What's the news?
It's facelift time for Porsche's successful compact SUV, the Macan, of which the German company has sold more than 350,000 units worldwide since its launch in 2014. The updated Macan was debuted in Europe for the first time at the Paris Motor Show.
Following Porsche's recent decision to back away from diesel power, perhaps the main news for the new Macan is the introduction of a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine. Actually, a 2.0-litre four-cylinder has always been a special-order option on right-hand-drive Macans, but now it forms the clear basis of the range. It has 245hp and 370Nm, sending drive to all four wheels via a seven-speed PDK twin-clutch automatic gearbox. That means the Macan can do 0-100km/h in 6.7 seconds and a top speed of 225km/h, while eco-returns are anything up to 8.1 litres/100km (34.9mpg) and CO2 emissions as low as 185g/km.
Porsche further says it has revised the Macan's chassis to make it even more enjoyable to drive, by simultaneously enhancing both the ride comfort and the handling. The Macan comes on mixed-sized tyres front-to-rear, which clothe alloy wheels that run from 18 to 21 inches in diameter. Porsche Traction Management (PTM) four-wheel drive is standard fit on the SUV.
Visually, the front of the Macan has been tidied slightly with four-point LED headlights and wider styling, but it's round the back where the facelifted Porsche will be easier to spot - as it now wears a full-width, 3D LED light strip across its boot lid. The brake lights echo the fronts with four-point cues, while customers can choose from four new colours: Mamba Green Metallic, Dolomite Silver Metallic, Miami Blue and Crayon.
Inside, the Macan has a larger, 10.9-inch wide screen for the Porsche Communication Management infotainment (it was previously 7.2 inches) and it's a fully connected system with Porsche Connect Plus, bringing in an LTE phone module, a WLAN hotspot and other services. Other options include a GT sports steering wheel (part of the Sport Chrono Package), a Traffic Assist system that basically drives the Macan in heavy traffic at speeds of up to 60km/h, a heated windscreen and an air ioniser.
Anything else?
Porsche has made the new Macan available for order immediately. It's likely to start from around €74,280 here in Ireland, with standard equipment now to include LED main headlights, as well as PCM with online navigation and the Connect Plus software.