The future electric Macan has already been announced, but for its launch it will be necessary to wait until 2023. So the manufacturer is tweaking its thermal SUV a second time with visual and technical evolutions, thus offering 26 hp more to its S version.
Test car: Porsche Macan S
|
From€ 73,597
€ 30,000 penalty
|
The smallest SUV from Porsche receives for the second time a restyling. Its V6 evolves in a 2.9 biturbo configuration to gain 26 hp on the clock and 40 Nm of torque. The set displays a total of 380 hp and 520 Nm. Enough to give the Macan S performance on the level of the previous GTS version, which goes from 380 to 440 hp. At the entry level, the four-cylinder reaches 265 hp.
For this “re-restyling”, Zuffenhausen engineers fine-tuned the powertrain, steering feel and PASM active suspension settings. They have thus managed to increase the level of performance of this family SUV (4.73 m), a model of conquest of which the 600,000 units sold since 2014 worldwide have been 80% sold to new customers of the brand.
The Macan S increases its power to 380 hp, joining the level of performance previously provided by the GTS version.
For the electrification of the Macan, Porsche is betting everything on the future purely electric generation. No hybridization, even slight, reinforces the thermal model. The cosmetic evolution is also notable. The Macan receives a new front bumper that changes its face, with a large black or partly painted grille, to choose from among the (very many) options. The side guards have a new structured surface, and the rear bumper includes a more adventurous look. New rims are also appearing, as well as new body colors, optional or on special order.
Aerodynamics have also been slightly revised, as has the optional adaptive cruise control. There are also some alterations in the cabin. This adopts a new central console, exchanging its physical buttons for tactile ones. The beautiful steering wheel of the 911 joins the cockpit, and the instrumentation is updated on occasion. Nothing very revolutionary therefore for this facelift, which is above all an opportunity to rediscover one of the SUVs with the most assertive sporting character.
Price Porsche Macan S 2021
The slightly increasing prices are justified by higher performance and equipment. Active Led headlights are now supplied as standard, for example. But with a greedy price of 73,597 € for the Macan S, to which must be added the 30,000 € ecological penalty (40,000 € next year!) Now essential for such petrol models, the budget goes to six figures. This does not prevent certain always surprising shortcomings at this level of the range! It is therefore necessary to go through the options box to be entitled to basic equipment such as reversing cameras or reading speed limit signs, both quite essential on such a car.
The Macan takes advantage of this restyling to receive for the first time an automatic parking aid, always optional of course (368 €). Finally, it is possible to play with the Porsche Exklusive Manufaktur options to personalize your car as much as possible and, for example, to match the seams of the seats to the exterior color. What still easily encumber the total price.
Driving
Our test version included the options “which go well” to optimize behavior, with active air suspension, the Torque Vectoring Plus system which contributes to cornering efficiency, ceramic brakes, sport exhaust, servo steering at speed and the Sport Chrono package, an extended addition of around € 14,000. An investment that is justified for driving enthusiasts because the Macan S then becomes seriously fast and efficient, but also playful and mobile on demand, without ever sacrificing comfort.
The Sport Chrono pack makes it possible to benefit from the magic wheel on the steering wheel to easily change driving mode, with clearly marked attributes. Between Normal, Sport and Sport Plus, the management of the PDK gearbox, the character of the engine, the sound and the suspension are set in very different configurations. PSM stability management becomes more permissive with its Sport mode, further raising the propulsion-type behavior a notch. Happiness in driving (very) dynamic. Thus endowed, the Macan literally erases any feeling of dealing with a 2-ton SUV …
The perfect driving position, the instantaneous acceleration without inertia, the precision of the steering, the liveliness of the reminders, the perfectly controlled body movements, all combine to offer real sporty driving pleasure at the wheel of the car. And the beautiful, winding, wet roads of the Lofoten Islands in northern Norway have proven to be excellent terrain to make sure of. At this rate, consumption has struggled to fall below the bar. 13 l / 100 km, recalling the laws of physics, with a large gasoline engine in a heavy car, when we had almost forgotten thanks to the magic of its running gear.
On board
Competetion
SUVs with sporting overtones are part of the range of other premium manufacturers, starting with BMW. Its X4 M40i, restyled this summer, also develops a power of 360 hp (€ 79,650). At Mercedes, we can oppose the GLC Coupé 43 AMG, strong 390 hp and displayed at 76,050 €. On the Audi side, the Q5 Sportback shares its technical base with the Macan. It is offered with a plug-in hybrid version that ticks the right boxes for today’s market, with a 55 TFSI e version of 367 hp and without penalty (€ 73,650). But it could not compete with the Porsche SUV in terms of sportiness, even if on paper its performance is of an excellent level.
Find the balance sheet, equipment and technical sheet on the next page …
