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Porsche Macan (2013) on-track spy shots
By
Ollie Kew
12 June 2012 15:58
CAR’s spies have snapped Porsche’s upcoming SUV testing on the Nurburgring. The Macan, designed to sit below the full-size Cayenne in the range, is due to go on sale in early 2013.
What can we tell from these latest Porsche Macan spy shots?
Mainly, that Porsche plans to silence the naysayers who decry its brand diversification, and make sure the Macan its worthy of its Stuttgart heritage, by bestowing upon it properly sporting dynamics – hence high-speed testing on the formidable Nurburgring Nordschleife.
CAR have previously caught the Macan testing about town (perhaps its most likely natural habitat) but these new pictures show Porsche is taking its rigorous dynamic testing measures just as seriously.
The spy shots show a Macan clearly deep into its testing phase, wearing only light front and rear camouflage, hurtling round what looks to be the banked Karussell curve 8 miles into the 13-mile lap.
What else do we know about the Porsche Macan?
It'll be built alongside the Cayenne at Porsche's Leipzig factory, a facility created specifically for the production of SUV Porsches over a decade ago.
CAR understands a manual gearbox is to be offered, but Porsche's dual-clutch PDK will also feature for the first time on a Porsche off-roader; the Cayenne has always made do with a conventional torque-converter transmission. The engine range is expected be as follows:
Diesel
• 2.0 TDI 4-cyl, 187bhp/258lb ft
• 3.0 TDI V6, 261bhp/369lb ft
Petrol
• 2.0 TFSI 4-cyl, 237bhp/258lb ft
• 3.0 TFSI V6, 288bhp/295lb ft
Capping the range will be a Macan Turbo S, featuring a 345bhp 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6, and, there'll also be a Macan Hybrid, which will share its drivetrain with the Audi Q5 Hybrid Quattro.
The interior will be built around the now-trademark rising centre console, as seen in the Panamera and 911. And in an effort to differentiate the Macan further from VW Group siblings, it will come as standard with four seats – a 4+1 seating configuration for those who want to combine extra practicality will be an option.
Worried about product overlap, Audi is reported to have pushed Porsche to make the Macan a three-door only, but this was deemed threatening to potential sales by Stuttgart. Should a 'coupe' Macan eventually arrive, it'll likely be revealed in 2014.
When will I be able to buy a Porsche Macan?
Porsche are rather busy at the moment, hard at work testing the new Cayman and a hardcore GT3 version of the new 991. Don’t forget they’re also beavering away on the 918 Spyder hybrid supercar too, all of which are due over the next 18 months.
The Macan will be fast-tracked thanks to the parts it will share with similar cars within the VW Group, such as the Audi Q5, so the Macan should be making appearances in Porsche dealerships by spring 2013.
Prices will undercut the £42,990 entry-level Cayenne, but outweigh rivals such as its Audi Q5 stepsister, and BMW's X3. A battle with the stylish but pricey Range Rover Evoque looks all but inevitable when the Porsche emerges next year.
