Don’t be fooled by the minor aesthetic changes applied to the new (honestly) Porsche Macan, because beneath its lightly facelifted skin there have been some substantial adjustments to the hot-selling compact SUV – particularly in the engine department.
While powertrain details are yet to be officially confirmed for the new car, word is that almost every variant gets a performance boost as Porsche bids to reheat the model in the face of growing demand. As part of this transformation, the Macan S and GTS models will both trade the 3.6-litre V6 for a new 3.0-litre motor.
In the S, this lighter unit will provide an identical 340hp to the outgoing engine, while the GTS will gain 20hp from its new lump to offer 380hp. But it’s the range-topping Turbo and Turbo S models that really make strides as they trade the 3.6 for the new 2.9-litre V6 developed in conjunction with Audi.
Already used in models such as the Panamera 4S (and soon to feature in an entry-level Audi R8 variant), the 2.9-litre unit, which is smaller in capacity thanks to the use of a strengthened crankshaft and slightly reduced stroke, is expected to produce a peak of 420hp in the Turbo. In the Turbo S, it'll get 460hp, meaning the top Macan will be just 16hp short of the Mercedes-AMG GLC 63, which comes with a V8.
Beneath the new six-cylinder motors, the range is expected to still be propped up by a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-pot with a 10hp increase in output from to 260hp. But – and this is a sign of the times – no diesel variant is due at launch. The Macan Diesel was dropped from the current range at the start of the year with no word as to whether a replacement would be produced, despite the fact demand in this segment for oil burners is still strong. We’re yet to learn whether a new version is due.
Elsewhere in the new Macan it’s a case of evolution rather than revolution, which comes as little surprise as this is a mid-life update rather than a complete reshuffle. The exterior has gained a new rear light bar, inspired by the new Cayenne, and there are LED lights as standard. New 20in and 21in wheels have been added as well, while Porsche claims to have “fine tuned” the chassis, which was already in pretty good shape, frankly.
Inside, there are a raft of predictable updates including a tweaked dashboard design with Porsche's Communication Management system, including a centre console touchscreen of 11.0in (up from 7.0) and enhanced connectivity tech. Porsche will also offer a Porsche GT steering wheel featuring a new Sport button as part of the Sports Chrono Package.
The Macan has been a storming success for Porsche, having sold in 350,000 examples since it launched four years ago. So expect more of the same with this updated model when it arrives on roads before the year’s close. If you can't wait that long, the classifieds are jam-packed with the outgoing variant - from the 2018 Turbo in £90k Performance Pack format to the original oil burner, which, rather predictably, can be picked up for as little as £30k.
1 / 12
