The upgraded Porsche Macan Turbo will be quicker and more powerful – but also more expensive – when it arrives in Australia in October.
Revealed overnight, the 2020 Porsche Macan Turbo follows the release of the mainstream 2020 Macan and Macan S here in February.
While the Macan diesel has been dropped and a facelifted Macan GTS is yet to appear, the range-topping Macan Turbo now produces 324kW of power and 550Nm of torque (over 1800-5600rpm) from a new 2.9-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 shared with Porsche’s Cayenne and Panamera models.
Despite a 20 per cent drop in displacement, that’s 30kW or 10 per cent more power than the outgoing Porsche Macan Turbo’s 294kW 3.6-litre turbo V6, which nevertheless delivered the same torque.
However, fuel consumption is up for the new engine, which remains matched to a seven-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, from 9.2 to 10.0L/100km.
Porsche says the result is a 4km/h increase in top speed, to 274km/h, and a 0.3-second improvement in 0-100km/h acceleration, to 4.3 seconds (when optioned with the Sport Chrono Package).
Naturally that still makes the Macan Turbo slower to 100km/h than Porsche’s flagship performance SUV, the bigger and pricier Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid (3.8sec), not to mention the Lamborghini Urus (3.7sec) and the benchmark-setting Tesla Model X P100D with Ludicrous mode (3.1sec).
But it also means the Porsche Macan Turbo still lags behind direct rivals like the Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S and Alfa Romeo Stelvio Q (both 3.8sec), as well as BMW’s new X3 M and X4 M (4.1sec).
However, it does better the 4.4sec 0-100km/h time of the outgoing Macan Turbo when optioned with the $13,200 Performance Package, which upped the 3.6-litre V6’s outputs to the same 324kW and a wholesome 600Nm.
Apart from an updated Turbo-specific bodykit comprising a beefier front bumper and double-wing rear spoiler, upgrades for MY20 include high-performance Porsche Surface Coated Brakes (PSCB) as standard.
Also now optional on lesser Macan variants, Porsche says the high-gloss brake discs with tungsten carbide coating (and white callipers) offer faster response, less wear and a 90 per cent reduction in brake dust compared to conventional cast-iron brake rotors.
The Porsche Turbo Macan is further differentiated via Porsche Design side skirts and wing mirrors, plus a sports exhaust with twin silver outlets.
Also standard on the range-topping Macan for Australia is height-adjustable air suspension with Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) and new dampers, 21-inch 911 Turbo Design alloy wheels and LED headlights with Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS).
Options will include Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus) and Porsche ceramic composite brakes (PCCB).
Inside the cabin a brushed aluminium interior package is standard, as are adaptive 18-way power-adjustable sports seats with leather trim and a 10.9-inch HD touch-screen display with navigation and real-time traffic info and premium 14-speaker/665-Watt Bose Surround Sound system.
Other standard features for Australia include Porsche Entry & Drive keyless locking/starting, Surround View, Porsche Connect Plus, WiFi hotspot, wireless Apple CarPlay, Alcantara headlining, privacy glass, auto-dimming mirrors, heated front seats, comfort lighting package and digital radio.
A heated GT sports steering wheel from the 911 can be now be optioned, along with adaptive cruise control, a heated windscreen and air ioniser.
Sadly, pricing has also increased for the 2020 Porsche Macan Turbo, to $142,000 (plus on-road costs) -- $8900 more than the model it replaces ($133,100).