AUTOMOTIVE

PORSCHE’S 2022 MACAN S More Power, a Revised Interior, and Sleeker Styling.

Porsche’s Macan midsize SUV is more like a four-door sports sedan than a mudslinging utility vehicle, and that is the main reason for its popularity. It’s among the best handling utility vehicles on the market, and that is probably why more than 137,000 have been sold since the introduction in 2014. The Macan illustrates why midsize crossover-utility vehicles, as a class, keep growing in popularity and, in some cases, are pushing sedans out of the market. They ride and drive like a car, have an upright seating position, and deliver cargo versatility. What they cede to bigger SUVs (greater towing capacity and rugged off-road capability) is essentially moot because most buyers rarely do either.

As you can see, upgrading a popular model can be a challenging task: How do you enhance the styling and add mechanical improvements without impinging on what made the vehicle such a good seller?

That skill set fits Porsche perfectly because it is legendary for developing its 911, first introduced as a 1964 model, through numerous iterations while maintaining a profile that is immediately recognizable even today. Model changes come when they’re needed and not before, and that philosophy also applies to the Macan.

There are three models from which to choose: Macan, Macan S, and Macan GTS. Pricing starts at $54,900 for the base Macan, $65,400 for the Macan S and $79,900 for the Macan GTS.

A slightly sportier Macan T will be arriving later.

The model driven here had a base price of $65,400. Options included a non-metallic light-gray paint called Chalk, the interior leather package, heated steering wheel, 21inch wheels, adaptive cruise control, heated and cooled front seats, Bose surround-sound stereo, panoramic sunroof, and LED headlights. The sticker price was $80,290. Fuel economy is rated at 17 mpg in the city and 23 on the highway.

As an owner of the 2015 model, I can attest that the Macan excels in gobbling up miles of highway with ease. It is quiet, powerful, and has enough room for two people, a dog, and all the relevant paraphernalia for a two-week vacation. We have driven our Macan nearly 98,000 miles with a minimum of issues other than brakes, tires, and oil changes.

In that light, consider the 2022 Macan. While the overall profile of this compact SUV hasn’t changed, there have been numerous styling and mechanical enhancements.

The front fascia gets integrated cooling air intakes and body color trim around the grille. Around back, the black diffuser has been stretched upwards and given a 3D textured surface like the one used in the side blades. LED headlights and standard sport design exterior mirrors complete the visual upgrade. There are seven wheel designs with sizes ranging from 19 to 21 inches.

The base Macan has a 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder that delivers 261 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. It accelerated to 60 miles per hour in 5.8 seconds and has a top speed of 144 mph. While this engine has the least horsepower, it delivers its maximum torque as low as 1,800 rpm, so off-the-line throttle response is surprisingly crisp. This powertrain functions perfectly for most city driving.

The S has the 2.9-liter, twin-turbo V-6 from the outgoing GTS, and it produces 375 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. It hits 60 mph in 4.4 seconds and has a top speed of 160 mph. Of course, more power is always appealing and the new engine in the S delivers strong acceleration yet feels plenty docile in everyday driving.

The GTS has 434 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. It hits 60 mph in 4.1 seconds and has a top speed of 169 mph.

All Macans have a 7-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The PDK transmission tends to shift into high gear quickly under light load to help fuel economy. I often chose the Sport transmission setting for crisper shifting around town.

One of the most notable changes is a new center console that uses haptic touch signs instead of buttons, as before. The shorter gear lever no longer can be used to manually shift the transmission. Manual shifts are done with levers on the steering wheel. A 10.9-inch

full-HD touchscreen in the center of the instrument panel offers a large map as well as screens for controlling audio selections. Leather stitching in Chalk, Papaya, and Blue is optional.

The 2022 Macan models come standard with Lane Departure Warning as well as front and rear Park Assist with a rear-view camera. Beyond this, it can be optioned with several driver assistance systems. These include self-steering Park Assist, adaptive cruise control, Lane Keep Assist, and the blind-spot monitoring Lane Change Assist function.

Porsche’s adaptive air suspension with comfort, sport, and sport plus settings is now standard on the Macan S, and the ride quality is much more compliant. Wheel choices range from 19 to 21 inches.

Porsche offers optional 14.2-inch, six-piston brakes with a special PCSB coating that reduces brake dust. The carbon-ceramic

fine-tune the aerodynamics and arrive at a chassis that has a curb weight of just over 3,300 pounds.

The carbon-fiber chassis makes use of underbody aerody- brakes are no longer available. namics that help keep the top of the car sleek and sensu- One of the new Macan’s more endearing traits is handling, al with rounded contours that echo classic design. The nose which is more like a sedan than a crossover vehicle. It feels balcontains a grille that is recognizably Maserati complete with anced in corners because the all-wheel-drive system is biased the Trident emblem. toward the rear wheels. Power is distributed to the front wheels

Upward-opening “butterfly” doors pivot forward to so the when weather and road conditions dictate. driver and passenger can get into the cabin with a minimum The ride is firm with the standard suspension, but the adapof interference. The cabin is understated, and driver focused. tive air suspension, now standard on the Macan S, has comfort, The interior shapes are simple, with few sharp corners and sport, and sport plus settings that deliver a much-improved the upholstery and interior materials are black to prevent re- ride. Body roll in corners is moderate, and the car feels perfectly flections on the steep sloping windscreen. Plus, black lends planted at highway speeds. a feeling of understated elegance. There are two LCD screens An all-electric Macan is in the works as a 2024 model, but in the instrument panel, one in front of the driver for gauges availability and official specifications have not been released. and one in the center above the console. Maserati emphasiz- Porsche expects it to have significantly more range than the es that “everything is laid out just like the cockpit of a racing Taycan’s 227 miles.

car, with functionality and visibility paramount.” The central tunnel is clad with carbon fiber and only carries the switches that are necessary. Maserati and Sabelt collaborated on the design and creation of the MC20 seats. A composite structural shell, equipped with power adjustments and lumbar system, represents the essence of the MC20 project: sportiveness at a high quality and performance level. The MC20’s Sonus faber audio embodies the translation of its name, “handmade sound” that illustrates how both brands desire to pair innovative technologies and skillful craftsmanship.

Committing the MC20 to production is a bold statement from Maserati about how it sees itself, both today and in the future when an all-electric version will be available. That forward vision is necessary for a company that has such a long and storied history.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR / PHOTOGRAPHER ABOUT THE AUTHOR / PHOTOGRAPHER

Tom Strongman has a degree in photojournalism from the University of Missouri and was Tom Strongman has a degree in photojournalism from the University of Missouri and was formerly the director of photography and then the automotive editor of The Kansas City The Kansas City Star. Tom, a member of the Missouri Press Association Photojournalism Hall of Fame, has Star. Tom, a member of the Missouri Press Association Photojournalism Hall of Fame, has written about and photographed cars for more than three decades. written about and photographed cars for more than three decades.

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