While we’ve all witnessed the unveiling of the stunning, new Porsche Macan last month at Porsche Centre Kuwait-Behbehani Motors Company, taking this beauty out for a road trip in K-town is an entirely different experience! Read on to discover our experience with the Macan in this special edition of bazaar goes cruising.
Our trip across Kuwait simply proved how Porsche has comprehensively upgraded the Macan in terms of design, comfort, connectivity and driving dynamics. The Macan therefore remains the sporty role model in its segment, perfect to take you from home to the office, and then on to the open road. We personally knew we had to take this beauty out to the Mutlaa Ridge to test out what it’s all about, and we were very pleasantly surprised.
Taking the car off of the open road and heading up and down the hilly ranges of Mutlaa showcased the Macan’s breadth and ability to handle itself impeccably. There’s also the Off-road Precision app that’s been created by Porsche to give Macan drivers the chance to document, analyze and improve off-road journeys. The “Trip” area functions in the same way as popular running apps for mobile phones. All relevant data is automatically stored when recording is activated: driver, vehicle, route, times, GPS data. Route and elevation profiles are automatically calculated from this, which can then be viewed on a map later on.
At the same time, the journey can be recorded as a video either using a smartphone or an externally controlled action cam. The trips can be shared in social media using the “Sharing” function. In the “Personal progress” app mode, the individual driver performance is rewarded with a bonus system. In a tutorial, the app additionally provides new off-road drivers with detailed basic knowledge on how to drive a Macan off-road. The tutorial also contains an overview of off-road parks. Here, drivers can acquire initial experience in off-road driving in a safe environment. The Off-road Precision app is available for iOS and Android.
Design wise, and in keeping with the Porsche design DNA, the compact SUV features a three-dimensional LED light panel on the rear of the vehicle. LED technology is also standard for the headlights in future. The most eye-catching new features in the interior are the 10.9-inch touchscreen of the new Porsche Communication Management (PCM), the newly arranged and designed air vents and the optional GT sports steering wheel familiar from the 911. The PCM provides access to new digital functions such as intelligent voice control and the standard online navigation. The range of comfort equipment is extended by Traffic Jam Assist, an ionizer and a heated windscreen, among other things.
The Macan comes to the starting line with an enhanced 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine. This unit produces 180 kW (245 hp) and delivers a maximum torque of 370 Nm. The Macan S is powered by a new V6 engine with 3.0-litre displacement and twin-scroll turbocharger in central turbo layout. The engine has a power output of 260 kW (354 hp) and a torque of 480 Nm. The seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (PDK) and the PTM all-wheel drive are perfectly matched to the new engines. Both Macan models are equipped with a gasoline particulate filter and meet the requirements of the emission standard Euro 6d-Temp.
The six-cylinder engine of the Macan S is a high-tech power unit. Used for the first time in the Panamera, the engine has been introduced for the Cayenne and now also for the Macan. The most conspicuous feature is the mono turbocharger located in the inner V in the so-called central turbo layout. The short exhaust gas paths between the combustion chambers and the turbocharger ensure outstanding and immediate responsiveness, which perfectly complements a dynamic driving style.
The driving dynamics of the Macan remains its core feature. The revamped chassis increases driving pleasure by ensuring a more neutral response while at the same time offering unchanged stability and improved comfort. The new Macan again features mixed tires, which is not typical for the vehicle segment. Like with the Porsche sports cars, it is possible to optimally exploit the driving dynamics advantages of the intelligent PTM all-wheel drive. Newly developed tires with improved performance characteristics also permit improved lateral dynamics.
The Sport Chrono Package is now also operated in the Macan by means of the mode switch integrated in the steering wheel. In addition to the Normal, Sport and Sport Plus driving modes, it is also possible to select an Individual mode. The driver can store an individual setup here and can activate it directly with the mode switch.
The Sport Response button in the middle of the mode switch allows the driver to boost the responsiveness of the Macan for 20 seconds at the push of a button so that the maximum performance is immediately available. The sports car among compact SUVs then reacts to accelerator pedal commands much more spontaneously and achieves optimum acceleration values more quickly. The Sport Response function can be activated any number of times.
In combination with the optional Sport Chrono Package, the Porsche Stability Management (PSM) additionally offers the separately selectable mode PSM Sport. With this especially sport setup, ambitious drivers can get even closer to the limit range of the Macan. The PSM always remains active in the background. PSM Sport mode can be activated independently of the currently selected driving mode.
With the new Porsche Communication Management (PCM), the Macan opens up all the possibilities of the digital Porsche world. The full-HD touchscreen has increased in size from 7.2 to 10.9 inches. As in the Panamera and Cayenne, the user interface can be adapted to suit personal requirements with predefined tiles. With full connectivity as standard, the new system offers improved online navigation and Porsche Connect Plus.
The connection to the navigation-related “Here Cloud” plays an important part here. This provides the driver with up-to-date online data at all times for fast route calculation. Other services and functions include web radio with automatic switching between FM/DAB/online sources, the intelligent Voice Pilot voice control system and also remote functions such as security and emergency services.
The Porsche Connect app and Porsche Car Connect app enable the driver to communicate with the Macan via their smartphone. The Off-road Precision app can be used to make the off-road experience in the Macan even more emotionally charged and to document trips.
An expanded range of options with enhanced assistance systems is available for new Macan. The optional GT sports steering wheel creates a link to the Porsche 911. A mode switch integrated into the steering wheel – including Sport Response button – is part of the optional Sport Chrono Package that can be fitted in the Macan. The new Traffic Jam Assist uses adaptive cruise control to allow more relaxed driving at speeds of up to 65 km/h. The new system keeps the Macan in lane by targeted steering interventions.
The new Porsche Macan and Macan S are now available at Porsche Centre Kuwait.
The basic retail prices are as follows: Macan, KWD 16,900 and the Macan S KWD 22,200.
For more information, visit Porsche Centre Kuwait- Behbehani Motors Company, please call 1870 870 or visit www.porschekuwait.com. For the latest updates on social media, follow Porsche Centre Kuwait on Instagram @PorscheCentreKuwait and Facebook: PorscheCentreKuwait. Photography by Yousef Al Nasser @Yousefcam on Instagram.
