Dr Manfred Bräunl, Chief Executive Officer at Porsche Middle East and Africa FZE, says the Macan has been a staple model in the Porsche range since its premiere in 2014 and gains new admirers with each generation: “Close to 8,000 owners in the GCC speak for the success of our compact SUV, the majority buying a Porsche for the first time. Thanks to its Porsche DNA based on the 70-year know-how of building benchmark sports cars, this model has transformed our business allowing us to dare forward. The Macan has become the GCC’s second most popular Porsche and with new updates and enhancements, the latest model is poised to continue this success.”
A new, turbocharged four-cylinder engine provides the basis for the entry-level Macan with 195 kW (265 PS) of power. It accelerates from zero to 100km/h in 6.2 seconds and has a top speed of 232km/h. The new Macan S has been further refined with its 2.9-litre, V6, biturbo engine now developing 20 kW (26 PS) more power, offering 280 kW (380 PS) which propels it to 100km/h in 4.6 seconds and on to a top speed of 259km/h. The flagship Macan GTS unleashes an extra 44 kW (60 PS) over the previous version with 324 kW (440 PS) that brings its 0 to 100km/h time down to 4.3 seconds while reaching a maximum speed of 272 km/h. All models come equipped with Porsche’s seven-speed, dual-clutch transmission (PDK) and Porsche’s Traction Management (PTM) all-wheel-drive system as standard. A further optimized chassis allows the new Macan to respond quicker and more accurately to changing driving situations and road conditions.
Bräunl added: “Each Macan model has its own distinct character with a growing range of visual highlights that complement its performance underpinnings. The result is more than just a sporty SUV. It’s a four-door sports car with emotive, high-revving engines, offering driving fun, comfort and luxury individualization options making it a Porsche through and through.”
Visually, the new Macan features a redesigned nose with an inlay in its exterior colour to emphasise its width, while the GTS centre nose section is finished in black. LED headlights with the Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS) and Sport Design exterior mirrors are now standard on all models and the rear is rounded off with a striking diffuser.
A total of 14 colours are available including the new Papaya Metallic and Gentian Blue Metallic, as well as Python Green for the Macan GTS with the GTS Sport package. Seven new, larger wheel designs have been added to the range which now begins with 19-inch rims for the Macan, 20-inch versions on the Macan S and 21-inch GT design wheels with performance tyres for the Macan GTS. Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur significantly expands the design freedoms for Macan that is virtually limited only by the owner’s imagination.
Balancing its performance credentials with comfort, Macan adopts the new multifunction and GT Sport steering wheel from the 911, while the Porsche Communication Management system can now be controlled either by voice commands or via the 10.9-inch, HD touch display.
The interior has been substantially enhanced with a modern and elegantly designed centre console that incorporates a new operating concept which makes use of touch surfaces instead of tactile buttons. A shorter selector lever sits in the centre of the control module and an analogue clock is now standard equipment, mounted at the top of the dashboard. A number of leather upholstery and contrasting seam packages in Gentian Blue, Papaya or Crayon are also optionally available to add new colour highlights to the interior.
Besides the dynamic benefits and black highlights on the exterior, the GTS Sport package also contains exclusive equipment inside including 18-way sport seats, a Carbon interior package, Race-Tex upholstery with extended leather elements, contrast stitching and GTS lettering in Python Green.
The new, third generation Macan is now available for order with first unites set to arrive end of this year.