Cars like the 911, the Boxster, the Cayman and even the Panamera wearing the GTS badge aren't necessarily the ultimate models to own. They're often nicely slotted into the middle of the range - which is probably somewhere between the S and the Turbo model. That makes the Turbo and the Turbo S models the ultimate and sacred ones to have in your garage.
But more often than not, getting a Porsche isn't exactly about bragging rights or pure performance figures only. In the essence of car buying, while it's important to make logical decisions so as to minimise unnecessary financial losses, following the heart rather than the mind is just as vital.
The GTS-badged cars in Porsche's lineup haven't always been the fastest or the best, but they sure as hell are the most fun to pilot, especially around a familiar track like the Sepang International Circuit.
And as you'd come to expect, the Macan GTS is no different.
But more often than not, getting a Porsche isn't exactly about bragging rights or pure performance figures only. In the essence of car buying, while it's important to make logical decisions so as to minimise unnecessary financial losses, following the heart rather than the mind is just as vital.
The GTS-badged cars in Porsche's lineup haven't always been the fastest or the best, but they sure as hell are the most fun to pilot, especially around a familiar track like the Sepang International Circuit.
And as you'd come to expect, the Macan GTS is no different.
Up close and Personal
On first glance, the Macan GTS is as aggressive-looking as it comes. Larger air intakes, lowered ride height (15mm over the regular Macan to be exact), tinted head and taillights as well as blacked out quad tail pipes are hints that tell observers this isn't just an average Macan you're driving.
On the inside, where four of your passengers and yourself will find adequate space, materials used are of what you'd come to expect of the car bearing the Porsche moniker - supple, sporty and expensive to the touch. The use of alcantara and leather is nicely blended on the seats, which further differentiates this car from the regular Macan.
The Drive
As a sports car, the Macan GTS lacks the low centre of gravity that allows the two-door models in Porsche's lineup to be more unwavering around bends. But that doesn't mean the compact SUV is, in any way, unsteady. Turn is precise, quick and well-balanced, with sufficient lateral grip to keep up with the pack on the track.
Of course, given its dimensions, the laws of physics will still come into play should you attempt to throw the car too hard and too fast around corners but the GTS does an excellent and credible job that will put many other cars in its segment to shame.
And when it comes to necessary stomping on the brakes, which can happen quite a few times before some turns on the circuit, the 1,895kg Macan GTS does a good job in shedding speed without any hint of nose-dive.
In Sport mode, where it was left to during our time with the car around the track, you can feel the 3.0-litre V6 bi-turbo engine reacting to your every right foot's instructions. You floor the accelerator on the straights and its output, all 360bhp of it and 500Nm of torque, will gun the car towards the horizon. This is when you start to believe that its 5.2-second century sprint is very much a realistic figure.
Of course credit will also have to go to the seven-speed PDK dual-clutch gearbox. Cogs are swopped with high levels of alacrity and refinement, and every downshift is made known through the throaty blip from the twin tailpipes.
As a sports car, the Macan GTS lacks the low centre of gravity that allows the two-door models in Porsche's lineup to be more unwavering around bends. But that doesn't mean the compact SUV is, in any way, unsteady. Turn is precise, quick and well-balanced, with sufficient lateral grip to keep up with the pack on the track.
Of course, given its dimensions, the laws of physics will still come into play should you attempt to throw the car too hard and too fast around corners but the GTS does an excellent and credible job that will put many other cars in its segment to shame.
And when it comes to necessary stomping on the brakes, which can happen quite a few times before some turns on the circuit, the 1,895kg Macan GTS does a good job in shedding speed without any hint of nose-dive.
In Sport mode, where it was left to during our time with the car around the track, you can feel the 3.0-litre V6 bi-turbo engine reacting to your every right foot's instructions. You floor the accelerator on the straights and its output, all 360bhp of it and 500Nm of torque, will gun the car towards the horizon. This is when you start to believe that its 5.2-second century sprint is very much a realistic figure.
Of course credit will also have to go to the seven-speed PDK dual-clutch gearbox. Cogs are swopped with high levels of alacrity and refinement, and every downshift is made known through the throaty blip from the twin tailpipes.
Unfortunately, we can't really tell you much about how much of a missile this car will be on the open road in Singapore. But considering its ability to bend the laws of physics like a hot hatch and its more-than-adequate performance output, it's hard for the Macan GTS to disappoint as an everyday sports SUV.
Conclusion
There's really a lot to admire about this car. It's incredibly comfortable and refined and having ample power to match its functionality is hard to ignore. At $326,488 (without COE and as of 4th August 2016), the Macan GTS is a special breed that will raise a few eyebrows or turn a couple of heads because it neither takes the crown of being the top tier punch nor does it offer a bang for buck like how the Macan S does.
Instead, it offers buyers the sort of cheeky differentiation that is both satisfying and boastful while constantly reminding you just what an impressive feat of engineering this mean machine really is.
Conclusion
There's really a lot to admire about this car. It's incredibly comfortable and refined and having ample power to match its functionality is hard to ignore. At $326,488 (without COE and as of 4th August 2016), the Macan GTS is a special breed that will raise a few eyebrows or turn a couple of heads because it neither takes the crown of being the top tier punch nor does it offer a bang for buck like how the Macan S does.
Instead, it offers buyers the sort of cheeky differentiation that is both satisfying and boastful while constantly reminding you just what an impressive feat of engineering this mean machine really is.
