2018 Paris Motor Show Reveal Gets Updated Powertrains and Styling
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| © Truck Trend Network Staff 2019-porsche-macan-exterior-miami-blue-front-quarter-02.jpg |
By Brett T. Evans, Truck Trend
Porsche trotted out a revised 2019 Macan at the 2018 Paris Motor Show, updating the little SUV with a facelift, new powertrains, and a restyled interior. These revisions apply primarily to the Macan destined for global markets, with nothing new confirmed (yet) for the U.S. Macan.
Most obviously, the Macan’s styling now apes the all-new 2019 Cayenne a bit more closely. That means there’s a full-width taillight panel, which replaces two individual ovoid taillights, and the rear lighting array gets Porsche’s “three-dimensional LED” styling. Newly standard LED headlights rest above an updated front bumper design, with foglamps relocated to near the bottom of the front fascia and air inlets reshaped to impart a wider, more planted appearance. The Macan’s distinctive rocker trim remains.
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| © Truck Trend Network Staff 2019 Porsche Macan Exterior Sapphire Blue Taillight Details |
Inside, the Macan gets a new infotainment package, headlined by a widescreen, full-HD, 10.9-inch display (up from 7.2 inches). This new interface includes a standard WLAN hotspot and Porsche Connect Plus, cloud-based navigation, and smartphone integration—both via direct connection and a smartphone app. The new infotainment system necessitated a slight redesign; dashboard, seat, and console design remain familiar, but the center stack has been reconfigured with revised hard-button controls and horizontal air vents under the screen. The button-heavy center console panel remains, unfortunately.
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| © Truck Trend Network Staff 2019 Porsche Macan Interior Dashboard 03 |
Mechanically, Porsche says the Macan has been enhanced, but the company doesn’t go into great detail. An “overhauled chassis” results in improved ride comfort and more fun behind the wheel, and the company touts the Macan’s staggered-tire setup as indicative of its sports car provenance. Standard 18-inch wheels can give way for optional sizes of up to 21 inches.
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| © Truck Trend Network Staff 2019 Porsche Macan Exterior Sapphire Blue Rear Quarter 01 |
The base 2019 Macan will also get a new version of the outgoing machine’s base 2.0L turbocharged I-4. Revisions to the combustion chamber geometry and the addition of a gasoline particulate filter yield 245 hp and 273 lb-ft—power is down slightly from last year’s 252. As before, the base engine is mated to a seven-speed PDK dual-clutch automated transmission.
The U.K.-based magazine Auto Express claims the Macan S and Macan Turbo will receive new engines as well: a new 3.0L turbocharged V-6 with 351 hp for the former and a 2.9L twin-turbochargd V-6 with 434 hp for the latter. Those numbers, if accurate, would represent improvements of 11 hp for the Macan S and 34 hp for the Macan Turbo. In fact, the Turbo’s new engine would nearly render the outgoing model’s 440hp Performance Package irrelevant. Like the base Macan, the S and Turbo receive Porsche’s seven-speed PDK.
The U.K.-based magazine Auto Express claims the Macan S and Macan Turbo will receive new engines as well: a new 3.0L turbocharged V-6 with 351 hp for the former and a 2.9L twin-turbochargd V-6 with 434 hp for the latter. Those numbers, if accurate, would represent improvements of 11 hp for the Macan S and 34 hp for the Macan Turbo. In fact, the Turbo’s new engine would nearly render the outgoing model’s 440hp Performance Package irrelevant. Like the base Macan, the S and Turbo receive Porsche’s seven-speed PDK.
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| © Truck Trend Network Staff 2019 Porsche Macan Exterior Miami Blue Front Quarter 01 |
There’s no confirmation from Porsche Cars North America if these updates will make their way to U.S.-bound Macan SUVs. But as one of Porsche’s largest global markets, we don’t see why we wouldn’t eventually be privy to the updated small SUV from Porsche. We hope Auto Express’ predictions are true, as those hotted-up engines sound pretty enticing.
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