Subtle but significant revisions help the Porsche Macan keep pace in the compact premium SUV segment
The changes are subtle – apart from the colour – but you’re looking at the latest revision to Porsche’s strong-selling Macan SUV, revealed today in Shanghai.
There’s a good reason for that Chinese launch – more than 100,000 of the 350,000-plus Macans sold since its 2014 debut have found homes in China. The particular model shown here will be exclusive to the Chinese market, but other changes to the model will roll out across all markets.
That starts with subtle updates to the styling. Broadly, it’s still a Macan – and therefore still easier on the eye than the Cayenne – but it now echoes some of the elements found on its larger sibling, including a full-width LED light strip across the rear of the car.
The LED headlights too have been updated, now more closely resembling those on more recent Porsche models, while the adaptive Porsche Dynamic Light System Plus (PDLS) headlight set-up is available as an option.
Small tweaks to the bumpers freshen up the design, but without placing old and new Macans together you’ll need to be an expert to spot the differences. Easier to spot are the new colours, including Miami Blue, Mamba Green Metallic, Dolomite Silver and Crayon.
Porsche has made small adjustments to the chassis too, with claimed improvements in chassis balance and comfort, and Porsche notes that the car still maintains its unusual (for an SUV) staggered tyre setup, with wider rubber on the rear axle than at the front, and these tyres have been newly developed for the updated car. New 20- and 21-inch alloy wheel designs contribute to the visual changes.
Inside there are changes too, chiefly a new Porsche Communication Management (PCM) infotainment system based around an 11-inch HD touchscreen, up from 7in in the old car.
The eagle-eyed will note that this has pushed the central air vents below the new, wider screen (from their old position alongside it), though the centre console between the seats hasn’t followed the Panamera in ditching physical buttons.
Porsche has dropped the V6 diesel engine that made up a majority of sales, with the existing 252bhp 2-litre turbocharged four-cylinder and 351bhp turbocharged 3-litre V6 engines powering the Macan and Macan S. The Turbo has picked up the new 2.9-litre twin-turbocharged V6 engine, borrowed from the larger Cayenne S, and tops the range with 434bhp.
New technology includes a Traffic Jam Assist function for the adaptive cruise control, partially automating functions such as acceleration, braking and steering when in traffic below 59kph, an ioniser to improve air quality, a heated windscreen, and the option of a 911-style GT sports steering wheel.
No solid specification, pricing or on-sale date information has been confirmed by Porsche, but the new Macan will roll out to the European market later this year.
This article originally appeared at
evo.co.uk
