Porsche reveals Macan GTS

PORSCHE has completed the facelifted Macan mid-size SUV line-up with the sports-oriented GTS due to arrive in Australian showrooms in the first quarter of next year, priced from $109,700 plus on-road costs.

Unlike the pre-facelift GTS that used a hotted-up version of the 3.0-litre turbo-petrol V6 engine used in the S, the new one uses a detuned version of the flagship Turbo’s 2.9-litre biturbo V6, cranking out 280kW of power from 5200-6700 rpm and 520Nm of torque from 1750-5000 rpm.

These increases of 15kW and 20Nm over the outgoing unit, as well as a broader peak power band, enable the revised GTS to shave three tenths off the 0-100km/h sprint (now 4.7 seconds) when the optional Sport Chrono package is fitted (4.9s without). Top speed is up 5km/h, to 261km/h.

A standard sports exhaust accentuates the note of the 2.9-litre engine with the turbos nestled between the two cylinder banks to minimise the distance exhaust gas has to travel before it hits the turbines, thereby reducing lag.

Carried over is a 15mm reduction in ride height over other Macan variants, which can be dropped another 10mm with the optional air suspension.

As well as the lowered suspension promising “greater lateral dynamics”, the hunkered-down appearance wraps the GTS Macan’s wheelarches around its 20-inch ‘RS Spyder’ alloy wheels more closely, behind which are red brake callipers with 360mm discs up front and 330mm rotors at the rear.

Porsche’s proprietary mirror-finish tungsten carbide-coated discs can also be optioned, with ceramic composite brakes also available.

Inside are GTS-specific leather-trimmed sports seats with eight-way electric adjustment, chunky side bolsters and Alcantara centre panels. The suede-like fabric is also used on the centre console armrests and door trims.

Brushed aluminium highlights and a sports steering wheel with paddle-shifters complete the sporty atmosphere, with contrast stitching, embroidery and seatbelts available in Carmine Red or Crayon colour schemes.

Externally identifying the GTS is the standard Sport Design bodykit which has visual hallmarks – as seen on GTS variants of other Porsche models – such as blacked-out detail work including a satin gloss alloy wheel finish.

The tail-light clusters also have a smoked appearance, while adaptive LED headlights with black bezels can be optioned.

Standard equipment includes Apple CarPlay, DAB+ digital radio reception, driver’s seat position memory, reversing and surround-view cameras, front and rear parking sensors, self-dimming rearview mirrors, rear privacy glass, rear side airbags and a bigger 75-litre fuel tank.

Comfort front seats with 14-way electric adjustment are a no-cost option, while Bose premium audio, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, heated front seats, cabin air ioniser and heated windscreen all cost extra.

Australian Porsche deliveries are up 6.3 per cent to the end of November as the German sportscar brand recovers from model changeovers of its top-selling Cayenne and Macan SUVs that caused last year’s 12.8 per cent sales slide.

Of the 3897 Porsches reported sold, 1883 are for Macan (up 3.9 per cent) and 1248 Cayenne (up 32.3 per cent). Sales of the Boxster, Cayman and Panamera are all down double digits, with the 911 flatlining as third most-popular model on 488 units.

2020 Porsche Macan pricing*

*Excludes on-road costs