SPIED: 2018 Porsche Macan – new looks, more power?

The Porsche Macan, having debuted at the 2013 Los Angeles motor show, is now four years old. It was given a slight update in November 2015, but it looks like a more significant facelift is due soon.

This set of photos was taken by our spy photographers in the northern part of Scandinavia, where two minimally-clad units of the Macan were seen undergoing winter tests. The rear end sports a new pair of taillights with redesigned graphics (first seen in February 2017), and the signature four-point LED look gets a visually dramatic update. Will the Macan get the full-width tail lamps treatment as seen on the new Cayenne? Perhaps, considering the marque’s concealing efforts from prying eyes.

The front fascia will be slightly redesigned for a more streamlined look, boasting new LED daytime running lights placed just below the headlamps. Elsewhere, things remain pretty much the same. Expect infotainment upgrades to take place in the cabin as well.

Word is power might go up – the current powertrain line-up comprises a 2.0 litre four-cylinder petrol turbo, 3.0 litre turbodiesel V6, 3.0 litre petrol turbo V6 and 3.6 litre turbo V6 in the Turbo. The Macan Turbo, together with the Performance Package, produces 440 hp and 600 Nm of torque, enabling a 0-100 km/h sprint time of 4.4 seconds and a Vmax of 272 km/h.

With the facelift, a plug-in hybrid variant is rumoured to join the range, but the details to it will only be known at a later date. The powertrain used in the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid (and Sport Turismo model) – 2.9 litre twin-turbo V6 with a 100 kW electric motor – is a likely candidate.

Back at home, Porsche recently launched the Macan SportDesign, a special 40-unit run that costs RM545k. Based on the standard Macan, the SportDesign draws power from a 2.0 litre turbo-four, making 252 hp from 5,000 to 6,800 rpm and 370 Nm of torque between 1,600 and 4,500 rpm. It’s paired with a quick-shifting seven-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission and all-wheel drive, allowing the Macan to sprint from zero to 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds before hitting a top speed of 229 km/h.

GALLERY: Porsche Macan SportDesign

Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.