Porsche has unveiled the eagerly awaited Macan small SUV at the LA Motor Show this week, hoping that it will make them into an even bigger global player with over 200,000 annual sales worldwide.
Based on the Audi Q5, the Macan follows the tried and tested route of the Cayenne – base a large volume selling car on an existing platform to save money, watch profits soar. The Macan will be built in Porsche’s Leipzig plant, separately from the Q5 but a lot of the floorpan, bulkheads, body structure, driveline, chassis and electrical components are shared making the Macan much cheaper to produce.
Visually the Macan obviously takes most of its inspiration from the Cayenne with a very similar front end. In fact to most of the buying public there would appear to be little difference between the two, bar scale. There are intake vents similar to those seen on the facelifted Panamera and a large slatted grille but otherwise standard Porsche SUV stuff. At the rear the Macan takes on a life of its own though, with 918-style slim rear lights and a steeply raked rear screen giving a more sporting stance to the styling, similar in concept to the Audi Q3.
Engine-wise the Macan will have three engine options, all powering all four wheels through a seven speed dual clutch PDK gearbox as standard. There is the Macan S, powered by a 3.0 litre twin turbo V6 engine in petrol or diesel guise. The petrol version makes 335 bhp and 339 lb/ft of torque, with 0 – 62 mph taking 5.4 seconds on the way to a 158 mph top speed, while the diesel engine (likely to be the biggest seller) produces 254 bhp and 427 lb/f of torque for a 0 – 62 mph time of 6.3 seconds and a 143 mph top speed.
At the top of the range sits the Macan Turbo, with a twin turbo 3.6 litre V6 engine producing 394 bhp and 405 lb/ft of torque. This gives the Turbo a 0 – 62 mph time of 4.8 seconds and a 158 mph top speed. There are more powerplants in the works too, including a 2.0 litre turbo 4-cylinder engine in the base Macan, with 280 bhp in petrol form and around 200 bhp in diesel form.
The Macan is no lightweight sportscar though, weighing in at 1865 kg for the Macan S and 1925 kg for the Macan Turbo. The Macan goes on sale in April 2014 and will cost £43,300 for either Macan S, or £59,300 for the Macan Turbo.
For a chance to win your Dream Car, enter here
Related Posts:
Porsche reveals the 911 Turbo and Turbo S Cabriolet
LA Motor Show: Jaguar F-Type & F-Type R Coupe
2014 Audi S8 revealed
BMW reveals the new 4-Series
Mercedes unveils the hot S-Class – the S63 AMG
Powered by Contextual Related Posts