It is no secret that the next-generation Porsche Macan will have a fully-electric EV version to be offered alongside its gas combustion counterpart.
And this will only last for a couple of years before the rest of the Macan range will be electrified.
That means this current generation of Porsche Macan might just be the last of its kind to consume fossil fuel.
Cars Bikes & Trucks recently got an invite to sample Porsche’s potent small sports utility vehicle (SUV), in the form of Macan S.
It is the refreshed Macan since the introduction of the range back in 2014.
With the base 2019 Porsche Macan starting at RM455,000, the Macan S is priced from RM625,000 and comes standard with RM27,000 Premium Package.
What’s new?
Visual-wise, the changes are in the elements and require keen eyes to notice.
There are new lighting units, now featuring new LED headlight clusters, new three-dimensional tail lights with a horizontal bar connecting the two, and redesigned front and rear bumpers.
Inside, updates include the Porsche Communication Management (PCM) infotainment system that utilises a larger 10.9-inch touchscreen, redesigned air-conditioning vents, Power Steering Plus Park Assist and a Bose sound system.
The Macan S unit you see here is packed with optional kits to not only make it go faster, but also make it better and more comfortable to drive.
It boasted an air suspension with ride-height adjustment and self-levelling function, Sport Chrono Package, Porsche Dynamic Light System Plus, 21-inch 911 Turbo wheels, interior leather package and sports front seats, to name a few.
You can also tailor your Macan (and every other Porsche for that matter) to further suit your preference.
For instance, this Macan gets seatbelts in Garnet Red, air ioniser, Porsche crest on headrests, painted key fob and custom stitching. All these contributed to over RM100,000 of price increment.
The drive
More than a decade ago, if you told me that you could take a Porsche SUV to carve the twisty backroads enthusiastically, I would have replied, “Are you out of your mind? Why not just take a 911 or a Cayman?”
And yes, while the 2009 Cayenne is pretty capable, it felt more suited for cruising on the Autobahn than to throw around the curves of the Stelvio Pass.
The same response no longer works for this day and age. It is amazing how premium sports SUVs have become.
What’s even more amazing is how Porsche always manages to keep coming out with more things to improve on their cars.
Under the hood of the Macan S is a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 engine, packing 354hp and 480Nm of twisting power.
This engine is mated to superb seven-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic.
The engine and transmission, aided with the Sport Chrono Package, are able to send the Macan to 100kph from stationary in a little over 5 seconds.
Behind the wheel, the car feels nimble yet stable, be it at low or high speed.
This is, of course, helped by the optional Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus), a kit you would want to spec to any Porsche.
PTV works with the mechanical rear differential, where a tiny German brain gives more torque to the outside of the rear wheels and/or applies moderate brake pressure to the inside rear wheels, whichever necessary.
The result? Pin-point accuracy and stability braking into a turn or acceleration out of it.
While tackling the corners toward Colmar Tropicale in Bukit Tinggi, there were some moments where I felt a car with Macan’s girth and weight would not be able to make it, but the PTV came in play to tuck the car back in my desired line and prevent me from washing out of the corners.
At highway speeds, the PTV effect is more evident especially in long corners with some undulations.
I can feel the brake pressures applied intermittently mid-corners.
Most of the time, the Macan S is best driven in Sport mode, as the Sport Plus can feel a tad too firm and tuned only for a very smooth road surfaces.
The engine, although turbocharged, was eager to rev towards the higher end of its spectrum, delivering a kind of satisfaction to manually operate the PDK gearbox.
Speaking of gearbox, I personally think that this unit is the ideal one for the Macan since the new Cayenne now gets the eight-speed torque converter type transmission.
The Macan S gear ratios are well-spread to enable the car to be a rapid driver or a relaxed cruiser.
And after some “exercises” for the Macan S and I, this writer can just dial the drive mode selector knob counter-clockwise into Normal mode and the car will just sail along the highway like a normal luxury SUV.
Everyday practicality with Porsche DNA
The Macan, just like the Cayenne, blends everyday practicality, as well as on- and off-road capabilities with Porsche’s motorsports DNA.
It offer a great deal of cabin space for both front and rear passengers, while the front seats have a good balance between being comfy and body-hugging.
The Porsche Communication Management system, despite a generic name, is simply crisp, has a high quality display and distinctly user-friendly.
I am also glad that the air-conditioning vents are still physical and manual, unlike the Panamera’s, which is controlled by sliding your fingers on a touchscreen menu. Cool? Yes. Practical? Not so much.
If I have to pick one drawback from the Porsche Macan S, it would be the lack of autonomous safety features such as the autonomous emergency braking or lane-keeping assist.
I mean, even cars half this price had some.
Nonetheless, it truly is a highly capable vehicle when things get a little more intense.
Strong engine, brilliant chassis, powerful brakes, massive grippy tyres — it’s got the hardware.
And I am confidently-assured that the Porsche Macan S is not just able to keep up with the hot hatches during Sunday drives, but also deliver the same amount of fun.
It simply blurs the line between SUV and sports cars.