324kW Porsche Macan Turbo arrives in October

PORSCHE Cars Australia has announced a $142,000 (plus on-road costs) starting price for the revised Turbo flagship of its facelifted Macan range, with local deliveries of the performance SUV commencing in October.

The new Macan Turbo’s 2.9-litre biturbo petrol V6 churns out 324kW between 5700 and 6600rpm – 30kW more than its predecessor and matching tweaked-up Special Performance versions of the pre-facelift Turbo that deployed a much larger 3.6-litre twin-turbo unit.

Peak torque of 550Nm matches the old Turbo – although 50Nm down on the outgoing Special Performance – and is developed between 1800 and 5600rpm, helping the Macan achieve a 0-100km/h time of 4.5 seconds or 4.3s with the optional Sport Chrono.

This is a tenth quicker than the torquier Special Performance that came with Sport Chrono as standard, going some way to justifying the $8900 hike in the Macan Turbo’s asking price that takes it close to the $143,500 Porsche used to charge for the Special Performance.

Despite the 20 per cent drop in engine displacement, combined fuel consumption of the revised Macan Turbo has increased from 9.2 litres per 100km to 10.0L/100km. Owners are unlikely to care less about this any more than the upgraded model’s marginal increase in top speed from 266km/h to 270km/h.

Of more day-to-day relevance is the standard use of a tungsten carbide brake rotor coating that Porsche claims provides quicker response and reduced wear along with up to 90 per cent less brake dust than from conventional iron discs.

Porsche says it has exclusive use of this so-called Porsche Surface Coated Brake technology, which is signified by white callipers and distinctive high-gloss disc surfaces. Also, it can now be optioned on all Macan variants and an upgrade to ceramic composite brakes is offered on the Turbo.

Australian-delivered Macan Turbos will also come standard with height-adjustable air suspension that has been upgraded with “optimised rolling pistons and new shock absorber hydraulics” and includes Porsche Active Suspension Management. It all sits behind the 21-inch alloy wheels that mimic the design of those fitted to the 911 Turbo.

For Aussie buyers, Porsche also throws in wireless Apple CarPlay smartphone integration, DAB+ digital radio reception, surround-view cameras, keyless entry and start, heated front seats, self-dimming rearview mirrors, rear side airbags and privacy glass.

Other standard kit includes 18-way electric adjustment with memory for the adaptive sports front seats, a 665-watt Bose premium surround sound system with 14 speakers, Alcantara roof lining and brushed aluminium interior trim.

A smaller heated ‘GT’ steering wheel borrowed from the 911 is optional, along with adaptive cruise control, a heated windscreen and an interior air ioniser.

In addition to carrying through styling updates applied to the Macan’s mid-life facelift that launched Down Under in February, the Turbo states its performance intent with a chunkier and more aggressive look that includes bigger front air intakes and greater use of body-colour inserts on the bumpers and doors.

Two pairs of fatter silver tailpipes of the standard sports exhaust emerge either side of the more prominent rear diffuser, while the tailgate is topped by a Turbo-exclusive double-layered roof spoiler.

Macan sales were down 10.9 per cent to the end of July at 1245 units, but every month since and including April has shown a strong uptick as the facelifted models flow out of showrooms.

Sales of the pre-facelift Macan peaked at 2478 units in 2017 and it remains by far Porsche’s most popular product in Australia, accounting for almost half of all the brand’s local volume this year.