Porsche reveals faster 440PS new Macan GTS | GRR
Bad news on the Porsche SUV front this week: the flagship Macan Turbo is no more. But there is good news too since the new flagship of the range is the GTS and it now has the same power and performance as the erstwhile Turbo. And it is a few thousand cheaper too…
It’s all part of a cunning plan to refresh the whole Macan range. There’s a facelift front and rear, some tweaks inside and a power boost for the new three-model line-up, expected to arrive in the UK from October.
Power increases range from 20PS (15kW) extra for the 2.0-litre four-cylinder entry Macan to 60PS (44kW) more for the GTS, taking this new top model to 440PS (324kW) – exactly what the 2.9-litre V6 delivered in the Turbo. The middle-ranking Macan S gets the same V6 but with 380PS (280kW), that’s 26PS (19kW) more than before.
All the new versions are quicker than their predecessors and with 0-62mph in a best of 4.3 seconds (using launch control in the optional Sport Chrono package) the GTS is as quick as the Turbo. Top speed is 169mph and base price is £64,770 the last Turbo listed at over £68k.
For the record, the 161mph Macan S (£53,300) sprints from 0-62mph in 4.6 seconds and the four-pot entry-level model (£47,780) needs 6.2 seconds to hit 62mph, on its way to a top speed of 144mph. All engines are combined with the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and familiar all-wheel-drive system.
Sports air suspension is now standard on the GTS, along with Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) and bespoke damper settings that Porsche says strike a better balance between comfort and agility. The ride height is 10mm lower than before and the air springs up to 15 per cent stiffer.
All models get rather blocky new front and rear aprons, with black inserts – not as attractive as the old model in our book. It’s almost as if they are preparing us for the look of the electric Macan, widely tipped to be coming soon. Wheels are larger for all models (between 19 and 21 inches now) and there are seven new wheel designs to choose from. Standard on all are Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS) LED headlights.
All Macans also benefit from an upgrade in the cabin where Porsche’s familiar button-filled centre console changes from physical switches to illuminated touch pads with haptic feedback. There’s also a new clock on the dashboard – analogue, thank you very much – and the multi-function steering wheel from the 911.
Lots of options of course, including a Sport package available only for the GTS and comprising 18-way powered adjustable sport seats, carbon interior trim and Race-Tex upholstery.
And one thing you can’t get? A Turbo badge on the back. Maybe Porsche is saving that for the electric version…