These days, SUV buyers are no longer looking just for practicality, but also style, speed, and even sports-car rivalling performance. If you’re looking for an SUV that can deliver “agility and responsiveness of a true sports car”, Porsche’s facelifted Macan GTS might be the only car you need.
The facelifted Porsche Macan GTS gets a suite of goodies to make it the sportiest of the bunch. Firstly, under the hood is a new 2.9-litre V6 biturbo engine that delivers 380 hp and 520 Nm of torque, which puts it in between the Macan S and the Macan Turbo in terms of power.
Despite the smaller displacement engine, the updated Macan GTS gains 20 hp and 20 Nm from its predecessor. Combined with the specially tuned PDK dual-clutch gearbox and the optional Sport Chrono package, the Macan GTS completes the century sprint in 4.7 seconds, onward to a top speed of 261 km/h.
The GTS abbreviation (for Gran Turismo Sport) on a Porsche usually means outstanding driving dynamics, and the Macan GTS is no different.
The Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) damping control system has been specifically tuned for the new GTS, while the chassis has been lowered by 15 mm for a lower centre of gravity. The optional adaptive air suspension lowers it by a further 10 mm.
The Macan GTS rides on 20-inch RS Spyder Design wheels, housing the 360 mm front and 330 mm rear cast iron brakes. The brakes can be upgraded with a tungsten carbide coating or ceramic composite units for enhanced stopping performance.
Visually, the Macan GTS inherits the facelifted Macan design, but gets a Sport Design package as standard that includes sportier front and rear trims and side skirts. The distinguishing black accents from the GTS models are applied on the front apron, taillights and LED light bar, rear diffuser, tailpipes, and the wheels.
The LED headlights with Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS) are also darkened, and can be fitted with the PDLS Plus system.
The sportiness of the GTS is emphasised on the inside with generous use of Alcantara on the GTS exclusive sports seats, centre console armrests and door panels. Leather upholstery can be had in either Carmine Red or Crayon to offset the swath of Alcantara cloth.
Of course, the Macan GTS still needs to be a competent everyday road car where it will mostly be driven. Porsche is making available a whole list of optional equipment for the Macan GTS, including a Bose Surround Sound system, wireless phone charging, adaptive cruise control, heated windscreen and even an air ioniser.
