Porsche has revealed the updated Porsche Macan in China. The new facelift will see a revised styling and be fitted with new technology.
On the outside, the new facelift includes a redesigned front bumper, new LED projector headlights and a full-width LED strip between the tail-lights. A new range of 20-inch and 21-inch alloys will also be on offer.
Inside, the dashboard has been redesigned and now features Porsche's Communication Management system seen in other new Porsche models. This system features a larger 11.0-inch screen, as compared to the current 7.0-inch screen. The central air vents have been repositioned, and now sit below said display. Further changes in the interior include the availability of an optional GT sports steering wheel fitted with what Porsche calls a 'Sport Response button'.
The automaker also claims enhanced connectivity for the Macan via a standard Connect Plus module. This supports real-time swarm-based traffic data sourced from 'Here' – the mapping company partly owned by fellow VW Group brand, Audi. Porsche has also extended its standard driver assistance set-up to include a new Traffic Jam Assist function. This uses adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist to enable partially autonomous driving capability at speeds up to 37mph.
Porsche has yet to confirm the Macan's revised engine line-up due to delays in the WLTP testing process. However, the entry-level Macan is expected to be fitted with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol powertrain which will receive a moderate increase in power – from 251hp to around 260hp.
Further up, the range is set to see more significant changes. The existing turbocharged 3.6-litre V6 used in the Macan S, Macan GTS and Macan Turbo will be replaced by two different V6 engines developed in an engineering partnership between Porsche and Audi – similar to the engine variants seen in the Cayenne. The Macan S is likely to receive a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 with the same 340hp power figure seen in today’s 3.6-litre turbocharged V6. According to well-placed sources the same unit is set to feature in the Macan GTS, albeit with a 20hp hike over the current 380hp mill, pushing it to 400hp.
The top-of-the-line Macan Turbo plans to adopt a 2.9-litre turbocharged V6. Insiders suggest the new unit will develop around 20hp more than the 420hp engine seen in the current Macan. Meanwhile, The upcoming Macan Turbo S likely to produce around 460hp.
Recent comments from Porsche boss Oliver Blume seem to indicate that diesel engines could be dropped from the Macan line-up, entirely, despite enjoying strong sales in many markets. Even if Porsche decides to continue with a diesel Macan, Audi's ongoing legal wrangle with Porsche is expected to delay any introduction of a successor to the Macan S Diesel.
The Macan is not expected to offer a hybrid drivetrain owing to restrictions in the basic engineering of its platform (shared with the previous-gen Audi Q5) which prohibits housing a sufficiently sized battery.
The Macan's gearbox seems to be unchanged. All engines will be mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox with steering wheel-mounted shift paddles, as well as a multi-plate-clutch four-wheel-drive system.
The German carmaker says that the Macan’s driving dynamics have been improved even further in the upcoming facelift. This suggests that fine-tuning the chassis has brought “enhanced neutrality while maintaining stability and improving comfort”.
The Macan SUV is one of the fastest-selling Porsche models in the company's history, but faces stiff competition in the premium SUV class from the Audi Q5, BMW X4, Jaguar F-Pace and Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupé.
The pre-facelift Macan in India retails from Rs 80.38 lakh to Rs 1.52 crore (ex-showroom, India) and comes in two variants –the 252hp, Macan petrol and the range-topping 440hp, Macan Turbo.
Also see:
2019 Porsche Macan facelift image gallery