1 JULY 2019 OutlOOk 45
However, in true Porsche
fashion, if there’s a lasting
impression that the Macan
leaves you with, it’s that
of agility.
With its sharp steering,
tightly controlled ride –
especially with the optional
air suspension – and friendly
manners make driving the
Macan a rather fun and
enjoyable experience.
Having driven all of its
direct competitors, I can
(and will) go as far as to
say that there’s no other
SUV that comes close to
the Macan in terms of
driving appeal. With its
communicative chassis,
fantastic steering, superb
engine and responsive
seven-speed dual clutch
transmission, the Macan
most certainly remains
the driver’s car of choice in
its segment.The challenge
Now, let’s get to the problem.
The primary reason for the
lukewarm response that
the Macan received in the
Indian market originally
was its pricing. It was priced
above certain models of the
Cayenne, and that simply
made no sense to the Indian
consumer. However, Porsche
India is actively working to
change that perception with
the new Macan, which is due
to be launched in India in the
middle of this year.
According to Porsche India
officials, pricing for the baseMacan will be around the `70 lakh mark
(ex-showroom) to enable it to compete with
its direct rivals.
Sure, that would still be a good premium
over its typical competition – the likes of
the Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLC – but
the new Macan has a lot going for it. With
its endless customisable options, including
bright sporty colours, the Macan can easily
be converted into your personal style
statement – something you can’t do with
most of its rivals.
And let’s not forget the Porsche badge,
which, along with superb build quality
and fantastic driving appeal, does give the
Macan a distinct edge over its rivals. The
real question, then, is – are you looking to
make a statement and own the best driver’s
SUV in its segment? If yes, then the Macan is
the perfect choice for you. Just remember,
it’s still going to cost you a bit more than the
competition.X-faCtor
The Macan is the
perfect everyday
performance car
for our conditions,
as it offers both
practicality and sports
car performance in a
cutting-edge package.pros
l Fantastic to drive,
especially the Macan S
l Tremendous finish
& qualityCoNs
l Firm ride
l Will still be the
priciest in its segmentPorsche Macan S
Engine
2,995cc / V6 / Turbocharged
Fuel
Petrol
Transmission
7-Speed Dual-Clutch Automatic / Active
All-Wheel Drive
Power
349bhp @ 5,400-6,400rpm
Torque
480Nm @ 1,360-4,800rpmPorsche Macan
Engine
1,984cc / Four-Cylinders / Turbocharged
Fuel
Petrol
Transmission
7-Speed Dual-Clutch Automatic / Active
All-Wheel Drive
Power
241bhp @ 5,000-6,750rpm
Torque
370Nm @ 1,600-4,500rpm