Porsche Macan 2022: petrol SUV updated before separate electric version arrives

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From 2023, there will be two separate versions of the car known as the Porsche Macan.

One of those Macans has today been revealed: a comprehensive update of the existing first-generation midsize SUV with a number of design changes and, most significantly, a range of new engines under the bonnet.

The other Macan will be an all-new, all-electric version that will utilise the same Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture as the Porsche Taycan super-sedan (reviewed here).

Porsche are yet to reveal the Macan EV, but detailed specifications for the next petrol-powered Macan have been revealed, with confirmation that the top-shelf Macan Turbo trim will depart the range.

Despite earlier discussion at Porsche that an electric Macan would fully replace the petrol-powered version, a concurrent strategy was later determined – largely thanks to the success of the combustion Macan, which has sold 600,000 copies worldwide since 2014.

The model has been critical to building a larger customer base, with a substantial 80 per cent share of Macan buyers being new to Porsche. The Macan competes with rivals to higher trims of the Audi Q5, Mercedes-Benz GLC and BMW X3.

New engines with more power

A slimmed-down petrol Macan lineup, based on the MLB platform, will be constituted by a four-cylinder base model sitting beneath a pair of quicker versions that share Porsche’s 2.9-litre twin-turbo petrol V6, albeit at different states of tune.

The new range-topper is the Macan GTS, which will now produce 324kW of power while delivering a 0-100km/h sprint time of 4.3 seconds, on the way to a top speed of 272km/h. Power is up by a considerable 44kW over the previous GTS, which used an older three-litre V6.

The new GTS borrows this engine and tune from the Macan Turbo, which will no longer be offered, with the ‘Turbo’ badge expected to be transferred to the all-electric version in 2023.

Also running the 2.9-litre – an engine shared by cars like the Audi RS4 – is the mid-spec Macan S, which produces 280kW of power, up 20kW. Still very swift, the Macan S manages the 0-100km/h run in 4.6 seconds. An optional Sport Chrono package lifts the variant’s top speed to 259km/h.

Entry-level Macans will use a “newly developed” turbo petrol four-cylinder engine producing 195kW of power – a 10kW bump. Porsche have not yet disclosed the displacement of this engine, though the claimed 0-100km/h sprint time has been confirmed at 6.2 seconds, while the top speed is 232k/h.

All engines now utilise a seven-speed wet-clutch PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission, and AWD is standard.

Standard kit for Australia

Porsche have announced some of the standard features that will be fitted to each of the grades in Australia, with cars set to arrive between October and December this year.

Macan (base)

• Turbo four-cylinder engine
• 19-inch wheels
• 75-litre fuel tank
• Passive entry
• Apple CarPlay
• 14-way comfort front seats with memory
• Privacy glass
• Surround view camera
• Piano black interior trim
• Parking sensors
• Rear side airbags
• Lane change assist

Macan S

• 2.9-litre V6
• Metallic paint
• Exterior coloured front apron, side skirts and rear apron
• Bose stereo

Macan GTS

• Sport Chrono package

Updated chassis

The Macan’s chassis is not untouched, with the GTS model picking up a new sport air suspension system for 2022.

Porsche say the damper characteristics of the Porsche Active Suspension Management system (PASM) have been altered with the GTS in mind, with the tuning priority being to send more sensitive and direct feedback through the steering wheel.

The sport air suspension system lowers the GTS by 10mm, giving the range-topping Macan a more dramatic stance than the other models.

Compared to the previous Macan GTS, the new air ride is 10 per cent more rigid on the front axle and 15 per cent firmer at the rear.

Evolutionary exterior design

Visually, the 2022 Macan pursues an evolutionary track, with the forthcoming electric version likely to be more distinct.

Subtle changes have been made to the exterior, including a reshaped nose with an inlay that is exterior colour on the base and Macan S variants, or blacked-out on the GTS, while a 3D texture is applied to various shapes at the front and rear.

A more distinct light signature will be standard across the range thanks to now-included fitment of the LED Porsche Dynamic Light System.

18-inch wheels have been ditched, with the smallest alloys now measuring 19 inches, while the Macan S is fitted with 20s and the GTS with 21s. Seven wheel designs will be available, while 14 standard exterior colours will be offered.

Further customisation through the Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur programme, including Individual colours as well as the more extensive Paint to Sample system.

Inside, the most obvious change is a switch away from physical buttons to a touch panel for the Macan’s function keys astride the new, shorter gear shifter.

The shape of the steering wheel is now sportier, with the Macan adopting the new 911’s multifunction and GT Sport wheel designs.

Infotainment comes by way of a 10.9-inch central touchscreen running the Porsche Communication Management system. It is likely this will be fitted with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

An analogue clock is now standard, while the leather seats can optionally be stitched in Gentian Blue, Papaya or Crayon to give a pop of colour to the interior.

The sporty GTS range-topper can also be fitted with a GTS Sport package that bundles 18-way electrically-adjustable sports seats, carbon fibre trim, Race-Tex fabric seats with leather elements and a variety of contrast stitching.

Australian price and release date

The updated 2022 Porsche Macan lineup will arrive in Australia from the fourth quarter of 2021 – between October and December this year.

Prices have not yet been announced, though they are expected to gently rise against the existing range.

Currently, a base Macan equipped with the two-litre turbo petrol four-cylinder engine costs $84,300. The three-litre Macan S is priced at $100,800, while the Macan GTS is priced at $112,300.

The current top-tier Macan Turbo ($145,200) is the sole offering with the 2.9-litre V6, which now shifts into the GTS.