Porsche Macan

The Porsche Macan is a compact luxury crossover SUV (D-segment) produced by German manufacturer Porsche since 2014. It is the smallest SUV from Porsche below the Cayenne. The first-generation Macan went on production from February 2014 with petrol and diesel engine options. In 2024, Porsche released the second-generation Macan which is a battery electric vehicle built on the dedicated Premium Platform Electric (PPE) EV plattform. The first-generation and second-generation electric Macan will be sold side-by-side, providing multiple powertrain options for consumers.

Since 2015, its first full year in the market, the Macan has been the best-selling Porsche model globally ahead of the larger Cayenne.

First generation (2014)
Initially announced in November 2010 as a development project, and formally announced by Porsche in March 2011, the 'Macan' model name was decided in 2012 and is derived from the Indonesian word for tiger. It was known by its code name, a portmanteau of Cayenne Junior or comes from a name of a member of ethnic group descended from Acadia living in the U.S. state of Louisiana (not to be confused with Porsche-Diesel Junior tractor).

The production version of the Macan was unveiled at the 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show and 2013 Tokyo Motor Show. European models went on sales in spring 2014 and the initial line-up of models included the Macan S and Macan Turbo. U.S. market models arrived at dealerships in late spring 2014 as 2015 model year vehicle. Early models included Macan S and Macan Turbo.

The Porsche Macan shares its platform and wheelbase with the first generation Audi Q5 (2008–2017). The suspension configuration is based on, and heavily modified from the Audi, but the engine, transfer case, suspension tuning, interior and exterior body are unique to the Macan. It is also 1.7 in longer and 1.4 in wider than a Q5.

The Macan is produced alongside the Panamera with which it shares a strong resemblance, in Leipzig, Germany in a newly extended factory. The Macan is also intended to be 'sportier' than the Cayenne; for instance the Macan has a standard 7-speed dual-clutch PDK gearbox, which is more responsive, while the Cayenne has an 8-speed Tiptronic transmission for smoother shifts.

In July 2018, Porsche announced that more than 350,000 units of the Macan have been delivered worldwide since 2014, with over 100,000 deliveries in the Chinese market alone.

Drivetrain and performance
At launch, three different models and engines were available, all being V6 format: a 3.0-litre Macan S with 340 PS, a 3.6-litre Macan Turbo with 400 PS and a 3.0-litre, 258 PS Diesel, with a emissions of 159 g/km. The Macan GTS was announced in October 2015 to fit into the gap between the Macan S and Macan Turbo.

All Macans feature a seven-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission and all-wheel drive, with several options available including air suspension and Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM).

Porsche subsequently released a base Macan for select Asian markets and the United Kingdom. Using a reworked version of the Volkswagen Group's 2.0-litre inline-four EA888 Gen 3 engine used in multiple applications such as the Audi Q5, the Macan was the first Porsche to be powered by a four-cylinder since the Porsche 968, just preceding the four-cylinder Porsche 718 (Boxster and Cayman). This engine became offered globally for the Macan's 2017 model year following an announcement in March 2016. A 204 PS, 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel was due to join the range at a later date. But this engine variant was never actually offered in any market worldwide.

The Macan S and Macan Turbo have 0 - 60 mph times of 5.2 seconds and 4.6 seconds respectively. Both times are improved by 0.2 sec when employing Launch Control (feature of the optional "Sport Chrono" package).

2016 update
Changes to the Macan for 2016 include Porsche Communication Management system, optional full-LED headlights, redesigned steering controller, extended exterior and interior packages for Macan Turbo.

Macan GTS
The Macan GTS was unveiled at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show. The vehicles went on sale at Porsche dealers in early 2016, while orders began in Germany in 2015.

Four-cylinder model
Unveiled at the 2016 New York International Auto Show, the base Macan joined the range with an inline-four turbocharged 2.0-litre engine, matte black window surrounds, brake calipers in black, unique dual exhaust pipes in stainless steel, front fascia and lava black side blades from the Macan S, seat centres in Alcantara, the newest generation of Porsche Communication Management (PCM), Piano Black interior package, park assist and a lane departure warning system. The engine is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo, closely related to the engine found in the Golf GTI ‘Performance Pack’ and sending 233bhp and 258lb ft of torque to the wheels through Porsche's seven-speed ‘PDK’ gearbox. The four-cylinder model went on sale in the United States and globally as a 2017 model year vehicle, with deliveries beginning in July 2016.

2019 update
The 2019 model year Macan was first unveiled in July 2018 in Shanghai as petrol four-cylinder base model and received its European debut at the 2018 Paris Motor Show. It went into production in August 2018. Changes to the previous model include an overhauled chassis, a gasoline particulate filter fitted as standard, a new front and rear fascia with LED head- and tail-lights as standard, new exterior colours and wheel designs, and a redesigned interior with Porsche Communication Management with 10.9-inch touchscreen display and Connect Plus with Porsche Offroad Precision App as standard. Optionally available systems include active suspension management, air suspension, torque vectoring, Sport Chrono package including Launch Control as well as park and traffic assistance systems.

Specifications

 * Available data for European model

2021 update

 * Available data for European model

Second generation (2024)
On January 25, 2024, Porsche revealed the second-generation Macan which will be available only with a battery electric powertrain. Production began in May 2024 at the Leipzig plant alongside the older ICE version of the Macan. Porsche sells the new electric model alongside the original Macan which it updated in 2021. It uses the same Premium Platform Electric (PPE) platform shared with the upcoming Audi Q6 e-tron.

The Macan features three screens: a curved 12.6-inch instrument cluster, a 10.9-inch infotainment system, and an optional 10.9-inch screen for the front passenger. It also utilizes a voice assistant and other driver aid technology.

Awards and recognition

 * South African Car of the Year 2015
 * Carsales Best Luxury SUV 2015
 * Car and Driver Magazine 10Best for 2021