I’ve Got The Power
With performance and personality, the new Porsche Macan GTS has sporty good looks. Paul Agnew takes it for a test drive and discovers this supercar is also a magnet for attention. Photography: Roger Moore
When your product range is already super strong – the best of the best – it must be hard to know where to go in terms of upping the offer.
Crucial then that you can rely on top designers to plot a forward path.
Porsche has best of both worlds – a spectacular range of high-end cars and a design team with a flair for producing tweaks and twists capable of exciting even the most demanding of customers.
Such is the case with the new Macan GTS, a distinctly sporty motor with power, performance, personality and head-turning looks.
All the reasons why Porsche retains such global appeal remain, but there are a number of enhancements to make this supercar even more of a temptress.
First some facts.
The 2.9-litre V6 bi-turbo engine delivers close on 400 bhp to positively zoom from 0-60 in 4.7 seconds (three tenths faster than the predecessor model).
With improved CO2 emissions, it can clock a top speed of 162mph (0-100 in a ridiculous 12 seconds) and still manage to squeeze out 25 miles from every gallon of fuel.
You will find other subtle yet significant improvements on a vehicle already rated ‘the best sports SUV class’ by the hard-to-please experts at WhatCar magazine.
As I alluded to at the start, getting better was never going to be an easy ask, but the design team has used the devil-in-the-detail concept to deliver big style.
The Macan GTS has a specially tuned suspension management system and its chassis has been lowered by 15 millimetres for greater lateral dynamics.
Combined with the standard 20-inch RS Spyder Design wheels, in satin gloss black and generously sized cast iron brakes, it offers the agility and responsiveness of a true sports car.
Acoustically, an adapted sports exhaust system accentuates the driving pleasure.
Ease forward and it purrs, foot down and it roars.
But it isn’t just the performance that excites, the Macan GTS is good on the eye too with an ultra-sporty appearance. A standard Sport Design package, with new front and rear trim and striking side skirts, gives a characteristic appearance and you will also find many distinguishing black painted elements, including the tailpipes of the exhaust system.
Inside, expect sports seats exclusive to the GTS, high-quality materials such as Alcantara on the centre panels, the centre console armrests and door panels and a touch of brushed aluminium.
The multifunction sports steering wheel comes in smooth leather and the sports seats, again exclusive to the GTS, offer eight-way adjustment and pronounced side bolsters for stable support during dynamic cornering. Not to overlook GTS leather upholstery in Carmine Red or Crayon, a BOSE surround sound system and new smartphone tray with inductive charging function.
The list of personalisation options is endless – adaptive cruise control including traffic jam assist, park assist including rear view camera and surround view, a heated windscreen and ioniser – Porsche never ever leave anything to chance.
Whatever you want, you get, and much that you don’t expect too.
The fine people at Porsche Preston lined me up with a Macan GTS in Miami Blue – a colour of optimum vibrancy bound to be big on first impressions.
I took it for a spin (careful on the accelerator as this was a lunchtime trip around the docks) to become immediately aware of the attention from fellow motorists.
The Macan GTS is a magnet for attention.
There will always be debates about the merits of motor car engineering across the many different makes and model but, as a driving machine of intensity, the Macan GTS has no rival.
It eats up the miles, holds the road irrespective of speed or conditions, feels and looks the business and offers excitement and pleasure to anyone lucky enough to sit in the driving seat.
* Incidentally (in case you didn’t know), the abbreviation GTS stands for Gran Turismo Sport, due in no small part to outstanding driving dynamics. If ever a car merited such a description then this, my friends, is the new Macan GTS.
Porsche Centre Preston
Watery Lane PR2 1QJ
01772 911911
porschepreston.co.uk
