Porsche have bolstered their line-up with the addition of a new base Macan petrol, a model immune to the diesel-ban plague, at Rs 76.16 lakh (ex-showroom).
The ban on the sale of diesel vehicles above 2,000 cc in the national capital region and Kerala, with more states to follow, has seen many a manufacturer having to face the prospect of a severe drop in sales. The luxury car brands haven’t been spared as well, and, thus, have begun introducing petrol-powered versions of their popular models. Porsche is among the first to bring in a more affordable petrol SUV with the launch of the new Macan.
Powered by the VW Group’s 1,984-cc in-line four turbo-petrol engine, the Macan makes 252 PS and 370 Nm. Peak power kicks in from 5,000 and stays until 6,800 RPM while the torque peaks between 1,600 and 4,500 RPM. The eight-speed autobox funnels the power to the four-wheel-drive system allowing a 0-100 km/h sprint in a claimed 6.7 seconds with a top speed of 229 km/h. Fuel efficiency, meanwhile, is a claimed 13.8 km/l.
Those kind of numbers may seem familiar because the Macan matches – in terms of size, too – something that also came in recently from down the road in Stuttgart: the new Mercedes-Benz GLC 300. While that has 245 PS and 370 Nm, it does cost a more reasonable Rs 50.9 lakh (ex-showroom). However, Porsche do want to stand out and keep the Macan exclusive. There’s one way to do it while ensuring it’s popular in diesel-negated zones as well.
For those who want more, the Macan GTS, with all of 360 PS also looks set to arrive shortly. However, if the most is what you seek, the incredible Macan Turbo is right up there.
Story: Jim Gorde
