Porsche launches Macan compact SUV at Rs 98.18 lakh ex-Maharashtra
Porsche India has launched its sporty, premium compact SUV, the Macan (which means ‘tiger’ in Indonesian) starting at Rs 98.18 lakh without options, ex-showroom Maharashtra. The Macan will be available in two trims with two engine options — the base Macan S Diesel and the petrol powered Macan Turbo priced at Rs 1.09 crore.
One look at the Porsche Macan and the lines between a sports car and an SUV blur. Its larger sibling, the Cayenne does give a sporty impression but the Macan’s smaller dimensions accentuate the image. The Macan is based on VW’s ‘MLB’ platform that it shares with the Audi Q5, along with a third of their under-body components. However, being a Porsche, the engineers at Leipzig have endowed the compact SUV with a great ride/handling package, considered to be the best-in-class. The Macan also comes with ‘Porsche Traction Management’, Porsche’s all-wheel drive system which allows the compact SUV to go off-road.
The Macan S Diesel is powered by the same 2967cc V6 motor seen in the base Cayenne that develops 245bhp at 3800rpm and 550Nm of torque at 2750rpm. While the diesel engine is decently frugal, going 14.5km on a single litre of diesel, the compact SUV is a capable performer with the ton mark coming in at 6.1 seconds (due to the Sports Chrono package) and a top speed of 230kmph. The Macan Turbo’s 3.6-litre V6 biturbo petrol engine pumps out 400bhp that catapults it to 100kmph in just 4.6 seconds (again with the Sport Chrono package) and can attain a top whack of 266kmph. Both engines are mated to Porsche’s PDK dual-clutch transmission.
The Macan sports enough equipment to take on its rivals (though at this price, it doesn’t have any) like a multi-function sport steering wheel with shift paddles, a high-performance audio system and an electrically operated tailgate. The Indian models also get an air suspension system, a lighting package, bi-xenon headlamps as well as a three-zone climate control air-conditioning system.
We had originally expected Porsche to launch the Macan with four-pot engines for a developing market like India. However, it seems the German manufacturer has launched the higher-spec versions before the base variants. The price tag for the Macan ventures into its larger sibling’s territory as pricing for the Cayenne starts with the diesel at Rs 76.4 lakh ex-showroom Mumbai and goes up to Rs 2.05 crore for the range-topping Cayenne Turbo S. It may be that Porsche is applying the same strategy that fellow German manufacturer Mercedes-Benz , is utilising on the CLA, with the lower spec variants following the higher-spec ones to the market.
Commenting on this occasion, Anil Reddi, Director of Porsche India, said, “With the introduction of the Macan, Porsche offers a real sports car in the dynamically growing compact SUV segment for the first time. I have no doubt that this model will be a success for the brand, catering to our youthful customers in the country, who believe in the philosophy of ‘Life, intensified’.”
For our take on how the Macan handles, click here.
