Porsche Macan S & Turbo details revealed

Official details have leaked of the forthcoming Porsche Macan, which will be unveiled at November’s LA Motor Show before going on sale in May 2014.

The price and outline specifications were presented at a recent dealer conference, where details were also revealed of the Porsche 911 Targa and a GTS version of the Boxster and Cayman S.

The Macan will be launched as two variants – the Macan S powered by a 3.0-litre Bi-Turbo petrol engine and Macan Turbo with a 3.6-litre Bi-Turbo engine.

It’s not clear if these are based on the 2,995 cc turbocharged engine used in the Cayenne S Hybrid and the 3,598 cc engine powering the entry-level Cayenne, if so, then it would be reasonable to expect around 328bhp for the Macan S and between 375bhp and 400bhp in the Macan Turbo.

According to the specification sheet we’ve seen, the Macan comes as standard with a 7-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission driving all four wheels, 19-inch alloys and air suspension — making it the only car in the mid-size SUV sector to be fitted with such a sophisticated suspension system.

The Macan will also come with Bi-Xenon headlights, an electric tailgate, TFT driver information screen, CDR+ audio and an optional panoramic sunroof.

The Macan Turbo sports four squared-off exhaust tips, mimicking the Cayenne Turbo, while the S version features rounded tips similar to the Cayenne GTS.

The German car maker which recently announced an 18 percent rise in sales, has been gearing up for production of the new Macan by extending the facilities at its Leipzig plant. Porsche have added a further 1,000 workers and invested around €500m ($676m) in construction of a new body assembly line and a paint shop – making it the biggest new investment in the company’s history.

Pricing of the Macan in the U.S. has been confirmed at $52,000 for the S and $75,000 for the Turbo version, which compares favourably with $51,900 which Audi charges for its 313bhp SQ5.

On that basis we’d expect the Macan S to cost around £45,000 here in the UK, with the Turbo version nearer to £65,000.

The 911 Targa, also shown at the event, will debut at January’s Detroit Motor Show featuring an electrically-powered retractable roof panel, while the GTS versions of the Boxster and Cayman due next April will receive a 15bhp power hike over the Boxster S and Cayman S, delivering 326bhp and 335bhp respectively. Both will come with a unique bodykit, GTS badging and 20-inch wheels.