Porsche Macan S review: A fast ride for slow food
Porsche's Macan S has 354hp worth of turbocharged bite to tuck into
Singapore
SINGAPORE'S increasingly crowded roads mean that the best test of a car's abilities isn't to be had here, but on a Malaysian makan run. Ignore the highways, take the challenging, twisty B-roads to work up an appetite, and earn the reward of great Malaysian nosh at the end of it.
Why the food talk in a car column? Porsche's Macan was apparently named after the Javanese word for "tiger", but we live in a food-addled part of the world, so why not?
As an introduction to the Porsche range, the mid-sized sport utility vehicle (SUV) has become the brand's fastest-selling model in history, and now accounts for more than half of its model sales around the world, including in Singapore.
It debuted in 2014, and has just received a mid-life facelift. The front end sees a mild nip-tuck, with new lights and slightly changed air intakes, but Porsche fans needn't worry as the most important thing is that it, in classic Porsche fashion, still obliquely resembles the 911 sports car.
Speaking of fashion, the Macan is even slightly ahead of its progenitor. The rear end receives some attention to keep it current, as there's now a full-width tail light section with a 3D-style lettering, something which will be only seen on the new-generation 911 that's due to launch in Singapore later this year.
Mechanically, the less expensive base model, the Macan, remains unchanged, but the Macan S driven here receives a new 3.0-litre V6 turbocharged engine, as seen on various cars by Volkswagen Group (which owns Porsche), such as the Audi A6.
That may sound like it spoils the broth a little, but keep in mind that components are merely the raw ingredients that make up cars - the recipe and the chef's ability are more important. In that sense, Porsche has always had its own special touch and it's still very apparent in the Macan S.
Besides obvious visual cues, such as the triple-binnacle instrument panel and the logical, squared layout of the cabin, the deft and well-balanced steering is an obvious sign you're driving something from Zuffenhausen. The 10.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system is a new addition, and like similar systems on more expensive Porsches, it looks sleek, adds a dash of overt technology, and collects fingerprints like crazy.
For a large, near 1.9-tonne SUV, the Macan has a totally outsized appetite for corners, with the sort of poise and balance which almost gives credence to Porsche's claim that it's both a sports car and SUV in one body.
It's even comfortable in the bargain, with a suspension setup that's still supple even in the sportiest setting.
The new engine is a little more powerful, with 354hp, and naturally Porsche's tweaked it to suit its own recipe, along with brand hallmarks such as all-wheel drive and a dual-clutch gearbox.
That gives the Macan S plenty of punch out of corners, even more if you engage the Sport Response button, which allows for 30-seconds of maximum thrust on demand.
While we didn't pilot the Macan S northward ourselves, it's abundantly clear that the car's poise and power mean it'll make short work of the hard-cornering and high speeds required for a fun-filled Malaysian food run. If you ignore the twisty stuff and stick to the North-South highway the car's excellent autobahn manners will get you there even quicker.
But if you're simply heading to Katong for laksa and not to Ipoh for some hor fun (which you can apparently get in Geylang anyway), that's not a problem either. The other enduring characteristic of a Porsche, that of daily drivability, is also clear and present in the Macan, and it handles Singapore's low-velocity grind smoothly without any Gordon Ramsay-type histrionics putting you in a spot.
In other words, the Macan S delivers very enjoyable sporting dynamics paired with the practicality of an SUV, in a package that's simple to enjoy.
Others can claim similar attributes, as the Macan S has no shortage of same-sized German luxury challengers, from the Audi SQ5, to the BMW X3 M40i, and the Mercedes-AMG GLC 43. By our estimation, the Macan S pulls ahead from that distinguished pack by just a hair, but like dining at a Michelin-starred eatery, don't expect the experience to come cheap.
While the Macan is the easiest Porsche to own, Porsche's approach to selling cars is more poke bowl than roti prata - the base price is just a starting point as you flick through the smorgasboard of cost-optional equipment.
It encompasses anything from minor visual touches to things that can improve the car's dynamics in a big way.
You can get a Macan S that is truly customised to your tastes, but it comes with a price: The test car driven here came loaded with optional equipment, such as the Miami Blue paint (S$8,762), adaptive suspension (S$4,227), carbon fibre interior trim (S$4,794), and more. In total, options added S$78,071 to the S$288,788 base price - and that's without a Certificate of Entitlement (COE).
But traipsing through the options catalogue is half the fun of buying a Porsche, anyway.
So it's clear that the Macan S is the sort of car for those with an appetite for more, as its name unintentionally suggests, and the means to furnish it.
If you do, the Macan offers significant breadth and depth of taste, and is an entertainingly fast way to find slow food.
Porsche Macan S
Engine 2,995cc, V6, turbocharged
Power 354hp at 5,400 - 6,400rpm
Torque 480Nm at 1,360-4,800rpm
Gearbox 7-speed dual-clutch automatic
Top Speed 254km/h
0-100km/h 5.1 seconds (as tested)
Fuel efficiency 9.6L/100km
Price S$288,788 without COE
Agent Stuttgart Auto
Available now
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