Rather, Porsche has. The new 2015 Macan is a brilliant move on Porsche's behalf. I mean, for Piech's sakes, the Macan has barely arrived on dealer lots and it's taken the compact luxury CUV segment by storm, selling out (with 8-9 month waits in some cases).
Perhaps 50,000 units built annually will not suffice to meet demands. Think about it for a second: I'm willing to bet that more than 90% of buyers placed orders on spec. Porsche has indeed done it again because when these purchasers finally get to drive their Macan, they'll be blown away.
What was codenamed Cajun (for CAyenne JUNior) is actually far better than the initially rejected Porsche pepper. The Macan is fantastically sorted -- in drive, handling, power, finesse, and I could go on for weeks on end.
What is a Porsche Macan?
The 2015 Macan is Porsche demonstrating that it can do anything it pleases, albeit in a very measured manner. Porsche is aiming "down" in the market but that, by no stretch of the imagination, does not mean that the Macan is any less of a Porsche.
The Macan will quickly become Stuttgart's beloved bread-and-butter vehicle, taking over from the Cayenne, as it infiltrates the hotly contested segment of the compact luxury CUV.
The Macan shares a limited amount of components with the Audi Q5, and by comparison the Porsche is a self-described sportscar-UV. This vehicle will put the hurt on many.
2015 Porsche Macan Price and Specs
Why will the 2015 Porsche Macan make such a huge splash? Simple: It's a Porsche utility vehicle and it has a starting price of $54,300. That's right, a fully functional 5-door, 5-seat with a decent trunk Porsche product. Imagine the possibilities... The autobahn-burning Macan Turbo starts at $82,200.
My Macan S tester was laden with a few accessories namely the panoramic roof, 19" wheels, and infotainment and premium packages. Grand total? $64,450 -- roughly $3,000 more than a slightly better equipped, less powerful BMW X3 xDrive35i.
The 2015 Porsche Macan S is powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.0L V6 that produces 340 horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque. The Turbo makes use of a twin-turbocharged 3.6L V6 that mass-produces 400 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque. Both Macans channel their power through a unique-to-the-segment 7-speed PDK transmission and only with AWD.
The Macan S will hit the ton in 5.4 seconds while the Turbo reaches 100km/hr in 4.8 seconds.
Porsche's AWD, coupled to Porsche Traction Management (PTM), can send 100% available power to the rear wheels, a feat that Audi's super Quattro AWD cannot achieve.
Driving the 2015 Porsche Macan
Porsche pulled a serious tour de force with their new Macan. Regardless of the road conditions, it takes it all in stride, as solid and durable as the Great Wall of China. Through its intuitive and earnestly precise electric steering (same setup as the Q5, with a quicker ratio) the Macan is just as happily thrown onto any ramp (the sharper, the better) with only a hint of understeer.
The Macan is like a noble bottle of bourbon. Although you'd like to drink it all in one sitting, it's best nursed and appreciated. Each gulp is as satisfying as the previous, and in the end it makes you feel real good. Prodding the throttle is but one sip. Activating the "Sport" button is like downing a double.
Acceleration and power delivery are smooth, as max torque is on tap from 1,450-5,000 rpm only to then be swapped in momentum by max hp, which drops in from 5,500-6,500 rpm. Linear and uninterrupted, the Macan shoots forward calmly and with gusto.
The next swallow is equal to the previous, but this one is all about the PDK. Porsche's drive-loving crew opted for what is bar-none the most excellent dual-clutch transmission out there.
The Macan's sports-car nature is enhanced by this box that sashays from gear to gear quicker than the bat of an eyelash. Upon your test drive, be mindful of how quickly the revs drop -- soak in what is mechanical perfection.
The inevitable question: Does the Macan drive better than the Cayenne? The Audi Q5? Yes, on both counts. The Macan is considerably lighter than both (300 lbs on the SQ5) and thus more agile, more lithe and alive. It redefines what is possible in this segment.
Inside and Out of the 2015 Porsche Macan
On this front, the Macan is all Porsche albeit with some very distinct features. Its rear-hinged aluminum clamshell hood is beautiful and monstrous at the same time. Below the bonnet, the Macan sports a gnarly and proportionally larger grille than the Cayenne. In "S" trim, the Macan is subdued whereas the Turbo is faintly angrier.
Both are impressively handsome from most angles. A sharply angled rear hatch makes for a larger-looking ass, and the rear door severely cuts into the cargo area (the Macan's boot is about 40% lower on volume than the Audi Q5) -- but I'd be more than happy to spank it on a daily basis.
Porsche cars and SUVs now all feature near-identical dashboard designs and cabins. Therefore, all genuinely important controls are located on the ramp that flows from the centre stack to the armrest. Ergonomics are good, but the real kickers are the seats, which are firm and comfortable at the same time.
The driving position is ideal and considerably lower than one would expect in a CUV. Oh, and the steering wheel: It's straight out of the 918 Spyder and is an absolute turn-on. The rear bench is somewhat snug, but will accommodate two adults easily.
Fit and finish are typical Porsche fare. The only negative mention I can make originates from the less than attractive door/flap that conceals the CD player.
Comparing the 2015 Porsche Macan
I'm more or less all over the compact luxury CUV segment after driving the all-new Lincoln MKC and Lexus NX. I'm very familiar with the Acura RDX, Cadillac SRX, Audi Q5, Infiniti QX70, and BMW X3. All are worthy in their own respect.
The 2015 Porsche Macan may not be able to match the luggage capacity of most of these models nor is it as quiet, but where on-road driving is concerned none can touch it.
Perhaps 50,000 units built annually will not suffice to meet demands. Think about it for a second: I'm willing to bet that more than 90% of buyers placed orders on spec. Porsche has indeed done it again because when these purchasers finally get to drive their Macan, they'll be blown away.
What was codenamed Cajun (for CAyenne JUNior) is actually far better than the initially rejected Porsche pepper. The Macan is fantastically sorted -- in drive, handling, power, finesse, and I could go on for weeks on end.
What is a Porsche Macan?
The 2015 Macan is Porsche demonstrating that it can do anything it pleases, albeit in a very measured manner. Porsche is aiming "down" in the market but that, by no stretch of the imagination, does not mean that the Macan is any less of a Porsche.
The Macan will quickly become Stuttgart's beloved bread-and-butter vehicle, taking over from the Cayenne, as it infiltrates the hotly contested segment of the compact luxury CUV.
The Macan shares a limited amount of components with the Audi Q5, and by comparison the Porsche is a self-described sportscar-UV. This vehicle will put the hurt on many.
2015 Porsche Macan Price and Specs
Why will the 2015 Porsche Macan make such a huge splash? Simple: It's a Porsche utility vehicle and it has a starting price of $54,300. That's right, a fully functional 5-door, 5-seat with a decent trunk Porsche product. Imagine the possibilities... The autobahn-burning Macan Turbo starts at $82,200.
My Macan S tester was laden with a few accessories namely the panoramic roof, 19" wheels, and infotainment and premium packages. Grand total? $64,450 -- roughly $3,000 more than a slightly better equipped, less powerful BMW X3 xDrive35i.
The 2015 Porsche Macan S is powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.0L V6 that produces 340 horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque. The Turbo makes use of a twin-turbocharged 3.6L V6 that mass-produces 400 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque. Both Macans channel their power through a unique-to-the-segment 7-speed PDK transmission and only with AWD.
The Macan S will hit the ton in 5.4 seconds while the Turbo reaches 100km/hr in 4.8 seconds.
Porsche's AWD, coupled to Porsche Traction Management (PTM), can send 100% available power to the rear wheels, a feat that Audi's super Quattro AWD cannot achieve.
Driving the 2015 Porsche Macan
Porsche pulled a serious tour de force with their new Macan. Regardless of the road conditions, it takes it all in stride, as solid and durable as the Great Wall of China. Through its intuitive and earnestly precise electric steering (same setup as the Q5, with a quicker ratio) the Macan is just as happily thrown onto any ramp (the sharper, the better) with only a hint of understeer.
The Macan is like a noble bottle of bourbon. Although you'd like to drink it all in one sitting, it's best nursed and appreciated. Each gulp is as satisfying as the previous, and in the end it makes you feel real good. Prodding the throttle is but one sip. Activating the "Sport" button is like downing a double.
Acceleration and power delivery are smooth, as max torque is on tap from 1,450-5,000 rpm only to then be swapped in momentum by max hp, which drops in from 5,500-6,500 rpm. Linear and uninterrupted, the Macan shoots forward calmly and with gusto.
The next swallow is equal to the previous, but this one is all about the PDK. Porsche's drive-loving crew opted for what is bar-none the most excellent dual-clutch transmission out there.
The Macan's sports-car nature is enhanced by this box that sashays from gear to gear quicker than the bat of an eyelash. Upon your test drive, be mindful of how quickly the revs drop -- soak in what is mechanical perfection.
The inevitable question: Does the Macan drive better than the Cayenne? The Audi Q5? Yes, on both counts. The Macan is considerably lighter than both (300 lbs on the SQ5) and thus more agile, more lithe and alive. It redefines what is possible in this segment.
Inside and Out of the 2015 Porsche Macan
On this front, the Macan is all Porsche albeit with some very distinct features. Its rear-hinged aluminum clamshell hood is beautiful and monstrous at the same time. Below the bonnet, the Macan sports a gnarly and proportionally larger grille than the Cayenne. In "S" trim, the Macan is subdued whereas the Turbo is faintly angrier.
Both are impressively handsome from most angles. A sharply angled rear hatch makes for a larger-looking ass, and the rear door severely cuts into the cargo area (the Macan's boot is about 40% lower on volume than the Audi Q5) -- but I'd be more than happy to spank it on a daily basis.
Porsche cars and SUVs now all feature near-identical dashboard designs and cabins. Therefore, all genuinely important controls are located on the ramp that flows from the centre stack to the armrest. Ergonomics are good, but the real kickers are the seats, which are firm and comfortable at the same time.
The driving position is ideal and considerably lower than one would expect in a CUV. Oh, and the steering wheel: It's straight out of the 918 Spyder and is an absolute turn-on. The rear bench is somewhat snug, but will accommodate two adults easily.
Fit and finish are typical Porsche fare. The only negative mention I can make originates from the less than attractive door/flap that conceals the CD player.
Comparing the 2015 Porsche Macan
I'm more or less all over the compact luxury CUV segment after driving the all-new Lincoln MKC and Lexus NX. I'm very familiar with the Acura RDX, Cadillac SRX, Audi Q5, Infiniti QX70, and BMW X3. All are worthy in their own respect.
The 2015 Porsche Macan may not be able to match the luggage capacity of most of these models nor is it as quiet, but where on-road driving is concerned none can touch it.
Road Tests and Reviews
Experts
Consumers
2015 Porsche Macan
Review Highlights
Article Gallery