Porsche unveils Macan SUV at 2013 Tokyo Motor Show

Porsche did a twin show unveiling of the highly anticipated Macan SUV by simultaneously taking the wraps off the car at the Tokyo Motor Show and the LA Motor Show.  

The name Macan is derived from the Indonesian word for Tiger and if the handling prowess of the Cayenne is anything to go by, the Macan too will claw itself to the road unlike other SUVs in its class. It is based on the five year old Audi Q5 platform but expect superior performance and handling. All wheel drive is standard on all Macans as is the PDK double-clutch gearbox. At the launch, the Macan will be available with three engine options, two petrols and one diesel. The base petrol Macan S is the 3.0-litre V6 biturbo mill developing 340bhp. It can do the 0-100kph sprint in 5.2 seconds according to Porsche. The top spec petrol Macan Turbo is the 3.6-litre biturbo motor doling out 400 bhp with a 0-100kph time of 4.8 seconds! 

The one most Indians will be interested in though will be the 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel. This model develops a handsome 258bhp and can hit the ton from a standstill in just 6.3 seconds. Porsche has gone as far as calling it the long-distance sportscar.

The Macan will pass off as a scaled down Cayenne at first glance. You really have to look closely to distinguish between the two. Porsche designers say that the Macan features elements from the 911 and other sportscars in its lineup but the truth is that from the front and the sides, it looks like a smaller Cayenne. The interior too is no exception. The rear though is the most interesting part of the Macan with the neat horizontal taillights and sloping roof giving a sporty element to Porsche’s baby SUV. 

The Macan and the Q5 share a similar high strength steel floorpan, bulk heads, body structure and various driveline, chassis and electrical components but the Macan will not be manufactured in Ingolstadt. Instead, it will be produced in Leipzig where the Cayenne and Panamera are manufactured. Porsche plans to manufacture 50,000 Macans every year once production is in full swing.