The new Porsche Macan: Agile and efficient

2018 was an all-important year for Porsche with 250,000 units delivered worldwide, and the Macan Sport SUV was an important part of this global achievement as the top selling model.

The Macan is a Porsche success story and always has been. After it’s world premiere in Los Angeles in November 2013, over 400,000 units were sold in the following five years.

Naresh Maharaj with the newly launched Porsche Macan

Back in South Africa, the Porsche Macan was the first ever SUV to win the coveted South African Guild of Motoring Journalists Car of the Year title in 2015.

The new Macan is set to continue this successful momentum through its latest evolution. This compact SUV has been comprehensively redesigned in terms of functionality, comfort and of course, performance.

Pure Porsche DNA

The exterior design showcases the pure Porsche DNA. At the front end, the side air intakes have been specially remodified. The horizontal headlights have also been arranged differently. The new Macan boasts LED headlights with the signature 4-pointed led daytime driving lights as standard.

The wheels have also been redesigned in 20- and 21-inch formats. Side blades in five different variants enable more personalisation which includes matt black, gloss black, aluminium and body colour.

Image by Naresh Maharaj

Owners of the new Macan can now express their personality as Porsche offers the SUV in four new body colours (Mango Green Metallic, Dolomite Silver Metallic, Crayon and Miami Blue).

One particularly new striking innovation is the three-dimensional LED taillight strip with an integrated four-point brake light. Both an established part of the Porsche brand identity.

In the interior, you will find greatly enhanced comfort and functionality. The New Porsche Communications Management (PCM) system is now operated via a 10.9" full HD touchscreen display, making it significantly larger. The entirely re-designed air ventilation nozzles sit underneath the screen rather than beside it, as in previous models.

Originating from the 918 Spider, the Sport Chrono package now comes with a mode switch that is handily placed on the steering wheel, which makes the selection of a mode that much easier. Hence the various driving modes of Normal, Sports, Sports Plus and Individual are right there at your fingertips. The steering wheel, seat surfaces, armrests and selector lever are all covered in Alcantara leather. Full leather is optional.

Standard features included are: Auto Stop-Start; Sport Button; Navigation Module; Voice Control; Apple Car Play; Sound Package; Mixed Tyres front and rear; Multi-Function Steering wheel; Lane Departure warning; Cruise Control; Park Assist front and rear

Under the bonnet

The new Macan was launched in two different engine options, with more derivatives to be offered at a later stage. The Macan comes to the starting line with an enhanced 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine. This unit produces 180kW (245 hp) and delivers a maximum torque of 370 Nm.

The Macan S is powered by a new V6 engine with 3.0-litre displacement and twin-scroll turbocharger in central turbo layout. The engine has a power output of 260kW (354 hp) and a torque of 480 Nm. As a result, the acceleration time from standstill to 100 km/h is reduced by 0.1 seconds to 5.1 seconds with the Sport Chrono Package, the top speed is reached at 254 km/h. Amazing!

Once behind the steering wheel, you cannot wait to get the SUV out into the open road. The Porsche Macan is very responsive, agile and efficient. The response is very direct when I pressed on the accelerator and once I got to a cruising speed of 120kmph, driving the Macan was a breeze.

The vehicle is equipped with a range of systems to ensure comfort and safety, some well-established and some new. Along with acoustic signals and park and reversing cameras - it all helps with safe parking. Lane change assists are offered as standard.

Verdict

The new Porsche Macan is poised to continue with the Macan success story. It has a captivating presence and appearance that is even more modern and dynamic whilst boasting the Porsche DNA.

Image by Naresh Maharaj

Selling price at launch: Macan (Base Model) R849,000 and Macan S: R1,149 000. Both include a 3-year/100,000km Porsche Drive Plan.