porsche macan turbo 0730
Alexandra Lawrence29 Aug 2019
NEWS

More power and pace for 2020 Porsche Macan Turbo

But new twin-turbo Porsche V6 makes mid-size SUV flagship thirstier and pricier

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.

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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.

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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).

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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).

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