2015 Porsche Macan Preview

Exterior Features

Porsche says the 2015 Macan reflects design inspiration from the 918 Spyder plug-in hybrid sports car. Standard equipment for the Macan S includes 19-inch aluminum wheels, bi-xenon headlights, LED running lights, LED taillights, and a power rear liftgate. Choose the Macan Turbo and the SUV is set apart with unique wheel designs, a Porsche Dynamic Lighting System with cornering lights, and "Turbo" script on the back.

Interior Features

The 2015 Porsche Macan is not a large vehicle. Though equipped with seating for five people, four are likely to be happier. The cargo area measures 17.7 cu. ft. with the rear seats in use, and 53 cu. ft. with the 40/20/40 split-folding rear seat folded down.

Standard equipment includes a color touch-screen radio with a 7-inch display screen and Aha smartphone pairing technology that provides Internet radio access, social media feeds, and a reversing camera. The driver sits on an 8-way power seat facing a multi-function steering wheel, and the ignition is placed to the left, a Porsche tradition.

Optional Features

Upgrade to the Macan Turbo and the SUV is equipped with 18-way adaptive sport seats and brushed aluminum cabin trim. Options for both trim levels include a variety of colors, materials, trims, wheel designs, and seating selections, as well as navigation, keyless entry and start, panoramic sunroof, a choice between two surround-sound audio systems, parking assist, and numerous mechanical and safety features.

Under the Hood

Porsche installs a twin-turbocharged, 3.0-liter V-6 engine in the Macan S, one that makes 340 horsepower and, according to Porsche, can accelerate the SUV to 60 mph in as little as 5 seconds when optioned with the Sport Chrono package. Top speed is 156 mph, Porsche says.

The Macan Turbo is equipped with a brand-new Porsche engine. It's a twin-turbocharged, 3.6-liter V-6 motor making 400 horsepower, and it accelerates the Macan to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds with the Sport Chrono package and on to a top speed of 164 mph, according to the automaker.

Both engines employ a 7-speed dual-clutch automated manual gearbox with paddle shifters and a Sport driving mode. Automatic start/stop shuts both engines down when the Macan is idling in traffic or at an intersection, and a coasting function decouples the engine from the drivetrain to help maximize fuel economy when descending grades or approaching stops. Active grille shutters and underbody panels also aim to improve aerodynamics to eke every last mile from each drop of gas.

Porsche Traction Management (PTM) all-wheel drive is also standard for the 2015 Macan, and includes an Off-Road driving mode. Under normal conditions, the Macan is a rear-drive vehicle. When necessary, PTM can transfer up to 100% of the power to the front wheels. The driver-selected Off-Road mode works at speeds below 50 mph to optimize traction, and when the Macan's optional air suspension is specified, raises ground clearance from 7.8 inches to 9 inches. Porsche Hill Control technology limits descent speeds to a driver-determined velocity between 2 mph and 18 mph.

The Macan can also be optioned with a Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus system that varies the power split between the SUV's rear wheels in order to improve cornering capabilities on dirt or pavement.

Safety

As standard equipment, Porsche fits a new braking system to the Macan, one designed to halt the vehicle as rapidly as possible following a collision in order to avoid secondary impacts with other vehicles. Porsche says that as long as the Macan's wheels can still rotate, the driver can still move the SUV out of traffic and to the side of the road following a crash.

Additionally, the new 2015 Macan will offer Lane Keep Assist and Lane Change Assist safety system, along with Porsche Active Safe (PAS). The PAS technology works in conjunction with the Macan's optional adaptive cruise control system to avoid low-speed collisions.

Technology

In addition to several options that provide semi-autonomous safety features, the 2015 Macan can be fitted with high-end Burmeister audio components including 16 loudspeakers and more than 1,000 watts of power.