Review: Porsche Macan (2014-on)

Review: Porsche Macan (2014-18)

Overview

Released in Australia in May 2014, the Porsche Macan is a mid-size SUV. Manufactured in Leipzig, Germany, the all-wheel drive Porsche Macan range initially consisted of S, S Diesel and Turbo variants. However, production of the Macan GTS commenced in January 2016 and the entry-level Macan with four-cylinder engine in June 2016.

Production of diesel-fuelled Porsche Macan vehicles was discontinued in February 2018.

Engines

Of the engines,

• For the Macan S, the 3.0-litre petrol engine has an aluminium block (96 mm bore, 69 mm stroke), an aluminium cylinder head, two turbochargers providing peak boost pressure of 1 bar (14.5 psi), direct fuel injection, dry sump lubrication, double overhead camshafts (per cylinder bank), four valves per cylinder, Porsche’s VarioCam Plus (variable valve timing and camshaft control) and a compression ratio of 9.8:1. The engine for the Macan GTS had the same properties, though boost pressure is understood to have been slightly increased;
• The Macan Turbo engine has similar properties, but its 3.6-litre displacement was achieved by increasing stroke by 14 mm to 83 mm. Furthermore, peak boost pressure was raised to 1.2 bar (17.4 psi) and the compression ratio to 10.5:1; and,
• The Macan D diesel engine has a cast iron block, an aluminium cylinder head, common-rail injection via piezo injectors (operating at 2000 bar), a single turbocharger, double overhead camshafts (per cylinder bank), four valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 16.8:1. To minimise tailpipe emissions, this engine utilises exhaust gas recirculation and a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system which injects a urea solution (AdBlue) into the exhaust gases to convert nitrogen oxides into nitrogen and water.

To minimise fuel consumption, all engines have:

• An ‘Auto Start-Stop’ function which can shut down the engine when the vehicle is stationary in traffic; and,
• A coasting function which disengages the drivetrain when the driver lifts off the throttle to eliminate engine braking.

A seven-speed double clutch transmission (DCT, or Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe, PDK) is fitted as standard across the range.

Platform and dimensions

The Porsche Macan is 4681 mm long (4699 mm for the Macan Turbo), 1923 mm wide, 1624 mm tall and has a 2807 mm wheelbase; its drag coefficient was 0.35 Cd. Significantly, the Macan is underpinned by a new version of Volkswagen’s MLB platform; although the Macan was reported to be based on the Audi 8R Q5 platform, the 8R Q5 was underpinned by an older version of the MLB platform which is appreciably heavier; for comparable drivetrains, the Macan is around 130 kg lighter than the Audi 8R Q5 .

Suspension

The Macan has five-link front suspension with unequal length wishbones and self-tracking trapezoidal-link rear suspension, adjustable dampers and conventional anti-roll bars front and rear. Beyond this, the Macan GTS and Turbo are fitted with ‘Porsche Active Suspension Management’ (PASM) which consists of continuously variable dampers and enables the driver to select from Comfort, Sport and Sport Plus control maps. Furthermore, the Macan Turbo has air spring suspension which can increase the ride height by 32 mm for off-road driving.

Drive modes

The Porsche Macan has selectable Normal, Sport and Sport Plus drive modes. In the Sport and Sport Plus modes, the Macan provides firmer damper settings, greater throttle response, faster steering ratios (for the electromechanical power-assisted steering), sportier gearshift programming and disables the Auto Start-Stop function. 

AWD system

The Porsche Macan is fitted with a ‘Porsche Traction Management’ (PTM) all-wheel drive system which utilised an electronically-controlled, multi-plate clutch. In this system, the rear axle is always driven and the front axle receives its drive torque from the rear axle, with this torque dependent on the locking ratio of the clutch.

The driver can also engage an off-road driving mode via a button in the centre console for speeds up to 80 km/h. When activated, the off-road driving mode:

• Pre-tensions the clutch to a greater degree for faster torque transfers;
• Increases the torque distribution to the front axle;
• Reduces throttle sensitivity; and,
• Adjusts gearshift points.

For descents, the Porsche Hill Control (PHC) system can be activated via a button in the centre console and maintains vehicle speed in the range of 3 km/h and 29 km/h.

As an extra-cost option, the Porsche Macan is available with Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (or PTV Plus) which consists of a mechanical rear axle differential lock that can brake the inside rear wheel when cornering to enable cross-axle torque transfers.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Porsche Macan includes dual front airbags, front and rear side airbags, full-length curtain airbags (i.e. for front and rear occupants), ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.

Optional safety equipment for the Macan includes a Lane Departure Warning System, Lane Change Assist System and Adaptive Cruise Control with Porsche Active Safe (collision warnings and automated braking).

From January 2016 production, the Lane Departure Warning system is fitted as standard.

Euro NCAP testing

In Euro NCAP testing , the 2014 Porsche Macan 2.0 TFSI received a five star safety rating which included an 88 per cent adult occupant protection rating and an 87 per cent child occupant protection rating. In the offset crash test, protection of the driver’s head, neck, thighs and feet were rated as good, though protection of the driver’s chest and lower left leg were rated as adequate (i.e. a slight risk of serious injury). In the side impact test, occupant protection was rated as good for all areas. In the more pole test, however, protection of the driver’s chest and abdomen were rated as adequate.

Brakes

The Macan S and Macan S Diesel are fitted with 350 mm by 34 mm front brake discs with six-piston calipers and 330 mm by 22 mm rear discs with single piston calipers.

The Macan GTS and Turbo have 360 mm by 36 mm front brake discs with six-piston calipers; while the Macan GTS has the same rear discs as the Macan S, the Macan Turbo has 356 mm by 28 mm rear discs (still with single-piston calipers).

Features: Macan S and Turbo

Standard features for the Macan S and Macan S Diesel include 19-inch alloy wheels with 235/55 R19 front and 255/50 R19 rear tyres, Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system including a seven-inch colour touch screen, satellite navigation with 3D maps and a 40 GB hard drive, a 235 watt sound system with 11 speakers, a CD/DVD player, digital radio and auxiliary inputs (3.5 mm/USB/iPod), hard-disk drive, Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity and audio streaming, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, front seats with Alcantara centre panels, cruise control, bi-xenon headlights, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, front and rear parking sensors, 40:20:40 split and folding rear seats, steering wheel gearshift paddles, remote central locking, power mirrors (with heating, folding and kerbside tilting on reverse), power windows, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment, a power-operated tailgate, 12 volt power sockets, a trip computer, an alarm and immobiliser.

The Macan Turbo is further equipped with 20-inch alloy wheels with 265/45 R20 front and 295/40 R20 rear tyres, a 545 watt Bose Surround Sound system with 14 speakers, a 200 watt active subwoofer and nine amplifier channels, leather seats, eighteen-way adjustable front sports seats with active bolsters, proximity key (i.e. keyless entry), push-button start, driver memory settings, ambient lighting, alcantara roof lining and brushed aluminium interior trim.

Extra-cost options for the Macan include ventilated front seats, a two-part panoramic roof and a Burmester High-End Surround Sound system with 16 speakers, an active subwoofer, an integrated 300 watt Class D amplifier and a total output of more than 1000 watts.

May 2015 update

In May 2015, standard features for the Macan were extended to include tyre pressure monitoring.

Features: Macan GTS

The Macan GTS will be fitted with 20-inch ‘RS Spyder’ alloy wheels that have a matt black paint finish, a Porsche Communication Management (PCM) connectivity and infotai Nment system with multi-touch monitor and GTS seats. Visual cues for the Macan GTS include exterior accents in black (high gloss above the waistline and in a matt finish for lower areas) and a Porsche ‘Sport Design’ package.

Macan: January 2016 production

From January 2016 production, standard features for the Australian-delivered Porsche Macan were extended to include the Porsche Communication Management system (PCM) with voice control, a digital radio tuner and three-zone climate control air conditioning.

Brochure

• Brochure: Porsche Macan (January 2014)

Related links

• Porsche Cars Australia: Porsche Macan
• Wikipedia.org: Porsche Macan

Review: Porsche Macan (2018-on)

Overview

Production of the updated Porsche Macan commenced in August 2018 and it was available to order in Australia from October 2018. Visually, the updated Porsche Macan could be identified by its new LED headlights and revised front mask which sought to make it appear wider. At the rear, the updated Macan had ‘four point’ design brake lights and a three-piece LED light strip. Four new paint finishes were also introduced: Miami Blue, Mamba Green Metallic, Dolomite Silver Metallic and Crayon.

According to Porsche, the updated Macan introduced an ‘optimised’ chassis and newly developed tyres with improved performance characteristics.

Safety equipment

For the Adaptive Cruise Control system, a new Traffic Jam Assist function was introduced. Traffic Jam Assist operated at speeds up to 60 km/h to provide partially automated acceleration and braking, and steering in slow-moving traffic.

Interior and features

Inside, the updated Macan featured a new Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system which had a 10.9-inch HD touchscreen (previously 7.2-inch), and re-designed air vents that were positioned below the touchscreen. PCM provided access to new digital functions such as an online navigation system and intelligent voice control. As standard, the Macan was equipped with a ‘Connect Plus’ module for network connectivity – this module also enabled digital functions and services such as intelligent voice control and real-time traffic information for the navigation system.

Beyond these changes, standard features for Australian-delived Porsche Macan vehicles were extended to include fourteen-way ‘comfort’ seats with memory package, LED headlights, auto-dimming interior and exterior mirrors, and Porsche’s ParkAssist with Surround View.

As an option, the Macan could be fitted with a ‘GT’ sports steering wheel as per the 991 911.

Related links

• Porsche Cars Australia: Porsche Macan
• Wikipedia.org: Porsche Macan