MOTORING NEWS - Porsche has unveiled the new version of its compact SUV in Dubai recently. The Macan has been a great success since its launch in 2014 and has now been enhanced in terms of design, comfort, connectivity and driving dynamics, cementing the model firmly as the brand's sporty flagship SUV.
Staying true to the Porsche design, the new Macan features a three-dimensional LED tail light strip and LED headlights as standard.
The most striking innovations inside the vehicle include an 11" touchscreen of the new Porsche Communication Management (PCM), as well as re-designed and re-positioned air vents. The GT sports steering wheel is familiar from the 911 model.
The PCM also enables access to new digital functions, including intelligent voice control. The vehicle's range of comfort equipment has also been expanded to include an ioniser and windscreen heating.
DESIGN UPDATES
The Macan has an even sportier and modern appearance, thanks to a number of changes to the exterior. The front end of the Macan has been meticulously re-worked, now appearing wider, while the comprehensive overhaul at the rear builds on the sleek design of the previous model.
The new Macan's link to the 911 is emphasised with the optional GT sports steering wheel.
Porsche has extended the list of comfort options to include a heated windscreen and an ioniser to improve air quality. New exterior colours such as Miami Blue, Mamba Green Metallic, Dolomite Silver Metallic and Crayon combined with new interior packages ensure that the Macan can be customised.
Through the new Porsche Communication Management (PCM), the Macan offers total connectivity and numerous digital functions. Above the typical Porsche rising centre console, a full-HD touchscreen enlarged to 11" has been incorporated seamlessly into the newly designed instrument panel. Similar to the Panamera and Cayenne, the user interface on the infotainment system can be customised using predefined tiles. The air vents are now positioned below the central screen.
Each Macan is equipped with a Connect Plus module, making the vehicle fully networked. Using the new Off-road Precision App, it is also possible to record and analyse off-road driving experiences in the model.
DRIVING DYNAMICS
Thanks to an optimised chassis, the new Macan is able to consolidate its exceptional status as a sports car in the compact SUV segment.
Unusual for the SUV segment, the Macan features mixed tyres with different widths on the front and rear axles. As with Porsche sports cars, this arrangement enables the driver to take advantage of the intelligent, all-wheel drive Porsche Traction Management (PTM) when it comes to driving dynamics.
Newly developed tyres with improved performance characteristics enable even better lateral dynamics for enhanced driving pleasure, while the new 20" and 21" wheels also offer greater scope to customise the design.
The Macan is a genuine success story for Porsche. The combination of typical Porsche performance on any terrain coupled with a high degree of everyday practicality impressed customers from its debut.
Since 2014, Porsche has delivered more than 350 000 units. With over 100 000 deliveries to date in China, the model has been especially popular. The version of the model was also presented in Shanghai and will be offered exclusively in the Chinese market and a range of Macan derivatives will be launched for other regions in due course. Readers will be kept informed on developments for the local market.
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