If the Cayenne was the vehicle that arguably saved Porsche from an uncertain financial future, the Macan is the SUV that has outdone even its in-demand big brother, rocketing the Zuffenhausen marque to profitability levels that would make any beancounter gloat with satisfaction. The Macan notched up 97,000 sales last year, more than a third of the brand’s tally of 246,000 global sales in 2017.
And this was for the pre-runout Macan, as Porsche has just revealed an updated 2019 model that will carry the current generation through to the end of its lifecycle. You don’t need a microscope to pick up on the visual changes, although Porsche hasn’t gone overboard with the revamp either. Ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right?
The most prominent exterior styling tweak is the three-dimensional LED strip that connects the taillights. Also on the menu are headlights featuring LED technology. The three-dimensional lamps can be further optioned with the Porsche Dynamic Light System Plus (PDLS) that not only swivel the beam towards the inside of a bend, they also feature speed-sensitive headlight range control and an adverse weather function whereby the low beam’s spread becomes wider at speeds of up to 60kph in foggy conditions.
Inside, there’s an 11.0in touchscreen (up from the current model’s seven inches) with the new Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system. There are also re-designed and re-positioned air vents and the GT sports steering wheel familiar from the current 911. The PCM enables access to new digital functions, such as intelligent voice control and the stress-busting ‘traffic jam assist’ (with partially automated braking and acceleration).
There are no dramatic mechanical changes, although Porsche has carried out subtle tuning of the Macan’s chassis to deliver, in their words, “enhanced neutrality while maintaining stability and improving comfort”. The MY19 Macan also comes with new rims in sizes up to 21 inches.
A look at Nissan’s racy SR engines
With Nissan announcing a new Sentra SR Turbo in the US, we take a look at five SR models from the past
September 24, 20162018 Nissan Maxima SR Midnight Edition: Sporting pretensions...
This is a stylish and comfortable full-size saloon, blessed with 300 horses and an aggressive new look. Nissan calls it a four-door sportscar, but do we?
February 05, 2018Porsche Exclusive Panamera
New saloon gets a higher class look inside and out
July 28, 2016Bumblebee’s new look for Transformers 5
Overdone 2016 Camaro, not a Beetle, to feature in sequel
June 06, 2016Porsche Panamera: a Panameric view
Porsche sees its range expand with new entry-level Panamera offering two-wheel drive and 330 horsepower
November 19, 2016Want free parking, registration and Salik in Dubai? Buy an EV!
Dubai announces a range of incentives for buyers of electric vehicles to spur its Green Mobility initiative
September 25, 2017Tesla Model 3 enters production
Electric carmaker’s first low-cost model will have a 346km range and will be priced at Dh128,555
July 13, 2017Porsche 911 GT2 RS donut attempt goes badly wrong!
The most powerful road-going 911 ever made flops at Goodwood
July 03, 2017Lamborghini produces 8,000th Huracán in just three years
Chassis number 8,000 rolls off the assembly line and is heading to the UK
June 04, 2017World’s largest Bugatti showroom opens in Dubai
The 240-square-metre dealership befits the UAE’s status as the brand’s most successful market
May 11, 2017