IT DOESN’T hurt to keep going back to the well when it keeps giving.
And that’s veritably what Porsche Centre Philippines did last week when it unveiled the updated version of the Macan. The official importer and distributor of the Stuttgart-headquartered automaker refreshes the “ultimate sports car among compact SUVs,” as it pointed to its sustained popularity which propelled the sales of more than 600,000 examples worldwide to date since its debut in 2014. It is also the best-selling Porsche in the country.
At the recent annual press conference of Porsche AG, presided over by Executive Board Chairman Oliver Blume and CFO Lutz Meschke, the company reported the delivery of 301,915 Porsches to customers worldwide in 2021 — the highest ever number in the firm’s history. In 2020, the company moved 272,162 units. Leading the charge was the Macan (88,362), followed by its larger SUV sibling, the Cayenne (83,071). This means the Macan alone accounted for almost 30% of total sales.
In the same presser, Porsche announced that its best-selling nameplate since 2016 is going to get an all-electric version in 2023 (badged as a 2024 model). This EV is expected to share the same platform as the Audi A6 e-tron. While Porsche holds its electrified cards close to its chest, the firm nonetheless intimated that the Macan is projected to surpass the range of its current electrified darling, the Taycan.
While we in the Philippines engage in some wishful thinking and wait for that day to come, there’s plenty of the ICE-powered Macan left to be enjoyed, and designers in Germany have worked hard to evolve the here and now. Still, in an interview with “Velocity,” Porsche Philippines Managing Director William Angsiy confirmed that the new Macan is the last purely ICE-powered iteration before the powertrain gets electrified.
The new Porsche Macan is said to be the best of its kind — perhaps a fitting sendoff before it sheds its taste for fossil fuel. The vehicle gets a recast nose, with an inlay in body color meant to make the vehicle wider giving the sport car even more presence. The front fascia gets a new set of eyes — LED headlights with the Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS). According to Porsche, the feature “increases safety when driving and enhances near-field, lateral, and far-field illumination by adjusting the range of the dipped beam according to driving speed. Additionally, the dynamic cornering light function rotates the main headlights toward the inside of a road’s curve based on the driver’s speed and steering angle. Static cornering lights turn on the auxiliary headlights for clearer visibility on tight, turning roads.” Porsche Brand Ambassador Bryan Ellamil showed how the trademark four-point lighting has been reworked into four illuminated “dashes.”
Meanwhile, the Macan’s signature sideblades get a refresh through a three-dimensional surface structure and are finished in Lava Black hue.
The hind quarters of the new Macan are highlighted by an eye-catching black diffuser that more prominently rises up the rear. A taillight strip with integrated four-point brake lights using LED technology remains as a familiar design element. Standard on the new Macan are SportDesign exterior mirrors with V-shaped bases. It rides on 19-inch wheels, and boasts an additional 3D trim in front and at the rear.
In the cabin, the Macan’s centrally positioned rev counter takes inspiration from the 911. An analog clock, another classic Porsche design element, takes its hallowed place in the center of the dash. The redesigned center console now uses touch controls instead of buttons, and continues to offer many online functions and services as standard. The user can access these functions via the 10.9-inch full-HD touch display of the Porsche Communication Management.
A short-throw gear selector lever sitting at the center of the clearly structured control module underscores sportier intentions, and does the multifunction sports steering wheel with gearshift paddles. “New Comfort seats with electric 14-way adjustment for height, squab and backrest angle, and fore/aft position secure the driver and front passenger in place while offering luxurious accommodation,” added Porsche in a release.
Motivation comes from a “redeveloped” 2.0-liter inline-four turbocharged heart spitting out 265hp from 5,000rpm to 6,000rpm, and 400Nm of torque from as low as 1,800rpm up to 4,500rpm. “The engine not only delivers ample power, but is also fuel-efficient — a high-pressure injection system allows for multiple injections of the tiniest amounts of fuel. The engine’s low weight also means reduced load over the front axle, leading to dynamic advantages,” said the firm. Porsche Traction Management (PTM) active all-wheel drive system features an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch. Traction, agility, performance, and safety are ensured in whatever condition power is distributed between the drive axles. Porsche Stability Management adds to the confidence. Finally, a standard seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) transmission results in “extremely fast gear changes to take place without these interrupting traction.”
A Sport Chrono Package with Mode switch provides setup changes for its chassis, engine and transmission. The newly designed Mode switch with Sport Response button on the steering wheel can be used to choose among Normal, Sport, Sport Plus, and Individual. A nifty toy for adrenaline junkies is the Launch Control function for maximum acceleration from a standing start, while the Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus) improves driving dynamics and stability, particularly on bends. Also aiding in sharpening up the vehicle’s steering behavior are the variable distribution of engine torque to the rear wheels, and the electronically controlled rear differential lock.
Porsche Center Philippines reported that its facilities in Greenhills and Bonifacio Global City are “in full compliance with the strict corporate identity guidelines of Dr. Ing.h.c. F. Porsche AG, and offers the newest Porsche sports car models, Porsche Driver’s Selection lifestyle items, parts and after sales service to Filipino enthusiasts.”
For now, there’s but a sole variant of the Macan, but Mr. Angsiy revealed that two more trims are set to arrive by June this year. — Kap Maceda Aguila