Porsche Macan review

What exactly is it?

Another Porsche SUV. The diesel S and S equally price GBP43,300 before choices along with You will be set by the Turbo straight back GBP59,300.

Technical highlights?

Don't worry, we're definitely not planning to mention Vw's all-conquering MQB stage again. As a result, it's essentially a half-sister for the present Audi Q5 - truly, Porsche's engineers are thrilled to accept both automobiles share around a third of their underbody parts.

The engines are recognizable. The two petrol V6s equally have dual turbochargers and discuss cylinder bore measurements, although distinct throws and compression ratios provides the 'S' 3-litres of displacement along with the Turbo 3.6-litres.

The Macan is accessible with both metal and air springs, in addition to the the alternative of PASM adaptive dampers.
Porsche Macan

How can this drive?

Ignore the Porsche badge to get an instant and also the Macan is unambiguously striking. It doesn't sense to be a Sport Utility Vehicle in the slightest - from the driver's seat you may as properly be piloting a tall and incredibly well-sorted hatchback.

Considering the Macan's mass and peak, spin is unusually nicely included, even using the chassis made in its softest options. Our evaluation automobiles were wearing winter tires, but traction degrees were striking along with the direction is both precise and good-weighted, even when responses feels a small anaesthetized.

The petrol 'S' is lots quickly, and it revs keenly and with virtually no interim even though the motor can't rally much of a soundtrack. The Turbo provides a sizeable additional lot of operation plus a much harder-edged soundtrack, using its chassis additionally locating clearly more traction on slick surfaces. An expanse of Autobahn showed it could hasten to the 240km/h limitation of the winter tires in impressively short-order - the claimed 165miles per hour top rate seems wholly possible.

If you're new to the trade name, or fresh-out of still another Sport Utility, then it likely will - the Macan does sense much sharper than any of its own competitors, as well as dynamically the larger and pricier Cayenne. But despite the advertising claims, it's maybe not a sports car.

How can this compare?

Porsche has cleverly placed the Macan to overlap with mid sized superior opponents; it's easy to see purchasers contemplating a best-spec Audi Q5 or BMW x 3 selecting to get a Porsche badge as an alternative. Interestingly the firm reckons the S will be nearly as well-known as the diesel in britain; it surely deserves to be - it's got way more character and operating prices should still be fair. The Turbo is substantially quicker, and doesn't have any noticeable direct competitors, but it doesn't include a great deal a lot more than additional handle and speed to the driving expertise.
Porsche Macan

Anything else I ought to know?

Porsche reckons it's going to sell 50,000 Macans a twelvemonth globally. That amount seems negative to us; we'd be really surprised if it doesn't out sell the Cayenne (which handled 80,000 last yr) in the lengthier run. The variety is going to be extended with four-cylinder variations in a number of years, and Porsche insiders additionally verify they have been taking care of an even quicker variation, likely to hold a Gt-s badge.

Video preview the 2014 Porsche Macan