Porsche Macan: Putting the “sports” in “Sports Utility”

Kaohsiung, TAIWAN – Truly, one could say that what had initially appeared as a foolhardy move to invade the less-than-rarefied realm of the sports utility vehicle soon proved to be akin to a new prospector discovering a vein of gold in a previously mined site.

The Cayenne, Porsche’s first-ever foray into the luxury SUV segment, is widely regarded as the vehicle that lifted the Stuttgart stalwart from its financial doldrums and into more mainstream sales figures. The lessons to infer from the success are apparent: First, the SUV form continues to resonate among car buyers and, second, Porsche as a brand has obviously not lost any of its luster and aspirational allure. The more affordable price tag didn’t hurt, either.

Still, there are quite a few incredulous looks among the select motoring media gathered here for the regional launch of Porsche’s new vehicle, the Macan. It doesn’t have anything to do with the looks department but, rather, a seeming positioning gaffe. A corporate video proclaims the new SUV to be like its bigger sibling, the aforementioned Cayenne – coming in five doors and all-wheel drive.

The Macan, however, is touted as more “concentrated,” “urban,” and “intensive” – the first sports car in the compact SUV segment. Would such dichotomous qualities fly when put to the test? Let’s face it: In this industry, we’ve heard so much hyperbole that one would be hard-pressed to find one that rang very true. Sports car and SUV? How is that even possible?

Porsche Asia Pacific’s sales and marketing training manager Daniel Kalai seems to have read our faces, and says: “You’ll be able to try it out for yourself during our drive.”

With that, we are paired off and assigned Macans. A row of the vehicles waits for us as we exit through the hotel lobby. Immediately, it becomes apparent that the Macan is not just a smaller version of the Cayenne, but stands on its own, design-wise. If you are hard-pressed for a visual cue, Kalai insists that the vehicle takes inspiration from the 918 Spyder – particularly the rear-lamp assembly. Incidentally, it shares front and rear axles, and not much else, with its Audi Q5 cousin.

Compared to the Cayenne, the Macan stands 75mm squatter, is 57mm narrower, and measures 165mm shorter (it should be said though that the Macan has enough space in both the backseat and the trunk). The diminished size imbues it with a more naturally sporty profile, especially since there is a whiff of 911 in the Macan’s lines.

“It’s a very important DNA for us,” Kalai underscores. “Porsche makes sure that its strong, sporty DNA is in this car.”

For 179 kilometers, I take turns with C! editor-in-chief Carl Cunanan putting a Macan S and Macan Turbo through the paces across southern Taiwan’s scenic countryside to and from Kenting National Park. With sea, sand, skyways, and pristine roads aplenty, we are given enough latitude to reasonably push the Macans in a setting that inspired a bond between driver and machine.

Three variants of the Macan – all assembled in Leipzig, Germany – are available: the Macan S, Macan S Diesel, and the Macan Turbo. The Macan S is armed with a potent 3.0-liter bi-turbo V6 good for 340hp and 460Nm. The Macan S Diesel comes with a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 heart that pumps 258hp and a torquey 580Nm. The alpha dog Macan Turbo serves up 400hp and 550Nm, along with plenty of leftover attitude and spunk.

The Porsche ethos is apparent within the Macan’s plush interiors as well. Legible controls, classy and simple gauges make it a model of understated luxe. Flanking a big circular analog tachometer that redlines at 7,000 rpm are a speedometer that goes up to 300 kph and a multi-function (a high-resolution, circular 4.8-inch VGA ) on the right to display a sundry of other information such as fuel economy and even a map.

The steering wheel – also based on the 918 Spyder’s – features “ergonomically positioned shift paddles and additional multi-function buttons.” The center console is all business as well; it slopes forward and clusters key buttons in groups for easier access.

The proof is in the pudding, of course, so we are keen on proving just how worthy the Macan was of its sports car tag. All engine variants are mated to a Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) seven-speed system that delivers superb start-up performance and fast gear changes. The robust engines also respond quickly to accelerator pedal input – perfect for jackrabbit starts should you desire them.

Porsche’s acceleration times for the Macan lend credence to its sports car cred. The Macan S reaches 100 kph in 5.4 (5.2 with the optional Sport Chrono package) ticks, the diesel variant in 6.3 (6.1 with Sport Chrono), and the Turbo in 4.8 (4.6 with Sport Chrono). Top speed for the three are 254 kph, 230 kph, and 266 kph, respectively.

But the folks at Porsche have a green streak as well, and they showcase it in the Macan. A start-stop functionality shuts off the engine at speeds of 2 kph or lower to conserve fuel, and automatically restarts when you lift off the brake pedal. The feature may be disengaged, so you are still given the luxury of choice.

A coasting feature allows the vehicle glide on neutral as you gradually lift your foot off the accelerator when at speed. The PDK decouples the engaged gear – helping you realize fuel savings of up to a liter per 100 kilometers. The Macan also boasts compliance to Euro 6 emissions standards, and can muster, by Porsche’s reckoning, up to 16 kilometers on a liter of diesel and almost 11 kilometers to an equal amount of gas.

Driving on twisty roads such as those going up to the beautiful Gloria Manor in Pingtung is effortless with the Macan’s PTV (Porsche Torque Vectoring) Plus in command. When braking aggressively on turns, brake pressure is applied to the inside rear wheel even as additional rotational pulse is distributed to the outer rear wheel. It provides direct steering action while increasing cornering dynamics and driving stability. Meanwhile, the Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) system allows the driver to tailor the damping according to conditions.

To be sure, there are more nifty acronyms representing a confluence of the safe and sporty in the Macan. Never before have the lines separating SUV and sedan been this blurred. “Crossover” doesn’t quite do justice to the Macan, as it wields too much power and bravado. The Macan Turbo’s engine is burdened with 10.61 pound per hp (based on curb weight); compare that figure to the Cayenne Turbo’s 9.57.

Says a Car and Driver review: “The Macan should be among the sportier—if not the sportiest—high-riding haulers, able to out-fun (other brands).”

A voice crackles on the two-way radio. We are given permission to speed up as we pass a stretch of elevated road. It’s the cue I’ve been waiting for, and press harder on the pedal. The Turbo sprints to 180 kph in a very short time – effortless and unburdened. I wanted to press on, but traffic starts to build up.

This is the time all the terms and categories melt away, distilling into a single thought that should be most compelling of all to buy a Macan.

It is, most definitely, a Porsche.