arrangement enables the driver to take full advantage of the intelligent, all-wheel drive Porsche Traction Management (PTM) when it comes to driving dynamics. Newly developed tyres with improved performance characteristics enable even better lateral dynamics for enhanced driving pleasure, while the new 20 and 21-inch wheels also offer greater scope to customise the design.
The Macan SUV is one of the fastest-selling Porsche models in the company's history, but faces stiff competition in the premium SUV class from the Audi Q5, BMW X4, Jaguar F-Pace and Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupé.
Since 2014, Porsche has sold over 350,000 Macans and with over 100,000 deliveries to date, the model is especially popular in the Chinese market where Porsche unveiled the redesigned compact SUV. The version of the model presented in Shanghai will be offered exclusively in the Chinese market. A range of Macan derivatives will be launched for other regions in due course, says Porsche.
The pre-facelift Macan in India retails from Rs 80.38 lakh to Rs 1.52 crore (ex-showroom, India) and comes in two variants –the 252hp, Macan petrol and the range-topping 440hp, Macan Turbo.
Also see: 2019 Porsche Macan facelift image gallery
Porsche's global sales up 3 percent to 130,598 cars in first half 2018