Porsche’s stupendously popular Macan performance crossover has been given an overhaul for 2022, bringing more power and tech to one of the marque’s best-selling vehicles. And, what Kiwis will see in their local showrooms has already been announced.
It also looks different, but not radically so. Most notably, the new Macan gets a larger ‘mouth’ up front — a black overlay bringing together the primary central grille and the vents under the flanking headlights.
Porsche’s local arm has already confirmed that New Zealanders will get three variants from the new line-up; the entry level Macan, the Macan S, and the Macan GTS [pictured in red, below]. Each is priced from $111,900, $134,600, and $156,200 accordingly.
At the top of the tree for the moment, the Macan GTS’ powertrain has seen significant gains. The 2.9-litre V6 biturbo has had its power output grow by 44kW, to 344kW. Sport Chrono models will be able to complete the 100km/h sprint in 4.3 seconds, and hit a top speed of 272km/h.
The Macan S’ detuned version of the same engine also gains 20kW from where it was once rated, now producing 280kW. The base model, meanwhile, gets a newly developed turbocharged four-cylinder petrol. It produces a comparatively humble 195kW, but can hit 100km/h in a fairly brisk 6.2 seconds. Each model is all-wheel drive and each comes with a 7-speed PDK dual clutch gearbox.
The announcement skips over the Macan Turbo and the fully electric Macan that Porsche has in the pipeline. Expect both to get their own separate glitzy reveals in due course.
For those who love the odd spirited drive through the hills, the new Macan packs a bunch of relevant handling updates. The GTS gets sport air suspension as standard, giving it 10mm less ride height and 10 per cent and 15 per cent of added stiffness front and rear.
Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) is standard on both the S and the GTS, and optional on the ordinary Macan. Those wanting the Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus system can only get it as an option on the GTS alone.
The redesigned centre console adopts some of those haptic feedback buttons that Volkswagen Group loves so much. The layout is a little less cluttered, and there’s more storage space, too. Each cabin gets a 10.9-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay.
The Macan’s safety suite makes for curious reading. While New Zealand’s exact specs haven’t been revealed, in the amount of features listed as optional in overseas markets is a laugh. Radar cruise control, blind spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist are both optional extras in the US — three features you’ll find standard on most current hatchbacks.
A certain percentage of Porsche faithful are likely rolling their eyes at the new Macan. It’s a sports car, after all. But, it’s worth noting that of the 600,000 Macans Porsche claims it has sold since the model was born, 80 per cent were sold to customers new to the brand.
Like it or not, today’s Macan buyer is likely to be the next-generation of 911 buyer.
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