Entering the compact luxury SUV market is Porsche with the Macan Turbo. Built by Porsche to be a Porsche, this sports car (as it must be called) is an impressive champ on the road and an even more impressive sight to look at. With a 3.6-litre twin turbo V6 engine, this 400-horsepower vessel boasts 0-60 mph in just 4.6 seconds and entertains top speeds above 160 — setting a new performance standard in its class.
Improving the aerodynamics of this vehicle is the available air suspension with Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), which sets the car 15 mm lower than the steel spring suspension. The self-leveling function keeps the car “height consistent” at all performance levels. There are three levels of ground clearance: Terrain Level, Normal Level and Low Level, which differentiates from 40 mm above to 10 mm below normal height. Shifting gears is a cinch and all about maintaining performance with the 7-speed PDK transmission. When a gear is engaged, the system is prepped with the next gear and ready at a fraction of a second to kick in, ensuring contiguous shifting and reliability and guaranteeing a sporty drive.
The interior design is all Porsche and seemingly designed in threes: a three-spoke sports steering wheel patterned after the 918 Spider, with paddle shifters; and a three-tube-design instrument panel inspired by classic sports cars, with the rev counter in the center, a 4.8-inch color screen to the right displaying information from the onboard computer, and other gauges to the left. A high-resolution color touchscreen enables all the luxury options, including navigation, audio and Bluetooth communications. Interior palettes range from classic luxury to very sporty with carbon or brushed aluminum. The surround sound system is designed by Burmester®, an available upgrade to enhance the cabin experience.
The exterior is inspired by decades of Porsche model-influence, including the acclaimed Porsche 917 known best for its victories in the 1970s. A bold stance and powerful compact appearance give the illusion that this vehicle is much larger than it is and makes it appear to have “every muscle flexed — like a predator ready to pounce,” according to Porsche. The side blades give a sporty appeal and can be painted in a Lava “matte” Black. The red calipers on the Turbo enhance the appeal, with the available 21-inch wheels to truly bring together this compact SUV and allow its claim to be a sports car after all.
