Autoblog

Porsche Macan spied, all lit up and dodging flurries

Jeffrey N. Ross — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 16:58:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Crossover, Porsche

We've seen the upcoming Porsche Macan testing on surface roads and even on the Nürburgring, but here we have our first spy shots showing a disguised prototype doing some winter testing in snowy conditions. Still obscured by plenty of camouflage attempting to mimic its larger Cayenne sibling, we still can't get a clear look at what the Macan's face and rump are going to look like, although it does appear that some details for the front lighting are starting to emerge.

Below the headlights, those are obviously decals trying to look like turn signal lenses, but it appears that there is still some sort of lighting being hidden judging by the small circles cut into the camo. Lower in the fascia, we can also see there are LED running lights not revealed on past prototypes. The entire rear end of this Macan prototype still appears to be tacked-on camo, but the side view appears to be in production form save for the poorly disguised rear quarter windows.

As we've seen in the past, Porsche engineers are still testing the Macan alongside the Audi Q5 with which it shares its platform. There has been no word as to when we could expect to see the Macan in production or concept form, but we'd have to guess that this compact crossover is getting ready to shed its camo very soon.

Porsche Macan spied, all lit up and dodging flurries originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Jan 2013 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Porsche Macan caught barely disguised in motion

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 19:15:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Performance, Videos, Crossover, Porsche, Luxury

Even though Porsche engineers left their Macan crossover sitting in the darkness behind a gas station in Stuttgart, it was spotted and briefly photographed and videoed. It looks like the same worse-for-wear mule's that's been popular with photographers for a few months now, its camo-clad exterior and a bit of its interior no longer secrets.

What we can confirm is the surfeit of rumors about what it will have under the hood. As it uses the skeleton of the Audi Q5, no one will be surprised if it uses a modified version of the Q5's heart, the supercharged, 272-horsepower 3.0-liter V6. Supposition beyond that goes to a hybrid Macan with an electrically-assisted, 2.0-liter four-cylinder, also from the Q5, and then to a possible 370-hp, twin-turbo V6.

Somewhere in all of that, along with bumf that a three-door Macan could factor as a rival to the Range Rover Evoque, is a model matrix that is expected to sell 75,000 units in its first year. You can have a look at the future in the video below.

Continue reading Porsche Macan caught barely disguised in motion

Porsche Macan caught barely disguised in motion originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Nov 2012 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Porsche confirms Sport Turismo styling cues for rest of lineup

Jeffrey N. Ross — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 09:28:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Porsche, Design/Style

Whether or not it's ever going to be built, the Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo Concept sounds like it will be playing a pivotal role in upcoming Porsche products. Following the car's debut at the Paris Motor Show, Motor Trend sat down with Porsche AG President and CEO, Matthias Müller, to discuss where we might see elements from this stylish concept car in the future.

For those who liked the styling of the Panamera Sport Turismo Concept (and who wouldn't?) Müller said that the car's headlights and taillights will become part of the new design language on all future models. The taillights already pull from the 991 Porsche 911 and the headlights are very Boxster-like, but starting with the new Porsche Macan compact SUV, these two styling cues will be blended together to help create a new signature look for the brand. Up until now, Porsche has been trying to mimic the 911's styling on bigger cars, and while this idea seemed to work on the Cayenne, the Panamera's design has made it a controversial car to say the least.

One of the concept's key features was its plug-in hybrid drivetrain, and Müller confirmed that this system will make it into production next year on the Panamera (including in the U.S.) and then the following year for the Cayenne. He also stated that premium and "huge" cars are not quite ready for full battery-electric drive systems, so Porsche will continue to focus on plug-in hybrids over the next five to 10 years to balance fuel economy and performance.

Be sure to check out the full M/T interview with Müller and Detlev von Platen, President and CEO of Porsche Cars North America, for more juicy info on future Porsche models, including some talk on the 918 hybrid supercar.

Porsche confirms Sport Turismo styling cues for rest of lineup originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Oct 2012 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Porsche ups forecast, predicts 75,000 Macan sales in first year

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 18:31:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Crossover, Porsche, Luxury

At the same time that Volkswagen is lowering its sales forecast for the year due to Europe's weak economy, Porsche is predicting huge business next year for its Macan.

The Audi Q5-based crossover will give Porsche entry into the same money-pool where compact luxury CUVs like the Range Rover Evoque and the Macan's donor Audi continue to frolic. Earlier, Porsche predicted 45,000 sales for the Macan when it goes on sale next year, but a report in Automotive News Europe says the sales number has been raised all the way up to 75,000.

To up the prediction for its newest model by 66 percent is a sign of massive confidence by Porsche. It's also a gamble on an overall upward trend for markets outside of Europe. Should Porsche actually hit the 75,000 unit mark, the company's global sales would benefit from a percentage gain that would seem remarkable, to say the least. Porsche sold 118,865 vehicles in 2011. Assuming the automaker could increase sales of its other product lines lines by ten percent (not an insignificant jump) both this year and next, adding 75,000 Macans to the mix would indicate a 52-percent boost to the line at the bottom that everyone loves.

If the Porsche purist in you chokes on the idea of a sea of little Porsche crossovers, just remember that each Macan sold helps pay for the return of a 928.

Porsche ups forecast, predicts 75,000 Macan sales in first year originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Sep 2012 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Porsche Macan snapped testing, first glimpse of interior seen

Jeff Sabatini — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Performance, Crossover, Porsche, Luxury

What's this? More spy shots of the same Macan test mule we saw a few months ago? Yes. But this time, we've also got a few glimpses into the interior.This Macan is also wearing different wheels, has roof rails, and sports quad exhaust pipes.

We're still waiting for some concrete information about Porsche's Audi Q5-based crossover, which goes into production next year, especially regarding powertrain. The obvious assumption is that the Porsche will be powered by a tweaked version of the Q5's supercharged 3.0-liter V6. New for 2013, it makes 272 horses, though we've also heard rumors of an S version with a more potent powerplant like the one in the Audi S4 that is rated at 329 horsepower. Then there's the mother of all rumors: The Macan might be had with a 370-hp, twin-turbo V6.

Perhaps Stuttgart will end the speculation and drop some official news on us at this year's Paris Motor Show?

Porsche Macan snapped testing, first glimpse of interior seen originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Aug 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EU to probe Porsche taxpayer grant to build new Macan

Jeff Sabatini — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 09:29:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Europe, Government/Legal, Plants/Manufacturing, Crossover, Porsche, Luxury

Porsche won't put its second crossover into production for another year, but the Macan is already causing some controversy. Not the Porsche-has-sold-its-soul controversy that accompanied the launch of its big brother Cayenne, but the why-is-the-German-government-subsidizing-it kind.

According to Reuters, the European Commission has launched an investigation into the German government's €43 million grant (over $53 million U.S.) for Porsche's Leipzig, Germany, plant expansion, on the grounds that such assistance may be anti-competitive. The recent move by Volkswagen to consolidate its ownership of Porsche likely played into the decision, according to the report.

Porsche's Leipzig plant, where the company currently builds the Cayenne and Panamera, is undergoing a €500 million expansion ($629 million) in advance of the Macan. The facility just produced its 500,000th vehicle this month.

EU to probe Porsche taxpayer grant to build new Macan originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Jul 2012 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Porsche Macan CUV takes shape

Zach Bowman — Wed, 09 May 2012 11:28:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Performance, Crossover, Porsche, Luxury

Our spy photographers have given us our first clear glimpse at the upcoming Porsche Macan. While the test machine we see here wears some Cayenne camouflage, there's little hiding the small CUV's roof line.

Based on the Audi Q5, the Macan will boast plenty of suspension tweaks by the minds at Porsche to put the crossover more in line with the sports car maker's stable. Likewise, while the Macan will borrow a host of gasoline and diesel powerplants from the Volkswagen parts bin, each one will be tuned for more horsepower than we've seen so far.

There's also some indication that Porsche may lift the hybrid system from the Q5 into the Macan's bones, as well. That means buyers would see a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder coupled to a 44-horsepower electric motor.

Porsche may also look to offer a more athletic three-door version of the Macan later down the line to more effectively compete with the likes of the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque.

Porsche Macan CUV takes shape originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 May 2012 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Porsche Macan to get 370-horsepower turbo model?

Zach Bowman — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 09:27:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Europe, Crossover, Porsche, Rumormill, Luxury

Rumor has it Porsche may produce a performance version of the upcoming Macan. Autocar reports the German manufacturer is working on a Macan Turbo that may be good for as much as 370 horsepower thanks to an all-new twin-turbo V6 engine. The article suggests the 3.0-liter mill will borrow heavily from the 3.6-liter unit found in the base Panamera and Cayenne. That would mean the cylinders will be arranged in a 90-dergree V configuration. Torque output would likely be in the neighborhood of 400 pound-feet.

Autocar also hints that the vehicle will be available with either a seven-speed PDK gearbox or a new seven-speed manual transmission converted from the piece found in the 911. We certainly like the idea of a row-your-own crossover, but we're not entirely sure how that will work given that the Macan rides on the Volkswagen large front-wheel drive platform. Even with a Torsen differential shuttling power to the rear wheels, that's a significantly different configuration than the company's rear-engine sports car.

Of course, all of these whispers come without so much as a hint of a source attached to them, so it remains to be seen exactly how much is true. Look for the Macan to touch down in October.

Porsche Macan to get 370-horsepower turbo model? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Apr 2012 09:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Porsche gives Macan name to new small sport utility [w/video]

Zach Bowman — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 09:05:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, SUV, Crossover, Porsche, Luxury

Don't call it the Cajun anymore. Porsche has officially announced the company's upcoming small sport utility vehicle will be called the Macan. As with the vehicle's larger brother, the Cayenne, the Porsche Macan will blend the seemingly incongruous worlds of tall-riding off roaders and low-slung sports cars with performance to match.

The Macan is the latest effort in Porsche's plan to expand its portfolio by 2018. While true purists may once again cry foul at the notion of another non-sports car with the Porsche shield on the hood, something tells us this Porsche will meet with far less skepticism this time around. The Cayenne and the Panamera have proven Porsche can successfully expand into segments beyond sports coupes without sacrificing its core principles. The Macan is likely to toe that line as well.

From what we've seen, the Macan will arrive on the same chassis as the Audi Q5, though with suspension, brake and engine tweaks suitable to the Porsche range. Rumors have also hinted toward both hybrid and three-door iterations as well.

The automotive world has been mistakenly calling the upcoming baby Porsche the Cajun for more than a year after Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn mentioned the name in an interview. Click past the jump for the full press release on the Macan name, as well as a quick introductory video.

Continue reading Porsche gives Macan name to new small sport utility [w/video]

Porsche gives Macan name to new small sport utility [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Feb 2012 09:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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