Porsche Macan T 2022: new sporty SUV joins ranks of brand’s best-selling vehicle

John Law

Contributor

Porsche has treated the four-cylinder Macan to a sporty ‘T’ treatment that adds Sport Chrono package and bespoke suspension, among other changes

The 2022 Porsche Macan range is getting a sporty new T new variant with a 195kW four-cylinder turbo engine that is set to slot between the $84,800 base-model Macan and the $105,800 six-cylinder Macan S.

This new grade is yet to be priced for Australia, though with the additions expect the Macan T to start from around $90,000-100,000 when it joins the four-strong Australian range in the middle of 2022.

Porsche Macan T 2022 badge — The sporty Macan T will join Porsche’s lineup in the middle of 2022

Porsche says the T in the name stands for ‘touring’ – not to be confused with the 911 GT3 Touring – and is a badge that first graced the 1968 911 sports car.

Since then it has become part of the 991-generation 911 and current 718 Boxster and Cayman lineup. According to Porsche, the T recipe is about adding everything a driver needs, and none of what they don’t.

For example, the Macan T retains its 195kW turbo petrol four-cylinder as it lowers the weight over the Macan’s front axle by 58.8kg compared to the 2.9-litre V6-equipped S and GTS.

Porsche Macan T 2022 mirror — Agate grey exterior highlights help set the Macan T apart from the rest

The Macan T can be identified externally by its ‘Agate grey’ painted mirrors, front trim, badging and rear spoiler while the sporty SUV rides on 20-inch alloy wheels finished in ‘Dark Titanium’.

A midsize SUV that competes with the Audi SQ5 and BMW X3 M40i, the Macan is Porsche’s best-seller. In 2021, 2328 were sold in Australia, compared to 2158 in 2020.

How fast is the Macan T?

The Macan T uses the same 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol four-cylinder as the base Macan with 195kW of power and 400Nm of torque. A seven-speed dual-clutch transmission is the only option and every Macan features all-wheel-drive.

Porsche Macan T 2022 rear 3/4 — It uses the same engine as the base car but the Macan T sits 15mm lower

This motor is shared widely within the VW/Audi group featuring in sporty hatches with varying states of tune including the Audi S3 where it produces 228kW and the Volkswagen Golf R with 235kW.

Porsche didn’t add more grunt to the Macan T’s 1984cc four-pot so its 0-100km/h sprint is only two tenths faster than the base Macan at 6.2 seconds, mainly thanks to the standard Sport Chrono package which is normally a $1880 option.

The Macan T also gets chassis tweaks including adaptive dampers, 15mm lower steel springs and stiffer anti-roll bars. Further dynamic options buyers can select at additional cost include adaptive air suspension and electrically-operated rear limited-slip differential.

Is the Macan T well-equipped?

In the cabin the Macan T also has a distinct look with black leather-appointed eight-way adjustable sports seats that have silver contrast stitching and Porsche crests embossed into the headrests.

Porsche Macan T 2022 cabin — The Macan T’s headrests have Porsche crests embossed into them

The leather-appointed steering wheel with drive mode switch and dash-mounted analogue clock are part of the Sport Chrono package, but buyers will be able to option an alcantara-clad wheel for an even sportier feel.

Aside from the T’s specific changes, standard features such as the 10.9-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, navigation with live-traffic updates, 10-speaker stereo and a handsome analogue gauge cluster.

The options fitted to the Macan T equate to around $16,000 on the Porsche Australia car configurator, though it’s likely that being bundled together in a standard variant will lead to a saving, keeping the new T grade between $90,000-100,000 when it arrives.