Porsche Reveals New Macan Porsche’s best-selling vehicle, launched in 2014, has received a facelift…
Porsche has revealed the new Macan in Shanghai, highlighting the importance of the Chinese market to the German manufacturer. Launched in 2014, the Macan SUV is Porsche’s best-selling vehicle, with more than 350,000 deliveries recorded since launch – 100,000 of those have been sold to the Chinese market.
As expected the new Macan follows in the footsteps of the latest Panamera and Cayenne with its exterior design language – it represents an evolutionary step not revolutionary one – subtle changes to the bumpers are amongst the biggest differentiators. Like its latest stablemates, the new Macan features a distinctive three-dimensional LED light strip across its rear end, while adaptive Porsche Dynamic Light System Plus (PDLS) headlights are available as an option out front.
Inside the Macan has been brought into line with Porsche’s latest technological advents, with improvements to cabin functionality and aesthetics. The centrepiece of this is the introduction of an 11-inch (up four-inches over the old car) full HD touchscreen Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system – the latest PCM.
The Macan receives the now familiar rising centre console with (just like the old version) an array of buttons, this differs from the smartphone-style instrument panel found in the latest Panamera. Just as in the Panamera and Cayenne though, the user interface on the infotainment system can be customised. The air vents have been re-designed and are now positioned below the PCM. For the first time drivers can specify a GT sports steering wheel, with a 911-style ‘mode’ switch as part of the optional Sports Chrono Package.
Porsche claims to have further fine-tuned what was already an exceptional chassis and all-wheel drive system, maintaining stability and improving comfort. The Macan retains its staggered wheel and tyre sizes with the rear axle boasting a larger footprint than the front – newly developed tyres with improved performance will be wrapped around new 20- and 21-inch wheel designs.
A bunch of fresh colours will also be on offer including; Miami Blue, Mamba Green Metallic, Dolomite Silver Metallic and Crayon. Porsche also promises a wider range of possibilities when it comes to personalisation. A new Traffic Jam Assist function uses adaptive cruise control at speeds under 37mph to partially assist drivers with autonomous acceleration and braking. This new system can also steer the Macan in slow-moving traffic. Further new adverts include an ioniser system to clean the air within the cabin together with a heated windscreen option.
Porsche is presently tight-lipped about which engines we can expect to find in the new Macan, however, we expect these to mimic closely what is currently on offer to UK buyers. That means a high probability of a 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder for the Macan, a 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine for the Macan S, and a 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 engine as used by the current Turbo model.
We foresee that a diesel will not be offered but we do expect a GTS version to appear, though it’s unlikely we’ll see it at launch. The new Macan shares its underpinnings with the Audi Q5, it looks increasingly unlikely that we’ll see a Hybrid version of either in this iteration.
