Porsche Macan T

Porsche AG


Porsche is redefining the alphabet: the letter T has come before the S since the blissful air-cooled days of the 911. Starting now, a new version will be added to the brand’s model range: the Macan T. 

The all-electric Macan will be coming next year and test vehicles are already doing intensive and impressive test laps in the Arctic Circle. For a transitional period, Porsche wants to offer the newcomer alongside the recently refreshed combustion engine model.

However, the end of this is already on the horizon: electricity should take over completely by 2024. Consequently, with the well-known Macan, Porsche is now joining the traditional ranks of launching special model versions of its series shortly before it is discontinued.



Porsche Macan T

Porsche AG

 

This is the first four-door Porsche to bear the special abbreviation that was previously reserved for the 911 and 718 models. The letter T has stood for a special form of sportiness at Porsche since the 1960s. It stands for "Touring" and marks models that offer a particularly puristic driving experience with targeted tuning, exclusive equipment, and lighter engines.

True to the spirit of the Porsche 911 T from 1968, the new Macan T has a particularly dynamic setup and a light two-liter turbo engine, combined with a sporty appearance and sporty standard equipment, as Porsche puts it. The T is classified between the Macan and the Macan S.

The Macan is not just any Porsche, but since its debut in 2014, it has probably been the most successful series from the German company. At times, every third Porsche built was a Macan and the customers don't seem to mind that the Macan is largely based on the somewhat more modest Audi Q5.

 

The Design

Porsche Macan T

Porsche AG


Visually, the Macan T sets itself apart from other Macan models with elements painted in agate gray metallic on the front, sides, and rear of the vehicle. The exclusive contrasting color can be found on the painted front panel, exterior mirrors, side blades, roof spoiler, and rear lettering. Sports tailpipes and side window trims, each painted in glossy black, are also standard.

The "Macan T" lettering can be read in black on the side blades. The T comes from the factory on 20-inch Macan S wheels – designed exclusively in dark titanium. You can choose from 13 solid, metallic, and special colors for the exterior paintwork.

 

The Interior

Porsche Macan T

Porsche AG

 

The interior of the Macan T also offers a unique ambiance. The standard heated sports seats with electric eight-way adjustment have exclusive covers based on the black leather package. The seat centers on the front seats and the outer rear seats feature the Sport-Tex Stripe pattern.

There is an embossed Porsche crest on the front headrests. Decorative stitching in silver on the seats, headrests, and steering wheel continues the contrasting color scheme of the exterior in the interior.

The standard scope also includes the multifunction GT sports steering wheel including steering wheel heating and the Sport Chrono stopwatch in the upper part of the dashboard. The door sill finishers come in black aluminum ex-works and bear Macan T lettering. Options include the multifunction GT sports steering wheel in Race-Tex with a carbon cover and an ionizer.

The Macan T also benefits from all the innovations of the SUV model generation that was revised in the summer of 2021. These include the new center console with a high-quality glass look and a touch-sensitive surface, as well as fully networked Porsche Communication Management (PCM) with a 10.9-inch touchscreen and online navigation as standard.

 

The Power

Porsche Macan T

Porsche AG

 

Under the hood of the Macan T is the two-liter turbo in-line four-cylinder. Compared to the 2.9-liter V6 bi-turbo engine in the Macan S and GTS, the engine in the Macan T weighs 130 lbs less on the front axle. The output is 195 kW (265 hp), and the maximum torque is 400 Newton meters.

As is generally the case with the Macan, the engine is linked to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (PDK) and to the Porsche Traction Management (PTM) all-wheel-drive system. With the standard Sport Chrono Package including a mode switch and Sport Response button on the steering wheel, the Macan T accelerates to 60 mph in 6.2 seconds and reaches a top speed of 144 mph.

Exclusively for the Macan T, Porsche combines the steel chassis with Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) as standard with a lowering of the body by half an inch. Added to this are stiffer stabilizers on the front axle and optimized tuning. According to the makers, this enables particularly direct steering behavior and agile handling.

The Porsche Traction Management (PTM) has also been adapted to the active driving requirements of the Macan T and designed to be particularly rear-heavy. Adaptive air suspension with PASM and a further .3 inches lowering is available as an option – a first for Macan models with four cylinders.

The Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus), which is also available as an option, has also been adapted to the dynamic characteristics of the T and further sharpens the driving dynamics.

 

Conclusion

Porsche Macan T

Porsche AG

 

Those who decide in favor of the Macan T certainly do not make this dependent on objective criteria. Especially not from the drive, because the price jump to the V6 model with more power and prestige is too small. You buy it because you want to feel the touch of something special in your own car.

Now the Macan only has to prove that this “T” recipe works just as well for it as it does for Porsche's sports cars. However, if it can prove it, this car will be a classic at some point in the future because it will not continue to be produced. For that reason alone, you should care for it excessively if you ever own one.

For protection, we always recommend Coverking products because they are simply the best in the business and they always know what your car needs. For every production vehicle, you can find custom equipment approved by manufacturers in their catalog. 


Resources

 

Tankut Basar

Tankut Basar is an ARA (American Rally Assoc.) Racing Driver and an FIA Bronze Category License Holder. His passion for driving began with karting like most racers. He started racing internationally at the age of 22. Tankut loves everything car-related and will keep enjoying the drive until the end. 

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