You could very well say that after this iteration of the Porsche Macan, it’s ICE, ICE, bye-bye.
Forgive me for the joke but, yes, this latest refresh might be the last internal combustion engine-powered version of the Macan before it goes electric. This was already reported to the world through the recent annual press conference Porsche, streamed online. The Macan, Porsche’s best-seller since 2016, will get an all-electric version in 2023. This EV will share the same platform as the Audi A6 e-tron, and is projected to exceed the range of Porsche’s erstwhile lone pure-electric, the Taycan.
So it was with perhaps some nostalgia too, that Porsche Philippines welcomed the 2022 Macan. This final refresh of what the brand calls the “ultimate sports car among compact SUVs,” takes on an added dimension. In an interview this writer, Porsche Philippines Managing Director William Angsiy confirmed that the new Macan is the last purely ICE-powered iteration before the powertrain gets electrified.
But don’t weep for the ICE-powered SUV. It has already earned its place in the annals of Porsche. To date, more than 600,000 examples have found homes since the nameplate’s debut in 2014. At the aforementioned press conference of Porsche AG, presided over by Executive Board Chairman Oliver Blume and CFO Lutz Meschke, the company reported that the Macan led the company’s charge last year – moving 88,362 units, followed by its larger SUV sibling, the Cayenne (83,071).
This means the Macan alone accounted for almost 30% of total sales.
The new Porsche Macan is, obviously, said to be the best of its kind – perhaps a fitting sendoff before the vehicle sheds its taste for fossil fuel. It gets a recast nose, with an inlay in body color meant to visually widen the SUV. The front fascia gets a new set of eyes – LED headlights with the Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS). According to Porsche, the feature “increases safety when driving and enhances near-field, lateral, and far-field illumination by adjusting the range of the dipped beam according to driving speed. Additionally, the dynamic cornering light function rotates the main headlights towards the inside of a road’s curve based on the driver’s speed and steering angle. Static cornering lights turn on the auxiliary headlights for clearer visibility on tight, turning roads.” Porsche Brand Ambassador Bryan Ellamil showed how the trademark four-point lighting has been reworked into four illuminated “dashes,” as in the Taycan.
A textured surface in Lava Black appears on the Macan’s signature sideblades. The hind quarters of the new Macan are highlighted by a black diffuser that more prominently rises up in the rear. A taillight strip with integrated four-point brake lights using LED technology remains an unmistakable design signature. The new Macan receives SportDesign exterior mirrors with V-shaped bases; it rides on 19-inch wheels.
Porsche leverages its 911 legend by using some design cues for the Macan – such as a centrally positioned rev counter on the instrument cluster. An analog clock, another classic Porsche design element, takes its hallowed place at the heart of the dash. The redesigned center console now uses touch controls instead of buttons, and continues to offer many online functions and services as standard. The user can access these functions via the 10.9-inch full HD touch display of the Porsche Communication Management.
The intent for dynamic performance is further emphasized through a short-throw gear selector lever. A multifunction sports steering wheel has convenient gearshift paddles for better control. “New Comfort seats with electric 14-way adjustment for height, squab and backrest angle, and fore/aft position secure the driver and front passenger in place while offering luxurious accommodation,” added Porsche in a release.
Motivation comes from a tweaked 2.0-liter inline-four turbocharged mill spitting out 265hp from 5,000rpm to 6,000rpm, and 400Nm of torque from as low as 1,800rpm up to 4,500rpm. “The engine not only delivers ample power, but is also fuel-efficient — a high-pressure injection system allows for multiple injections of the tiniest amounts of fuel. The engine’s low weight also means reduced load over the front axle, leading to dynamic advantages,” added the statement. Porsche Traction Management (PTM) active all-wheel drive system features an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch. Traction, agility, performance, and safety are ensured in whatever condition power is distributed between the drive axles. Porsche Stability Management adds to the confidence. The performance promises are accessed via a standard seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) transmission, resulting in “extremely fast gear changes to take place without these interrupting traction.”
For additional tweaking options, a Sport Chrono Package with Mode switch provides set-up changes for its chassis, engine and transmission. The newly designed Mode switch with Sport Response button on the steering wheel can be used to choose among Normal, Sport, Sport Plus and Individual. Other nifty toys: the Launch Control function yields maximum acceleration from a standing start, while the Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus) improves driving dynamics and stability, particularly on bends. Also aiding in sharpening up the vehicle’s steering behavior are the variable distribution of engine torque to the rear wheels, and the electronically controlled rear differential lock.
For now, there’s just one trim of the Macan, but Angsiy revealed that two more flavors will arrive by June – if everything falls into place.
