Porsche teases facelifted Macan
BY JUSTIN HILLIARD | 17th Jul 2018
PORSCHE has confirmed its facelifted Macan mid-size SUV will break cover later this month, with the best-selling model to be “significantly enhanced in terms of its design, comfort, connectivity and driving dynamics”.
While the German sportscar-maker has stopped short of a full reveal, it has released several images of camouflaged Macan prototypes undergoing high-altitude testing in Lesotho in Southern Africa.
Tweaked headlights, tail-lights, bumpers and alloy wheels can be seen in the images, although the light camouflage does its best to conceal their final form.
Each new part of the Macan was subjected to extreme loads over the last few months, specifically with a focus on demanding conditions including “rough asphalt, dusty gravel roads and hostile mountain passages”, according to Porsche, so an improved suspension set-up seems likely.
In order to assess these components, the engineering mules were taken up to 3400m above sea level in Lesotho, where the brand says “the sportscar masquerading as a (mid-size) SUV also impressively demonstrated its off-road capabilities”.
Other than Porsche’s promise of extensive revisions, little else is officially known about the upgraded Macan, other than the fact it will make its market debut in China at the end of July, meaning its international premiere is imminent.
Overseas spy shots indicate that the interior is set for a major overhaul, with a reworked dashboard to integrate a larger touchscreen infotainment system.
All existing engines are also in line for a tickle, but the S Diesel grade is not expected to return after being axed in February this year. Meanwhile, a plug-in e-Hybrid variant may not arrive until the second-generation model likely set for early next decade.
For reference, the current five-grade Macan line-up ranges in price from $80,110 before on-road costs for the entry-level variant to $147,000 for the flagship Turbo with Performance Package.
Launched into the Australian market in May 2014, the Macan has been a major success for Porsche Cars Australia, with four consecutive annual overall sales records achieved since its inception.
However, sales of the Macan have taken a hit this year, with 1271 examples sold to the end of June – a 9.7 per cent decrease over the 1407 deliveries made during the same period in 2017.
Nonetheless, this effort places the Macan seventh in the premium mid-size-SUV segment this year, trailing the BMW X3 (2954 units), Mercedes-Benz GLC (2947), Audi Q5 (2225), Lexus NX (2213), Land Rover Discovery Sport (1665) and Volvo XC60 (1322).
