Porsche Macan Turbo with Performance Pack

Porsche wouldn’t name the latest Macan Turbo a Turbo S, but it should have

IT may be an indicated -5 degrees Celsius outside, with powdery snow being crushed beneath the Macan’s winter tyres, but thankfully I am warm and snug inside the luxuriously appointed cabin. It’s an interior with a perceived quality that comfortably matches that of the pricier Cayenne SUV and, although it is a space that’s noticeably more compact, you do feel more plugged into the controls than in the Cayenne. In these conditions, though, I can’t deploy all the available performance, although that opportunity will soon present itself.

Until now, the Macan Turbo has been Porsche’s sportiest compact SUV, but it’s decided to up the ante with the optional Performance Pack. And it is a thorough update, too. Not only are a lowered sport chassis, updated brake system (the front discs are 30 mm larger at 390 mm), Sports Chrono Package and a sports exhaust system fitted as standard, but the engine has been tweaked to deliver an additional 30 kw and 50 N.m. This brings the total to 324 kw and a round 600 N.m, putting it on par with the engine output of the Cayenne GTS.

On the snowy roads of northern Finland, the chances to fully exploit the Macan’s performance are limited, especially any cornering capabilities, but it certainly makes for an encouragingly playful drive. With the bulk of the torque sent to the rear axle, it is easy to get the car to drift in these conditions, even from a standstill; where we encounter grippier surfaces, the rev needle comfortably swings around the dial to its 6 800 r/min redline.

Press the exhaust button and the deep tone from the quad pipes becomes slightly louder and, equipped with Porsche’s seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, shifts are instantaneous. Our test vehicle is equipped with carbon-ceramic brakes, which are sensitive and strong; perfect for enthusiastic driving.

On the highway, the Macan holds its own and manages that fine balance of comfort and surefootedness that we have come to expect from a Porsche performance SUV.

Yes, it is pricey; this PP model costs R120 000 more than the Turbo, but considering what you get for your money, it is the one to get. Although it costs more than an entry-level 911, it boasts significantly increased power and torque, while its claimed dash to 100 km/h is a fraction quicker. Porsche’s iconic sportscar may still pip the Macan in terms of top speed, but this Macan is a real showcase for how far Porsche’s compact SUV has come.