The rear end is, in my view, where the Macan differs the most from the Cayenne, largely due to the elongated horizontal taillights. In this latest official video, however, Porsche mentions nothing about the Cayenne, saying the Macan’s design “combines the best of Porsche race cars and sports cars”.
Porsche designers talk about how the Macan features elements from the 911, 918 Spyder and even Porsche racecars. However, it only takes one look at the car to realize it’s a mini-Cayenne in terms of styling (the interior is no exception).
Scroll down to watch the video for yourself.
By Dan Mihalascu
However, Chris Harris thinks the two could be called rivals, at a stretch, especially if you option up your Porsche and/or get a discount on the McLaren; get an approved used one even cheaper is a third way.
He is so convinced that the two are rivals that he’s made a video trying to explain the point – it may just be an excuse to hoon some cars on both road and track, but as long as it’s both entertaining and informative in its own right, we’ll look the other way and not nitpick.
Conclusions are straightforward: driving the British car is more of an event, because it’s an actual supercar, plus I’d add my own input and say it’s far better looking than the bloated, almost bulbous-looking 991, a condition made worse by the extra widening of the Turbo.
It is dragged down by its uninspiring-sounding engine that reportedly exhibits noticeable turbo lag, and it’s not as practical as the purportedly four-seater Porsche, nor is it as upmarket-looking inside.
By Andrei Nedelea
MotorTrend does have a fairly important mission to fulfill in their own latest video review of one of the most recent additions to the Panamera range, the new V6-powered all-wheel drive 4S; before, it had a naturally-aspirated V8 that by all accounts was a good performing and characterful engine. The new six-cylinder makes 416 PS or 410 hp, from a displacement of three liters, with the help of two turbochargers.
On paper, that puts it above the old unit in every single way, being both more powerful and offering more torque, while also posting better acceleration times and economy figures, as well.
However, the engine is found to be a bit flat-sounding and not responsive at low rpms, not really being in tune with the sporty Porsche character, being rated as a far less entertaining drive than before.
By Andrei Nedelea
Built by Porsche Exclusive in Zuffenhausen, Germany, the car is right-hand drive, as will be used as a demo vehicle at the Porsche Experience Centre in Silverstone. So no, fan No. 5,000,000 won’t get it. However, one lucky winner from San Francisco, USA, was flown to the UK and had the chance to experience the car on track.
Based on the all-wheel drive 4S model, the milestone 911 gets a blue and white paint scheme, white 20-inch alloys, a lowered sports suspension and new exhaust, as well as subtle body treatment - bar the fixed rear spoiler. The interior features LED-backlit doorsills with the logo and special inscription which reads “Personally built by 5 Million Porsche fans”, as well as brushed aluminum trim.
By Dan Mihalascu
Porsche’s first compact SUV will be available with three models at market launch - the Macan S, Macan S Diesel and Macan Turbo, all fitted as standard with all-wheel drive. The carmaker says the Macan is the sports car of the compact SUV segment, and performance specs seem to support that statement.
The Macan S is powered by a 335hp (340PS) 3.0-liter V6 biturbo engine mated to a seven-speed double-clutch transmission. The SUV sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds (5.2 seconds with the optional Sport Chrono package) and reaches a top speed of 254 km/h (158 mph). Average fuel consumption figures are between 9.0 l/100 km (26.1 mpg US) and 8.7 l/100 km (27 mpg US), corresponding to CO2 emissions of 212 and 204 g/km, respectively.
The Macan S Diesel (not offered in the States) is obviously the performer in terms of fuel economy, with its 255hp (258PS) 3.0-liter V6 turbo diesel returning between 6.3 l/100 km (37.3 mpg US) and 6.1 l/100 km (38.5 mpg US), with CO2 emissions rated at 164 and 159 g/km, respectively. Still, the model is worthy of the Porsche badge, covering the sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 6.3 seconds (6.1 seconds with the Sport Chrono package) and reaching a top speed of 230 km/h (143 mph).
The fastest model in the lineup is the Macan Turbo, powered by an all-new 3.6-liter V6 biturbo engine used for the first time on a Porsche. The unit produces 394hp (400PS), catapulting the Macan from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.8 seconds (4.6 seconds with the Sport Chrono package). Top speed is 266 km/h (165 mph), while average fuel economy figures are between 9.2 l/100 km (25.6 mpg US) and 8.9 l/100 km (26.4 mpg US). CO2 figures are 216 and 208 g/km, respectively.
Being an SUV, the Macan is offered as standard with an off-road mode, activated at the touch of a button in the center console at speeds between 0 and 80 km/h (50 mph). The function switches all the relevant systems to a traction-oriented off-road program. Furthermore, on models fitted with the optional air suspension (standard on the Macan Turbo), ground clearance can be increased by 40 mm (1.6in) for a maximum of 230 mm (9in).
There’s also a standard Sport button, which makes the engine even more responsive, shortens gear shifts and allows shifts at higher revs. In addition, the engine gets a racier sound and the air suspension offers a sportier feel.
Besides all-wheel drive and PDK, the Macan’s standard equipment includes a multi-function sport steering wheel with shift paddles, large wheels, high-performance audio system and an electrically operated tailgate, among others. Optional equipment includes the air suspension system, Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus) system, Porsche Dynamic Light System Plus (PDLS Plus) and many others.
The Macan S and Macan S Diesel are priced from €57,930 ($78,420) in Germany, while the Macan Turbo starts at €79,826 ($108,060). Deliveries begin on April 5, 2014.
In the U.S., prices start at $50,895 for the "S" model rising to $73,295 for the Turbo, excluding handling and delivery fees.
By Dan Mihalascu
