Page 70 - Motor Trend (February 2020)

FIRST DRIVE
Our tester also had Porsche’s Torque
Vectoring Plus ($1,500), which varies the
torque distribution at the rear wheels
through a locking electronic differential
and by applying brakes to the inside
rear wheel in a turn. It allows for crisper
rotation through a corner and provides
the sensation of a rear-drive car when you
accelerate out of it.
Speaking of brakes, the 2020 Macan
Turbo also comes standard with the
Porsche Surface Coated Brake system
(PSCB), introduced last year on the 2019
Cayenne. PSCB features cast-iron rotors
coated with tungsten carbide, giving them
a mirrorlike finish. The coating helps to
increase friction and rotor life and reduce
brake dust. Although the Cayenne used
to suffer from an overly aggressive initial
bite, no such issue exists with the Macan
Turbo. Pedal modulation is progressive
and linear, and it remains firm even after
several high-speed stops.
In terms of styling, the Macan Turbo
builds on the refresh of the 2019 Macan
lineup. Out back beneath the full-width
taillights, you’ll find the sport exhaust
system, identifiable by its fat-rimmed
pipes; the lower fascia, side skirts, Macan
“blade,” and mirrors are all body color. Up
front is a Turbo-specific nose with three
large air intake openings massive enough
to give Sully Sullenberger pause.
Inside, the most noticeable change is
a new 10.9-inch infotainment screen.
THE DRAMA IS MISSING, BUT IT’S STILL ONE OF THE BEST-HANDLING SUVS.
70 MOTORTREND.COM FEBRUARY 2020
are decked out in leather, providing snug
support without feeling too constricting.
There’s an upgraded suite of active
safety features, thanks to more powerful
sensors and image processing underneath
the virtual hood. Most notably, a new
traffic jam assist feature adds steering
capability to the adaptive cruise control at
speeds up to 37 mph.
One area in which the Macan Turbo
2020 Porsche Macan Turbo lives up to the Turbo name is its price.
BASE PRICE $84,950 The more powerful engine, standard
VEHICLE LAYOUT Front-engine, AWD, PSCB brakes, sport exhaust, and PASM
5-pass, 4-door SUV all contribute to a $6,400 increase over
ENGINE 2.9L/434-hp/405- a 2018 Macan Turbo, for a base price
lb-ft twin-turbo of $84,950. Our tester had an array of
DOHC 24-valve V-6
options, elevating the cost to $105,370.
TRANSMISSION 7-speed twin-clutch The base price of a Macan Turbo is also
auto
a hefty $24,200 premium over the 2020
CURB WEIGHT 4,250 lb (mfr)
Macan S. Porsche PR quickly notes that a
WHEELBASE 110.5 in loaded Macan S compared to a standard-
LENGTH X WIDTH 185.0 x 76.1 x 64.0 in grade Turbo is but a $4,000 ladder. Is this
X HEIGHT
Porsche’s idea of a value play? Perhaps,
0-60 MPH 4.1-4.3 sec (mfr est)
but a closer look at some of those options
EPA CITY/HWY/COMB 17/23/19 mpg (est)
FUEL ECON reveals it’s mainly visual candy. Skip the
rash of cosmetic upgrades, and a savvy
ENERGY CONSUMPTION, 198/147 kW-hr/100
CITY/HWY miles (est) buyer can spec a well-equipped Macan S
in the mid-$70K range.
CO2 EMISSIONS, COMB 1.01 lb/mile (est)
That ballpark price includes many
ON SALE IN U.S. Currently
of the Turbo’s functional bits, as well
Standard Porsche Connect services as ventilated seats ($670) and keyless
provide real-time mapping and traffic ignition ($800), both of which aren’t
information as well as a Wi-Fi hot spot. standard on the Turbo. If you must have
To make room for the new screen, the an Alcantara headliner ($1,550), that’s the
center dash-mounted vents have been beauty of the Porsche option sheet. What
relocated to just above the center console. you lose in a second from 0 to 60, you gain
Other than that, the circa 2015 interior in creature comforts.
soldiers on. Admittedly, the button- The Macan Turbo is 20 percent quicker
heavy console and analog gauges lack the than the Macan S but carries a 40 percent
sleek digital panache found in the newer price premium. This would be a moot
Cayenne and Panamera, but that’s not point if the Macan Turbo provided a
necessarily a bad thing. Those old-school face-flattening, giggle-inducing visceral
buttons make quick work of adjusting thrill like the rest of the “Turbos” in the
climate and drive mode settings simply Porsche family. That alone would be
by feel. Standard 18-way front sport seats worth the price of admission. Q