Macan [Spy Shots] Porsche Macan: Spyshots & Info

[Merc1]

NO more spy photos or videos are needed, we've see all we're going to see. It is time for the car to be shown now.

M

 

[Toldi911]

NO more spy photos or videos are needed, we've see all we're going to see. It is time for the car to be shown now.

M

You are so right.

 

[rollo]

I hope so too but I wonder if Porsche will oblige?

 

[Monster]

The first wave of pre production test drive has begun.

Remember the turbulent turn of events surrounding the launch of the Porsche Cayenne? It was 2002, and the company whose very existence was built upon a line of legendary sportscars was about to do something its boss at the time, Wendelin Weideking, had earlier pledged would never happen. Namely, add an SUV to its line-up. The move was enough to send loyal fans of the iconic German marque into frenzied tailspin.
A decade or so on, the controversial decision to diversify the Porsche model range to include an SUV is now viewed as a masterstroke. Successful beyond even the most optimistic sales predictions back then, the Cayenne has established itself as the fastest selling Porsche model of all time, with worldwide sales that totaled 77,822 in 2012 – some 857 in Australia alone - providing the scope for record annual sales along with a solid financial foundation for further growth, including the addition of halo models such as the new 918 Spyder.
Now we’re about to see a second SUV, the Macan, join the Porsche line-up. This time around, though, the purists are notable only for their silence. To be unveiled at the Los Angeles motor show next month, it is slightly smaller, more keenly priced and, says Porsche, more car like in character than the Cayenne. The suggestion is it will ultimately prove more successful than its larger sibling at a price that is tipped to start from around $90,000 in Australia. Before its public debut, though, we have been invited to sample the new SUV on public roads during a final validation test with its project leader, Hans-Juergen Woehler, in California.
From a distance and without any other cars to reference for size, it is very easy to mistake the Macan with the Cayenne. The two share a common design language that remains clear despite the light disguise worn by the prototypes. Love it or loath it, you can’t deny it is eye catching. One feature that immediately raises interest is the bonnet, a clamshell affair that features cut outs for the headlamps and sides that wrap well down into the flanks below the top of the front wheel arches similar to the Mini hatchback. It has been adopted to improve air flow within the engine bay, according to Woehler.
Advertisement
Despite looking like a scaled down version of the Cayenne, the Macan uses quite a different base; the Cayenne shares its underpinnings with the Volkswagen Touareg, the Macan with the Audi Q5. From its launch next June, Porsche intends to offer three engines and the choice of either a standard manual or optional seven speed dual clutch gearbox – the latter of which has been chosen over the Cayenne’s eight-speed automatic on the grounds that it provides the new SUV with a more sporting feel, according to Woehler. Four-wheel drive, a Torsen torque sensing system that apportions power with a distinct rearward bias, is standard across the range, as are features such as automatic stop/start and a coasting function that idles the engine on a trailing throttle for added fuel savings.
Although Porsche is quick to play down the engineering links between the Macan and Q5, you don’t have to delve very far to discover they share the same 2807mm wheelbase. Overall, the Porsche is 70mm longer, 44mm wider and 29mm lower than the Audi, now in its fifth year of production.
The Macan’s chassis is also a development of that found in the Q5, with a combination of multi-links front and rear. In keeping with its sporting brief, it receives conventional steel coil springs along with adjustable dampers and conventional anti-roll bars, although the finer details are being kept under wraps until its unveiling in late November. Wheel sizes start at 17-inch and go all the way up to an optional 21-inch. The steering, an electro-mechanical arrangement, is described as a Porsche development with unique components and mapping.
I jump into the heavily contoured passenger seat of the Turbo that is set to lead the Macan line-up. It is powered by a twin-turbocharged version Porsche’s 3.6-litre V6 direct injection petrol engine that, up to now, has only been offered in naturally aspirated guise. The adoption of forced induction, a complex cooling system fed by those substantial front air ducts and other associated internal modifications has raised output by a significant 74kW, bumping it to 294kW – the same figure touted by the naturally aspirated 4.8-litre V8 used in the Cayenne GTS, no less. There is an even bigger increase in torque, which climbs by 150Nm to a sturdy 550Nm.
A glance around the interior reveals similarities in material, switches, controls and trim with that of the second-generation Cayenne, suggesting quality will be well up to levels of other recent Porsche models. The driving position is quite sporting, more so than with the Cayenne, with a neatly proportioned multi function steering wheel that is not quite vertical and a high-set centre console. The cabin is impressively spacious, with plenty of leg and head room for four adults, five at a pinch. Then we’re off, up the ramp of the parking station and out on to the streets of Los Angeles to a secret canyon road and then further in-land for some off-road driving later on.
Porsche is yet to reveal any weight figures for its new model but Woehler suggests a number of weight saving measures, including the use of aluminium with the body, will see the Turbo hit the scales at under 1700kg. Nevertheless, there are sufficient reserves to provide it with more than just brisk performance. In lower gears it possesses serious pace away from the lights and truly impressive in-gear acceleration. Final performance numbers are yet to be validated. My money is on a 0-100km/h time in the sub-5.0sec bracket and top speed above 260km/h. Sufficient to bury the Audi SQ5, for sure.
As we hit the highway it becomes obvious the Turbo has quite long gearing at the top of its ‘box. With its optional seven speed dual clutch gearbox left in automatic mode, it rarely requires more than 2000rpm to remain in the flow of traffic. Mechanical refinement is superb with only a faint growl of exhaust on part throttle.
Together with the Turbo, Porsche will offer the Macan with at least two further Audi-sourced 3.0-litre V6 engines. Confirmed is a supercharged direct injection petrol mill with 250kW and 460Nm in the S as well as a turbocharged common rail diesel with 190kW and heady 580Nm in the S Diesel. The new Porsche SUV is also planned to receive a limited range of four-cylinder powerplants, making it the first Porsche model to do so since the demise of the 968 back in 1995. Nothing is official, but parent company Volkswagen’s turbocharged 2.0-litre direct injection petrol unit with 168kW and 350Nm as well as a turbocharged 2.0-litre common rail diesel with 132kW and 380Nm are likely candidates in price leading Macan and Macan Diesel models.
Along with the focus on straight line speed, Porsche’s engineering brain trust was tasked with endowing the Macan with what Woehler describes as “the most dynamic handling in its class”. What strikes me most about its on-road characteristics once we leave wide boulevards of Los Angeles behind is its sheer agility. The Macan corners with all the eagerness of a well sorted sporting estate, displaying sharp turn-in traits, remarkably little body roll and an ability to accept lateral forces without any discernable understeer, even at the limit. There appears to be abundant levels of grip mid corner, and the four-wheel drive system ensures there’s always loads of traction and, in combination with the Turbo’s deep reserves of torque, terrific drive out of low speed corners.
But if you’re looking for a more definitive verdict, you’ll have to wait until we get to drive the new Porsche for ourselves. There is no doubt the Porsche Macan has the ability to mount a series challenge to the BMW X3 for pure dynamic ability on the bitumen. From the passenger seat it displays all the dynamic hallmarks to make it the Cayman of the SUV world. And what’s really surprising is that, despite running 21-inch wheel shod with 265/45 rubber, the ride is totally acceptable.
Like the Cayenne, the Macan has been conceived predominantly for on-road driving. However, Woehler is full of praise for its off-road ability of the new SUV, suggesting it can hold its own against every conceivable rival in the rough stuff, despite the absence of anything as hardcore as low range gearing.
Inevitably it isn’t too long before we leave the relative security of the bitumen and begin charging down a series of gravel roads in the mountains behind Los Angeles. Despite its sporting slant and a lot of talk from engineers about efforts to keep the centre of gravity as low as possible, the Macan possess greater ground clearance than the Q5. It boasts more forgiving approach, departure and ramp angles than the Audi. And after some serious off-road action, I can assure you the sportiness inherent in the driving traits of the new Macan are not only confined to on-road driving.
Porsche’s ambition with the Macan was to produce an SUV that would appeal a wide range of customers – from school run mothers, to dyed-in-the-wool enthusiasts and those seeking more than a modicum of off-road ability. And in this respect, it appears to have achieved its goal. At least, that’s the feeling we got after a day in the passenger seat of the top-of-the-line Turbo. Its breath of ability is quite stunning, underpinned by a heroic engine, fantastically efficient driveline and a chassis that appears to have been sprinkled with more than pitch of Weissach engineering magic. The exterior won’t be to everyone’s taste, but the interior is classy, inviting and, given its relatively compact dimensions, quite spacious. Best of all, there is absolutely no hint of its links with the Audi Q5.
New class king? At the moment it looks that way.
- With Greg Kable

http://smh.drive.com.au/motor-news/porsche-macan-first-details-20131009-2v77g.html

 

[mini_cooper4]

Yes! Amazing review!
The Cayman of the SUV world they say!
Absolutely no hint of its links with the Audi Q5!
New class king!

That's what I like hearing!

PS: Just imagine what the Pajun will be like!

 

[Soup]

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/new-porsche-macan-4x4-first-ride

 

[rollo]

Well, I just pulled the trigger for a change after 6 new BMW's in a row! I called the Porsche salesman that sold us my wife's Boxster and reserved their first allocation for a Macan Turbo to replace my 550i X. The lease end should be fairly close to availability.

I just love the way the Boxster handles and hope that the Macan has some of it's magic!

 

[Betty Swollocks]

Congratulations!!

 

[Merc1]

I just love how Porsche engineers a vehicle. They took a Q5 and basically gutted it. Different engines, different interior, different transmissions, and even some expensive structural changes. This appears to be the real deal. Anyone who says this is just a badge engineered vehicle is simply clueless. Porsche remains Germany's #1 car maker in their strict discipline of how to build a car that upholds the brand values. Look for profits and sales to go even higher on the back of this more affordable entry into a hot market, the compact luxury SUV market.

​

M

 

[rollo]

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/suvs/1310_2015_porsche_macan_first_ride/

 

[martinbo]

It is said that at least two V6 engines will, in fact, be directly sourced from Audi - the current supercharged V6 (already in use in Hybrid Panameras and Cayennes) and the venerable 3.0 TDI V6 diesel. The former is obviously as a result of the intention to offer a Macan Hybrid.
What's even more disappointing is that Porsche have opted to eschew the fabulous ZF 8 Speed for the "sportier" but less robust and reliable in the long run, Dual Clutch transmission. I'm betting it's not the one found in the Panamera but rather the VAG-sourced DCT from Audi.

Suspension components and wheelbase remain as per Q5 donor platform. And, potentially, VAG will also supply the four cylinder turbopetrol and turbodiesel engines in the entry-level Macan models.

 

[rollo]

I'm betting it's not the one found in the Panamera but rather the VAG-sourced DCT from Audi.

"The Audi Q5's conventional eight-speed torque converter automatic transmission was replaced by Porsche's seven-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission for crisper, more responsive shifts and performance."​

​

From the MT article martin. ​

​

 

[martinbo]

Hmmm, I need to see more before I reserve final judgement.

 

[Merc1]

Yeah MT is saying the engines will be Porsche's too??

M

 

[Centurion]

I admire that it's an SUV of substance because the market is overflooded with crossovers which are useless both off and on-road.

 

[Soup]

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

 

[rollo]

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/motor-shows/porsche-macan-teased-ahead-la-motor-show

More info (marketing tease stuff) on the Porsche USA website now as well.

 

[Centurion]

I was never excited about this car but having read a few "first rides" I'm convinced that the performance of the car will take people by surprise. The Range Rover Evoque could possible be rendered unspiring to drive.

 

[martinbo]

The Range Rover Evoque was never inspiring to drive.

 

[LaArtist]

jesus the sketches look so guuud