Porsche Macan Turbo PDK 3.6 (A) Review
29 Aug 2014|12,827 views
Just eight months ago, we had the opportunity to head down to Porsche's Leipzig plant where the new Macan was put together. It is also the birth place of the Panamera and Cayenne, as well as the marque's ex-halo car - the Carrera GT.
Optional 21-inch alloys add a wee bit of aggressiveness to the Macan
As much as purists and fans worldwide would love to see another pure breed sports car from the Stuttgart automaker (cue a junior two-seater that sits below the Boxster, or a V8 Grand Tourer to rival the likes of the Mercedes SLS and the Ferrari 458), the prospect of a compact SUV was simply too great to negate.
And it seems that the business acumen has been proven right. The local dealer has received no less than 280 orders since its launch. And now, the waiting list has been stretched to the end of the year.
As much as purists and fans worldwide would love to see another pure breed sports car from the Stuttgart automaker (cue a junior two-seater that sits below the Boxster, or a V8 Grand Tourer to rival the likes of the Mercedes SLS and the Ferrari 458), the prospect of a compact SUV was simply too great to negate.
And it seems that the business acumen has been proven right. The local dealer has received no less than 280 orders since its launch. And now, the waiting list has been stretched to the end of the year.
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Up close and Personal
Our reacquaintance with Porsche's junior SUV comes in the form of the Macan Turbo. This means the car has been 'suited' up with a slew of sportier-looking bits, such as larger air-scoops and quad squared-off tailpipes.
At the helm, the low seating position makes the Macan feel more like a crossover than a proper off-roader, which makes it more engaging to drive.
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Likewise on the inside, the now-familiar floating centre console creates a more driver-centric environment. And from the cabin, it certainly feels like Porsche is determined in making the Macan the sports car of its segment.
The Macan's interior is also prim and proper Porsche, with a premium level of fit and finish throughout. The slight qualm we have is the multitude of switches and buttons, which needs time to get used to.
Sports Chrono package shortens the gearbox's shift times and shaves 0.2 seconds off the Turbo's already quick century sprint timing to 4.6 seconds
The Drive
It seems to be a German 'thing' to fit sports car-like performance into everyday utility vehicles. Indeed, Porsche's current top-of-range Macan packs sumptuous performance - 400bhp and 550Nm of torque.
That is sufficient to see the 1.9-tonne SUV sprint from nought to 100km/h in a hot hatch-rivalling 4.8 seconds. While intervening laws of physics mean that you can't expect the Macan to handle like one, its on-road behaviour will certainly catch you by surprise.
The Macan's interior is also prim and proper Porsche, with a premium level of fit and finish throughout. The slight qualm we have is the multitude of switches and buttons, which needs time to get used to.
The Drive
It seems to be a German 'thing' to fit sports car-like performance into everyday utility vehicles. Indeed, Porsche's current top-of-range Macan packs sumptuous performance - 400bhp and 550Nm of torque.
That is sufficient to see the 1.9-tonne SUV sprint from nought to 100km/h in a hot hatch-rivalling 4.8 seconds. While intervening laws of physics mean that you can't expect the Macan to handle like one, its on-road behaviour will certainly catch you by surprise.
The steering is crisply sharp and induces such an intimate relationship with the driver that one will be able to tell exactly what the car is up to. As bold a statement as it may be, this car could well just be the best in its class in terms of its driveability.
Despite its heft, body roll is generally kept in check without harming the ride comfort, which means you will still be able to indulge in driving fun without complains from your passengers.
Bi-turbo 3.6-litre V6 promises hot hatch-rivalling performance with 400bhp and 550Nm of torque
Conclusion
There is no doubt that the Macan, in its most potent Turbo trim, is a serious piece of kit that combines the sporty driving characteristics of a Porsche with proper utility for the family.
The question is whether the extra horses (and bragging rights) in the Turbo is worth the almost $100k premium over the second-in-line Macan S which, in our opinion, is no less capable than the Turbo.
Despite its heft, body roll is generally kept in check without harming the ride comfort, which means you will still be able to indulge in driving fun without complains from your passengers.
Conclusion
There is no doubt that the Macan, in its most potent Turbo trim, is a serious piece of kit that combines the sporty driving characteristics of a Porsche with proper utility for the family.
The question is whether the extra horses (and bragging rights) in the Turbo is worth the almost $100k premium over the second-in-line Macan S which, in our opinion, is no less capable than the Turbo.
Just eight months ago, we had the opportunity to head down to Porsche's Leipzig plant where the new Macan was put together. It is also the birth place of the Panamera and Cayenne, as well as the marque's ex-halo car - the Carrera GT.
As much as purists and fans worldwide would love to see another pure breed sports car from the Stuttgart automaker (cue a junior two-seater that sits below the Boxster, or a V8 Grand Tourer to rival the likes of the Mercedes SLS and the Ferrari 458), the prospect of a compact SUV was simply too great to negate.
And it seems that the business acumen has been proven right. The local dealer has received no less than 280 orders since its launch. And now, the waiting list has been stretched to the end of the year.
As much as purists and fans worldwide would love to see another pure breed sports car from the Stuttgart automaker (cue a junior two-seater that sits below the Boxster, or a V8 Grand Tourer to rival the likes of the Mercedes SLS and the Ferrari 458), the prospect of a compact SUV was simply too great to negate.
And it seems that the business acumen has been proven right. The local dealer has received no less than 280 orders since its launch. And now, the waiting list has been stretched to the end of the year.
Up close and Personal
Our reacquaintance with Porsche's junior SUV comes in the form of the Macan Turbo. This means the car has been 'suited' up with a slew of sportier-looking bits, such as larger air-scoops and quad squared-off tailpipes.
At the helm, the low seating position makes the Macan feel more like a crossover than a proper off-roader, which makes it more engaging to drive.
Our reacquaintance with Porsche's junior SUV comes in the form of the Macan Turbo. This means the car has been 'suited' up with a slew of sportier-looking bits, such as larger air-scoops and quad squared-off tailpipes.
At the helm, the low seating position makes the Macan feel more like a crossover than a proper off-roader, which makes it more engaging to drive.
Likewise on the inside, the now-familiar floating centre console creates a more driver-centric environment. And from the cabin, it certainly feels like Porsche is determined in making the Macan the sports car of its segment.
The Macan's interior is also prim and proper Porsche, with a premium level of fit and finish throughout. The slight qualm we have is the multitude of switches and buttons, which needs time to get used to.
The Drive
It seems to be a German 'thing' to fit sports car-like performance into everyday utility vehicles. Indeed, Porsche's current top-of-range Macan packs sumptuous performance - 400bhp and 550Nm of torque.
That is sufficient to see the 1.9-tonne SUV sprint from nought to 100km/h in a hot hatch-rivalling 4.8 seconds. While intervening laws of physics mean that you can't expect the Macan to handle like one, its on-road behaviour will certainly catch you by surprise.
The Macan's interior is also prim and proper Porsche, with a premium level of fit and finish throughout. The slight qualm we have is the multitude of switches and buttons, which needs time to get used to.
The Drive
It seems to be a German 'thing' to fit sports car-like performance into everyday utility vehicles. Indeed, Porsche's current top-of-range Macan packs sumptuous performance - 400bhp and 550Nm of torque.
That is sufficient to see the 1.9-tonne SUV sprint from nought to 100km/h in a hot hatch-rivalling 4.8 seconds. While intervening laws of physics mean that you can't expect the Macan to handle like one, its on-road behaviour will certainly catch you by surprise.
The steering is crisply sharp and induces such an intimate relationship with the driver that one will be able to tell exactly what the car is up to. As bold a statement as it may be, this car could well just be the best in its class in terms of its driveability.
Despite its heft, body roll is generally kept in check without harming the ride comfort, which means you will still be able to indulge in driving fun without complains from your passengers.
Conclusion
There is no doubt that the Macan, in its most potent Turbo trim, is a serious piece of kit that combines the sporty driving characteristics of a Porsche with proper utility for the family.
The question is whether the extra horses (and bragging rights) in the Turbo is worth the almost $100k premium over the second-in-line Macan S which, in our opinion, is no less capable than the Turbo.
Despite its heft, body roll is generally kept in check without harming the ride comfort, which means you will still be able to indulge in driving fun without complains from your passengers.
Conclusion
There is no doubt that the Macan, in its most potent Turbo trim, is a serious piece of kit that combines the sporty driving characteristics of a Porsche with proper utility for the family.
The question is whether the extra horses (and bragging rights) in the Turbo is worth the almost $100k premium over the second-in-line Macan S which, in our opinion, is no less capable than the Turbo.
Photos by Nicholas Low
Car Information
Porsche Macan Turbo PDK 3.6 (A)
CAT B|Petrol|10.8km/L
Horsepower
294kW (394 bhp)
Torque
550 Nm
Acceleration
4.8sec (0-100km /hr)
This model is no longer being sold by local distributor
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