Opening up a new segment is a sure-fire way to gain more traction in the marketplace, especially if you happen to be a sports car maker, and going the downsizing route surely helps – in a world that has become more austere, making it smaller and cheaper isn’t seen as a bad thing now, even for the lofty.
Indeed, making it more approachable for buyers is the trick, because after all, there are only so many two-seaters one can shift. Flash and clout will continue to sell, but hey, if it can be had for smaller and cheaper, why not? You also open up the brand to new customers, and if you happen to have a spanking new factory, you do need new – and more – customers.
Case in point, the Porsche Macan. It’s the automaker’s sixth model line, and looking at how it’s all shaping up, the tiger is likely to be one of Stuttgart’s best sellers. The third attempt at pitching four-doors and versatility is far better resolved than the two that came before it – it looks the business, correctly plays the right downsizing cards and sounds attractively priced (well, until you really start ticking the options boxes). All points to a proper volume seller, then.
The adage that big things don’t usually look pretty (or don’t look pretty in big) certainly holds true here, all amplified by the Macan’s arrival – the Cayenne looks ungainly and tired standing next to its new compact sibling, and that other four-door attempt, the Panamera, well, wasn’t exactly the prettiest thing to begin with…
This one is handsome, with good visual appeal coming off its lines in the flesh – the shape has a good tautness about it, and in terms of sleekness it more than holds its own against the more angular Range Rover Evoque and far edgier (and cheaper) Lexus NX. To this writer’s eyes, it’s definitely more winsome than the F26 BMW X4, another of its competitors. Inside, the cabin is prim and proper Porsche, and contrasting trim colours seem to fair nicely in this one.
In Malaysia, the premium compact SUV – which was launched last September – is available in four variant forms. The entry-level Macan, priced from RM420,000 in its base configuration, features a Volkswagen-derived 2.0 litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, paired with a seven-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission. The Porsche-tweaked mill offers 237 PS at 5,000 to 6,800 rpm and 350 Nm from 1,500 to 4,500 rpm in the way of output, and performance specs include a 0-100 km/h time of 6.9 seconds and a 223 km/h top speed.
The next petrol model up, the Macan S, ramps things up considerably – its 3.0 litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine puts out 340 PS from 5,500 to 6,500 rpm and 460 Nm of torque from 1,450 to 5,000 rpm. It gets to the century in 5.4 seconds (5.2 if the optional Sport Chrono package is present) and has a 254 km/h top speed. Pricing for this one starts from RM560,000.
If you prefer your S model as an oil burner, there’s the Macan S Diesel, which is slightly cheaper than its petrol alternative at RM545,000. The variant’s 3.0 litre turbodiesel V6 engine turns out 245 PS at 4,000 to 4,500 rpm and 580 Nm of torque from 1,750 to 2,500 rpm, and gets the S Diesel to 100 km/h from standstill in 6.3 seconds (6.1 seconds with the optional Sport Chrono package) on to a top speed of 230 km/h.
The range topper is the Macan Turbo, which starts from RM785,000. Its 3.6 litre twin-turbo V6 lump pushes out 400 PS at 6,000 rpm and 550 Nm from 1,350 to 4,500 rpm. As expected, it’s the fastest Macan, doing the 0-100km/h sprint in 4.8 seconds (4.6 with Sport Chrono on), and the top speed is 266 km/h.
Identification of the variants is a simple enough affair – the tailpipes and brake calipers provide the necessary clues as to which is which. For the former, the base Macan wears two rhombus-shaped tailpipes, while the Macan S and Macan S Diesel get quad round pipes – the Macan Turbo also has quads, but they are rhombus-shaped.
As for brake calipers, black identifies the base Macan, silver the Macan S and Macan S Diesel and red, the Turbo. Of course, owners can go yellow with the optional Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB) system. Sounds colourful, no?
Speaking of options, well, there are plenty to be had – the dress-up route for the Macan is extensive, from going the larger wheel route (up to 21-inches, if you want) to specifying items such as chrome highlights, aluminium roof rails, exterior/interior carbon-fibre add-ons and air suspension, it’s all here. In typical Porsche fashion, packages abound, with the limit being your wallet (and mental resistance).
So yes, it looks snazzy, and there’s plenty in the way of choice and kit, but what’s it like to drive? Sime Darby Auto Performance gave us the chance to find out with a half-day run on the SUV to Ipoh and back. The sampling platter consisted of three of the four variants (the base Macan, Macan S and Macan S Diesel), with the Turbo left out.
With two to a vehicle and three to try, mostly on the expressway, drive time on each was naturally limited, so this first drive report isn’t going to be very long. First impressions were good – as expected, the Macan S was lively on the uptake, tracking cleanly and soaking up road imperfections nicely, but the real positive were the hints of its agile, light-footed nature, already felt out on the highway.
The underlying character is very different to that of its larger sibling, no surprise given the difference in age, bulk and technical evolution between the two platforms. If anything, the Cayenne feels that more ponderous, now that this one is here.
Fast and responsive to throttle, both petrol and oil burner S models shone through their powertrains, but the real, absolute surprise was how well the base 2.0 litre Macan drove and how dynamically impressive it was for a 1.8 tonne vehicle.
Keen and willing would be the best descriptors, displayed best on the B-road stretch of the run – into the corners, the 2.0 offering drove beautifully, with poise and conviction. Communication levels were high, the steering sharp and tracking, incisive. With the least nose heavy feel of the trio, its sharpness and nimble balance made for the most driving fun.
In this regard, it feels far more supple than the BMW X4 – which is technically very accomplished but feels a bit too heavy-set in disposition – and the Evoque. Driving dynamics won’t really matter for most buyers, but for those who cherish such things, this one arguably defines the rubric of the premium compact SUV segment at the moment.
As for power, despite its on-paper credentials being lacking compared to the S versions, the 2.0 litre mill doesn’t feel too short going into close quarters and the accompanying twisty bits. In the end, the runt was easily my pick of the assembled trio over the short sampling run.
Compelling? It is, but there’s a caveat concerning pricing – RM420,000 for the base Macan makes it sound immensely attractive (compared to the X4 and Evoque), and it would be if it were that. That, however, just gets you a Plain Jane car, and the reality is that options boxes will need to be ticked to get it glowing, easily taking things past the RM500k mark.
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I got it first, babeh!
This is a damn expensive Volkswagen!! who the hell in the right mind to buy this!! Some more get tapao easily by a cheaper car.
What’s all this ah beng tapao idiocy. Tapao your stupid head. Who gives a crap who wins at the stoplight, then into traffic jam. At least give performance numbers or any substantial intelligent argument.
Apart from a badge… everything else UGLY. Seen it on the road.. Small SUV with small beady rear lights and ugly front DRL
I saw more Macan than Iriz. It shows people know what is a good car and which car is ugly
You see more Cayenne than Macan kid and those SUV had been here loooooooooongg ago
Go back to school and learn more ok
Agree this macan is damn ugly and weak.
What performance numbers, go and read it yourself lah bodoh! Everything want spoon feed kah?
ah beng tapao idiocy? don’t tell me buying a Porsche and want to drive like….an old auntie. It would be like a pondan try to look macho.
So it can be beaten by cheaper car in drag race, but it tapau these cheaper car for being more prestige and attention magnet.
Basically, more than 70% of Macan owners will not drive recklessly just to prove their cars are fast.
Not surprising, since most that drive recklessly are Proton owners(always want to smoke others) even though their cars are slow
Wrong. It’s Myvi and Vios
Echoed ‘cam2ep’ comment, most of the reckless drivers are those junk car drivers with ‘Lagi Power, Best ooh’ (lagi sohai got lah) and TRD wannabe ricer.
Same can be said for the Audi which is using VW stuff too or the Lexus and Infiniti which are under Toyota and Nissan.
Yes a cheaper car will kick the base Macan’s ass say the VW Golf GTR or the R version but try doing it in on wet roads or taking your Golf into the woods and see how it handles in those places and you’d wish you had the Macan instead.
Let’s not even compare how much stuff the Golf can carry if you went to Ikea comparing to the Macan…
Ya ya ya, Lamborghini also just a Volkswagen, Bentley too.
How sad it must be for someone’s life if they need to care about smoking someone else at the traffic light.
Because loser in the things that truly matter in life?
Inferiority Complex?
That’s the sad life of Proton owners, you can’t blame them since they can’t afford a better car so have to badmouth other cars
oh, so there are many people spent few million to buy a VW. Feel sad and sorry to them.
DISLIKE, you can tell that to your king but probably he isn’t using his own money to buy the cars
@lee
Badmouth exprt here is T SA = Same L0rrrr
I cannot brain why must dragging in p1 in every articles? p1 cars are not that slow nowadays
yeah yeah, continue using others user name to leave a comment if this make you feel happy.
No need reason to dislike you. Fake
Agree it is a Fake Porsche but at least it is a real VW.
Ya, ya… Fake Porsche but can you afford it? If not, just get a real Proton
It’s not about get tapao other car. The problem is you can’t afford it. Get lost LOSER!
You Dr. apa? Dr. Kaki todi kah? How you know he can’t afford?…. Wah make a statement from ass. Real loser is you.
As long as its not a kimchi, it will have RV
No other story or comment to talk about? Repeat same thing everyday. Don’t you bored?
Bcoz he got paid
The truth had been found
Or too much free time at his ‘beloved god’ UMW showroom or too many ‘potential’ buyers at Toyota showroom, but ended up almost all ‘potential’ buyers get angry and pissed off due to very low safety spec and somemore cannot ask for more offer/promotion one (according to most of their ‘friendly’ sales advisor, jangan persoal, because our car is the best in the world in RV, you try to buy cars from other brand including kimchis, i guarantee you will be hailat and back to our Toyota after 1 – 2 years)
As long as it’s Sam Loo comment, it’s rubbish!
few days ago i saw the x4 on the road , for the first time , n it honeslty looks alot better in real than pics, very very cool and masculine…
yess the Macan is a Porsche n thats enough to justify the premium , bt the x4 is roughly around 70k cheaper , n thats not a small amount even if ur in this ‘league’…
ya the evoque looks nice bt dynamically its nowhere near the Macan and X4…i go for the X4 bt Macan has better interior for sure….
dont shoot the x4 yet , jus see in in person u might change ur mind…!
This is much more better looking than the X4. But for the same price as the base Macan, why not get a Touareg.
True but some people rather be seen in a Porsche than an el cheapo VW which is rated as a taxi/car rental/emergency response vehicle overseas.
IMHO choosing an Evoque or the X4 would have been better choices as those do carry premium badges along with its name and the spec it has is pretty good.
The new Toyota Klugger sold in Oz is even better looking.
Only AUD44k ~ RM130k, service pricing capped at AUD180 for the first 5 years
Klugger = Fugly Fortuner!
Porsche Macan 2.0: 237PS@5,000rmp, 350Nm@1,500rpm
Toyota Kluger 3.3 V6: 230hp@6,800rpm, 328Nm@4,400rpm
The smallest Porsche has more torque at 1,500rpm than the biggest Kluger has at 4,400rpm.
Latest Klugger in Oz is 3.5V6 NA engine 2WD or 4WD variants
Do your homework before bitching.
Hahaha, even the thirsty 3.5 V6 has less torque at higher rpms, compared with the smallest 2.0 Macan:
Kluger 3.5 V6: 337Nm@4700rpm
Macan 2.0: 350Nm@1,500rpm
Better do your homework next time before bitching, boy.
People that don’t read or can’t read compares NA and non-NA engines.
Maybe they also can’t even tell the difference if the salesman sells a Tata Mahindra to him disguised as a Ssangyong Korando
Is it my problem that Toyota is not able to build a turbo, boy?
BTW: The Klugger is a good car to drive construction workers to the construction site (this is what it’s used for in Australia). But compare a car with the handling of a lorry with a Porsche? Common boy… :D
you wot m8? 44k in Oz for a half assed SUV? Are you based in Oz by any chance?
Will written Anthony. Very nice… this. Makes a good daily driver :)
@Anthony Lim
“ponderous” – brilliant choice of word. This has to be said. Brevity rarely used nowadays. Conveys what I need to know succintly vs the Cayenne. And not too fckin flowery like all those British-mag wannabe writers. eg “the road melts with the thunderous engine bla bla bla crap”.
Meh. The true porsche experience to get is the 911.
For a baby suv, save ur money and life, get the Volvo XC60 T6.
Volvo got no name like Porsche
The macan is not the Porsche’s signature dish anyway.
Volvo is always about being quiet and unassuming. Perfect if u dun have inferiority complex to need a car to show u got a small dick. For all else, Volvo is most value for money, safest, best aftersales care too.
Don’t tokok if u cannot afford. Save ur money and life, get an Iriz
u say liddat u win liao lor
I will choose GLA 45 AMG any time than this Volkswagen.
My 2 cents take on this Macan…its still a premium vehicle which is priced above its rivals, one should disregard the entry RM420k price as that comes with nothing while the Evoque and X4 (adaptive suspension, surround view cameras, etc) are almost fully kitted for the price it asks.
I’ve seen the Macan in the metal and it does look nice in all the colours it comes with and even nicer with the optional xenon lights but the center console is typical Porsche which is filled with too many buttons to my liking.
Having said that, I’d pick the Macan as I get the usefulness of a SUV which can enter corners like no other. The many video reviews from overseas will agree with me.
Now if only the options list weren’t so expensive…
Get a used. 997 911 and an evoque. Better drive on weekends and better 4wd when you need it for about the same price as a Macan S
@seancorr, I have to agree with you. The Macan looks good. But like you said the option list is absurd. Who charges for Cruise Control these days?!?!
Nice Article. I quite agree, If I’ve ever wanted to buy one. The Options alone will make me go over-budget but I’m sure if you can afford a Macan, money is no object..
one word SEXY
two words WORK HARD
3 words SAMe L0rrrr is sucky
Why must drag Same L0rrrr in every article even he did not comment here? Also that is 4 words if you know how to count
It is beyond obvious that this fella has been showed the Hilux before
mercedes GLA better
Better or not I not sure, but sure will MAKAN this MACAN anytime.
But still you cannot afford neither both.
Pity.
what to do…this year need donate to flood victim…
Sounded like MAKAN
Maybe its just me. I prefer the design of the current Cayenne over the Macan. The Macan looks a bit like its been boxed in. The Cayenne which has a longer wheelbase looks sleeker and more premium, which it should be considering its target market. Having said that, the Macan is still a very good looking car. I would prefer this over the X4 (i think its ugly) & Evoque. The Lexus NX is good looking too, but doesnt quite have the handling credentials of the Germans. Though I suspect the NX probably has more interior space as does the Macan’s sibling (the Audi Q5). So does depend on what the buyer wants: excitement or something with more space. The closest car to mix both excitement & practicality in this class is the Q5, in my opinion.
Work harder and you might be able to afford this Macan, albeit second hand
Apparently, its selling like hot cakes…..was told that one salesperson sold 10 units last month…to be fair, most key automobile groups share similar platforms and technologies to save cost. But the fact that its a souped up VW with a GTI derived powerplant makes me wonder…hmmm
Okay, I don’t know why but I actually liked the current Cayenne a lot. The old one as baloney, but the current one is actually very interesting. Even the Panamera, I like it, especially the face lifted rear, though the preface lift’s front was ok but rear was a joke.
Having said that, the Macan is a true Porsche I must say, just sitting in the Cayenne or Panamera then sitting in the Macan, the quality and fit and finish is exactly the same. Flawless. The Macan in terms of design, just like the Cayenne is unique I would say in the front, needs some getting used to. The rear, is very well done. The lights. Wow.
Compared to the Evoque, the Macan’s interior materials is the same or slightly better than the Evoque, though at least in the old Evoque, real leather was standard, the new one has a lower grade leather while the Macan needs an optional leather interior. And that’s the thing, option up a Macan to reasonable specs and it costs a bit too much. I was interested in one, before the indicated prices were revealed, but when I saw the price before options, had to hold on… If only the base price was at 400k, I would say spot on considering the X4 which has about the same interior space surprisingly as the Macan costs around there.
I just saw in The Star newspapers today…base Macan listed as RM425k…wtf? Increase by 5k out of nowhere.
The Euro is getting stronger and stronger. Just like VW I guess that’s why they have revised if up.
Wonder what happened to price reduction on cars…
That’s 2015 price… If u ask y, the will blame ringgit depreciation.
But this price going up was already known long time ago, in fact in September . Was told 20k then revised to 5k
Willing seller and willing buyer,
Something like dat laa
nice front but ugly butt….doesn’t match at all
What a joke? A starting price at USD 45k toy Cayenne becomes RM420k ( USD 118k) in bolehland?
Thanks to P1, we get double the price for the same car
“340 PS from 3,300 to 6,500 rpm and 460 Nm of torque from 1,450 to 5,000 rpm”
you obviously dont understand car tech. if it were to make 340ps @ 3,300rpm it would be over 700Nm!
Good golly, you’re right, it would be well over a third more in torque output! That’s what happens when you type too many digits. Corrected to the actual 5,500; thanks for the spot.
They can’t afford it because their salary only 5K++. At least 20K to 30K per month! Or you already borrow money from loanshark?! hehehe….
At 20k to 30k per month salary, I will not buy a VW.
What would you buy? Iriz?
macam kereta tun mamak je… eh mana ada… tun mamak kan sekarang bawak iriz je… iriz bagus kata dia…
Don’t bother so much on what car can tapau me at traffic light and low RV whatsoever.
As long I enjoy the ride with all the built in gadgets and easily can reach 250km/h without struggling. I’m more than happy.
Once you drive continental car, you will never look back for asian car. F10
It might not be true that VW Golf is bad on wet road as compared to Macan. Try check this out,
http://www.automobilesreview.com/auto-news/volkswagen-golf-r-is-the-safest-car-on-wet-roads/91969/
Macan looks good, same Q5 chasis with porsche tweaks i suppose?
@Ted9622
I agree on that statement too, because four-wheel drive gives you traction, not grip. So it does not mean the Porsche Macan can perform better than Volkswagen GTI on wet roads.
@macai Hmm..I believe there are different value obtained by having either Macan or VW. Different people persue different value right?
Buy macan no money makan