Porsche adds off-road models to its line-up with the new Macan and Macan 4S
The new all-electric Porsche Macan was launched in January and is available in two variants: the Macan 4 (starting at $133,700) and the Macan Turbo (starting at $180,100, excluding road tolls). The two cars will completely replace the now-discontinued gasoline-powered Porsche Macan with an all-electric and one of the industry's most advanced 800-volt electric architectures. However, the impact of significant price increases and all-electric mobility on existing customers remains in question.
That question was answered at a brand event in Sydney last week, where Porsche Australia confirmed "hundreds" of bookings for the new model, more than half of which came from existing Porsche owners.
Still, that hasn't stopped the brand from expanding its model lineup. Porsche has introduced a more affordable single-motor Macan (starting at $128,400 without on-road fees) with a range of up to 654 km (ADR 81/02) and a faster Macan 4S (starting at $149,300 without on-road fees) with up to 380 kW (516 PS).
The entry-level Porsche Macan uses a 250kW single motor mounted on the rear axle. It is identical to the Macan 4 but in a single-motor configuration. This results in reduced weight (-110 kg), reduced drag, and a longer range of up to 654 km (ADR 81/02) on a 100kWh battery.
It's no slouch either, boasting an overboost power of up to 265 kW (360 PS) and 563 Nm of torque, a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 5.7 seconds and a top speed of 220 km/h.
Even in this entry-level model, the Macan uses the 800-volt architecture of the Advanced Electric Platform (PPE), which enables a fast charging capability of up to 270 kilowatts. This means that if you can find a suitable charging station, a high-voltage battery can be charged from 10% to 80% in about 21 minutes.
You also get the same technology, including a 12.6-inch curved display, a 10.9-inch passenger display, ambient lighting with communication lights, and an optional head-up display with augmented reality.
Also new is the off-road design package, which is available on all models. This includes a new front bumper design with a geometry change that increases the front approach angle to 17.4 degrees when the air suspension is in a specific mode. In comparison, other off-road midsize SUVs like the Toyota RAV4 (19.0 degrees) and Porsche's own 911 Dakar (16.1 degrees). Yes, it won't turn the Macan into a Dakar or "Cross Turismo" model, but there's no doubt that it's useful for steep lanes and speed bumps. The height of the adaptive air suspension has been increased by 10 mm, to 195 mm at normal settings.
You can get the off-road kit in two colors: Vesuvius gray or the exterior color of your choice. This will paint your front bumper, side skirts, diffuser and roof rails in the specified colors, while also offering 21-inch off-road design wheels in Vesuvius Gray. If you opt for an off-road kit in the car's exterior colors, the side blades will also be painted the same color to match, while the roof rails can be ordered in black, silver, or Turbonite (Turbo only).
Finally, those who buy the Macan, Macan 4 and Macan 4S but don't need a full off-road design kit can simply opt for an off-road front bumper with Vesuvius gray inlays.
Compared to the Macan 4 already on the market, the new Macan 4S has a range similar to that of the Macan 4 at 619 km (ADR 81/02). But the new Macan 4S is more powerful, with an overboost of up to 380 kW (516 hp), compared to 300 kW for the Macan 4. With launch control, the maximum torque is 820 Nm, the 0-100 km/h acceleration time is 4.1 seconds, and the top speed is 240 km/h. That's more than a second faster than the Macan 4 (5.2 seconds).
Every Porsche Macan in Australia comes standard with the following options:
- Tire adapters
- Privacy glass
- Porsche entrance (comfortable access)
- Adaptive cruise control
- Lane Change Assist
- Surround view with active parking support
- Rear seat side airbags
- Digital broadcasting
- Electric charging cover
- Rear wiper (free option)
Some models are also available:
- Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM)
- Automatically dim the inner and outer mirrors
- Power Steering Enhanced
- 14-way comfort seat with memory package
- LED 矩阵主大灯（4S、Turbo 上的标准配置）
- BOSE 环绕音响系统（4S，Turbo 标配）
- Exterior colors include Dreams series (standard on 4S, Turbo)
- Panoramic sunroof system (4S and Turbo)
- 4-zone advanced climate control (4S & Turbo)
- Porsche Electric Motion Sound (Turbo)
- Sport Chrono 组件 (Turbo)
- 21 英寸 Macan Turbo 车轮，黑色涂漆（Turbo 上的 NCO）
The new Macan has a wide range of options, but our favourites are the adaptive air suspension with leveling and height adjustment, the Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus) and rear-axle steering.