Impressions of riding Porsche Macan for a week | How is it different from Cayenne and 911?

Porsche Macan
Reviews & Test Rides

Macan S

The other day, it was a car inspection of Carrera 4 GTS in the first half of 991, so I put it in the dealer.

At that time,I was able to rent a Macan S with a substitute carSo, I would like to report on that impression. This Macan is a model before the touch panel interior that is currently on sale, it will be a model of a minor change in 2019 with a rear tail lamp connected, and it is also called a mid-term model.

Porsche Macan

The rear tail lamp is connected from the mid-term model.

Porsche Macan

Porsche approved Hancock tires

As a spec, it is equipped with a 3.0 L (2,995 cc) V6 turbo engine. It is the same 3.0L engine as the current Cayenne base model, and is different from the GTS and turbo 2.9L (2894cc) engines.

The output is 354ps (260kW) / 5400-6400rpm, the maximum torque is 48.9kg ・ m (480N ・ m) / 1360-4800rpm, and it boasts sufficient power, and the acceleration of 0-100km / h is 5.1 seconds on a car equipped with a sports chrono package. It is quite quick for an SUV.

This car is equipped with 18-inch standard wheels on it,An individual of normal spring suspension (PASM) instead of air suspensionIt is.

Difference in living space from Cayenne

Immediately open the front door where Carmine Red is beautiful and sit down on the driver's seat.

As the vehicle height is high, the view is good. Looking at the passenger seat side, I feel that the distance to the passenger seat door is closer than that of Cayenne.Looking back and looking at the back seats, this is clearly narrower than the Cayenne.

However, it is as large as a C-segment hatchback or wagon, soIs it the same as or slightly wider than the back seat of VW Golf, which is originally comfortable?That's about it.

Porsche Macan interior

Porsche Macan

Cayenne is wider here.

If all five members of the family want to move comfortably, Cayenne,I think that Macan is enough for a family of four.Think of the big difference as the distance between the back seats and the front seats.

Impression of ride quality

When you start the engine, it's very quiet. The tachometer needle dances at the start up to about 2000 rpm like other Porsche, but the engine start sound heard indoors is quite modest, even though it is an individual without a sports exhaust,Compared to the Macan of the previous term, I get the impression that it is considerably mature.

However, the starting sound and exhaust sound heard outside are quite brave,It creates an atmosphere that is a little different from other SUVs. It is a production that is not ashamed of Porsche's name.

Porsche Macan

If you start running slowly,The rolling feeling and smoothness of the tires are not as good as those of Cayenne.However, theWhen driving on a road with many gaps at low speed, there is less shaking in Macan, and the feeling of flatness is strong.On the other hand.As the speed increases, it reverses and Cayenne's smoothness and flatness are superior.

Since the Cayenne is huge and designed with full-scale off-road driving in mind, it may move like an SUV at extremely low speeds.Macan is like a sports carThe big difference at low speeds is that the road surface is lightly smoothed and suppressed.

However, please do not take the above evaluation alone.

BecauseAs always with Porsche, it varies greatly depending on the options (air suspension, spring suspension, PASM) and wheel size.There are some cases, so please keep it as a reference only.

From my experience riding various things, the overall impression of Macan's suspension is that Cayenne wins in terms of road noise processing and quietness. It depends on the inch of the tire,The current Cayenne's spring suspension and Macan's air suspension are a good ride quality.Macan's spring suspension has a sports car-like core and is comfortable to ride. Not bad at all.

However, if you want even higher quality and smoothness like Cayenne, we recommend air suspension.

Drivability in the city. The only drawback is here.

nextTry running in a city with many stop and go.

Put a light force on the accelerator, and just step on it, the Macan S will lightly speed up. The shift of the PDK is also very smooth, and the impression is that it is even better than the previous model, and I think it is a tiptronic of a torque converter type AT.

However, theI only want to point out the dissatisfaction with this Macan here.

This is a problem that is often found in high-performance grades among recent turbocharged Porsche.Actually, it's not just about the Macan S. As far as I can think of, 992 S series, Cayenne S, Panamera S and above, etc. are more or less similar movementsdo. (This is also one of the reasons why I always say that the original model is good!)

Porsche Macan meter

Let's say it runs on a well-flowing national highway in the city at 50-60km / h, for example. Imagine a car in front of you with a turn signal to the left, trying to enter a convenience store, or carefully turning left at an intersection with a pedestrian crossing.

The speed of the car in front slowed down, so I stepped on the brakes and the speed dropped to around 20km / h. The PDK, which used to select 5th or 6th gear, drops the gear to 3rd or 2nd gear. The number of revolutions at that time is about 1000 rpm to 1100 rpm.

Then, the car in front disappears, and the Macan S tries to accelerate again.

This is the problem. Do not accelerate.The maximum torque generation speed of the Macan S is from 1360 rpm. The torque is from low speed enough, but if you decelerate in such a scene, it will be out of this torque band.

The difference is about 200-300 rpm, but there is a big problem here. Because it is a high-performance turbo engineIt takes a little time to supercharge the turbo, and the torque rises quite suddenly, so it is very jerky depending on how you step on the accelerator.The first is the "I" in "I".

Porsche Macan Center Console

If you step on it, you won't be so worried, but it's quite difficult. Because, as a driver who has a feeling of exhilarating power when running at 50-60km / h, he unconsciously steps on the accelerator with the same strength as at that time.

However, Macan does not react as much as I expected. "that?I thought, and stepped further.

At that time, Macan's engine fits perfectly with the sharp torque curve at the red circle below, and it also overlaps with the gear ratio that dropped to 2nd gear, and suddenly tries to accelerate violently. As a driver, "No, it doesn't have to accelerate so quickly ...".

Torque curve of Macan S

If you slow down in the city in normal mode, you can easily get into this red circle. Then, at the time of re-acceleration, I feel a turbo lag and a sudden torque fluctuation, and I feel jerky.

This is sober and stressful. I've been riding for a week and got used to it a little, but I want you to accelerate more seamlessly and smoothly.

This problem only occurs when running in normal mode, soIf you don't like this, you can run in sports mode or higher, or manually operate the PDK.In sports mode, it keeps the rotation so that the torque band is not removed, so it is very easy to run.

thx,The control and gear ratio of Porsche's normal mode after this era are too ecological.In order to clear various regulations, although there are some parts that can not be helped, what users want from Porsche is drivability as if the right foot and the tire are directly connected.

Impressions on the highway

On the other hand, it is very easy to drive on national roads and highways in the countryside where the flow is good. The excellent stability and the feeling of contact with the tires give the driver a sense of security, and you can drive with confidence in the car.

This time, I went to Wakayama for a short touring, so I would like to explain in a little more detail based on the impression at that time.

Drive scenery

Not to mention the impression on the highway, I have no complaints.Great straight-line stability and stability in high-speed corners are great and even invincible.The overtaking acceleration is sufficient, and few people will be dissatisfied with the ride quality.

However, those who consider Macan as a luxury car and purchase it, or those who buy it with higher quality,It is a fact that those who want more smoothness should choose air suspension or Cayenne.

However, theIf you do not make a direct comparison, the PASM specifications of the spring suspension are sufficient.The first is.

In winding?

Get off the highway and head south on R424 in Wakayama to K198. In the winding around here, Macan shows its true character. "Is it a tall Cayman? !!You can attack the corners with a run as much as you think without a joke. Set to Sport Plus mode to maximize the damping force of PASM,When I run with a paddle shift, I can't think of it as an SUV, though it's not very good.

Drive scenery

Of course, I do not say that I can beat Cayman and Boxster, but this movement is a little different from other SUVs. It feels like the aim is different in the first place. It gives the illusion of driving a high-performance hatchback.

Panamera expressed that the more you attack the winding, the smaller the car body will feel gradually, but when expressing Macan,Impression that the more you attack, the lower the vehicle heightis. If this is an air suspension, the vehicle height will actually be lowered, so the center of gravity will be lowered, and I think that the driving will be sharper.

The feeling of steering is Porsche itself.It is the same for 911, Cayenne, Panamera and Macan that the gain rises according to the steering amount of the steering instead of quick.It's a completely Porsche feeling.

When riding a Macan, the price of the vehicle itself is cheap, so I sometimes hear that it is misunderstood by SUVs and domestic SUVs in the same price range, and it is often thought that it is a "cheap Porsche".To be clear, I don't think it will be a match in terms of driving performance.

Macan's 4x4 control, brake

The Macan is originally a model that shares a platform with Audi, and although the platform of the FF car is the parent body, the Macan distributes a lot of torque to the rear wheels with a front-rear ratio of 2: 8 even in normal times.

Therefore.It is a car that is closer to FR.

Observing the torque distribution of the 4x4 on the instrument panel, it seems that there is a tendency to more aggressively distribute the torque to the front, which is very different from the 911 Carrera 4 series. If it is 911, is it about 3: 7? Even in the situation where you think, it is 5: 5, which seems to be a torque distribution that emphasizes the front.

Porsche Macan 4x4 control monitor

In addition, I do not feel the negative of handling due to it, but unlike 911, it does not make me conscious of the behavior like 4x4, and there are places where I think that it is 4x4 to some extent. I feel that because of the strength of the sense of stability and the fact that the influence of the load is less.

The brakes also work great. Not only does it work, it's also very easy to control.This also achieves a level that is not ashamed of Porsche's name, so the act of decelerating with the brakes itself seems to be fun.

About PDK

For PDK,To be honest, I prefer the first half.

In particular, this PDK is not inferior in performance, but rather it is a smooth and wonderful finish, but the sound at the time of shifting and the sound of blipping are too mature, I think that it is "911 ?!" of the previous term Macan. The bashing and bashing noises and the barking and exaggerated blipping are completely hidden.

What does this area want from Macan? I think that the evaluation will be divided, butFor me, who seeks the enjoyment of driving first, it is a little lonely evaluation.

Porsche Macan Center Console

Sohyo (General Council of Trade Unions of Japan)

R311 is a famous road with nobody. Run through the fresh green.

It's my first time touring with an SUV, but even with an SUV, Macan never gets bored. I think he is a person who can always enjoy driving normally and can drive without getting tired. Rather, when the car in front is slow and clogged, Macan tells the driverRun more!There is also a place that makes me rush, and I think that is different from Cayenne.

Therefore.When going touring in Macan, it is better to choose a fast track as it is.

Porsche Macan

Then, can one Macan cover all the charm of Porsche's running? That is not the case. A car that has enough Porsche charm,After all it is not comparable to the fun of 911 and Cayman BoxsterThere is a place.

Well, of course, of course.

It may be the cornering speed due to physical restrictions, the limit value, or the difference in behavior that comes from the mounting position of the engine.

Therefore, it is better to think of Macan as a digest version of Porsche, a omnibus, if you compare it to a drama. You can fully enjoy the story with that alone,If you want to see the main story further, please go to "911 and Cayman / Boxster! 』\There is a way called

If you want to taste a different story, there is a spin-off version with enhanced luxury such as Cayenne and Panamera.

If I buy a Macan, I think I will use it like my own personal coupe. This is because Porsche can handle everything from commuting to shopping and long-distance travel at work.

Cayenne's giant is a little exaggerated, does not need the formal feeling of Panamera, does not require running as much as 911 and Cayman Boxster, at such timesA car that will entertain "Porsche" with just the right balance.

I think that is Macan.

Hiro

I am Mina's husband. We don't drive cars for fashion or status symbols. We like cars that are fun to drive, are good industrial products, and have a sense of the maker's intention...

Profile

Follow me if you like this blog!

Close Comment
  • Comment ( 4 )

  • Trackbacks are closed.

  1. Rhino

    Nice to meet you, I have been reading the blog for a long time.
    Very easy-to-understand and easy-to-imagine reviews are helpful when choosing a car!

    I am currently considering purchasing a Macan, and I have a question there, but I think that the engine of the Macan was changed from the mid-term type or the late type to the Audi made, but this change loses the "Porsche-like feeling". Isn't it being broken?
    I think that Porsche's engine, whether NA or turbo, seems to wrap around at once around 1000 rpm just before the rev limit.

    I am thinking that the current Macan will be tested in the near future. However, it is difficult to test drive the early model, so we would love to hear your opinions.

    • HiroHiro

      Hello Sai.
      Thank you for always reading.

      I think that Macan has changed the engine from the middle type or the late type to Audi, but isn't this change losing the "Porsche-like feeling"?

      This is partly wrong to be exact. The late model V6 is a 2.9L (2894cc) engine for both S and GTS, which is said to be an engine designed by Porsche without the help of the VW Group. However, I have heard that manufacturing is a factory of the VW Group. In addition, 3.0L of the previous term and this middle term S is also an engine of the VW group, and it seems that this is not a Porsche design. However, I have heard from a Porsche marketer that the parts installed in Porsche are significantly different from those of Audi in each engine. Also, as evidence, in the case of Porsche, the specified viscosity of the oil is high and it is Porsche A40 standard. (When it comes to the model after the recent GPF installation (about the middle term or later), it becomes C20 or C30 series oil, and the viscosity is not much different from other companies)
      As for the feeling, it is not as sensual as the 911 Cayman / Boxster horizontally opposed engine. However, I have the impression that it runs better than other SUV engines.
      It's just my personal preference, but if I buy a Macan, it's the turbo or GTS of the previous term. Both aim to have air suspension.

  2. ds124

    Good evening, hiro-san.
    I refrained from sending DM, but the 981 Boxster gts was delivered safely. It's great to say the least!
    By the way, regarding Macan, I was honestly surprised that Mr. hiro prefers air suspension to (for Macan) in the impression that he borrowed the middle turbo (air suspension) and the late elementary Macan (spring suspension without PASM) for one week each. ..
    I was not good at the Macan's air suspension because it had a weak grounding feeling, it felt like it was floating in the air, and unexpected shaking occurred, but with the standard spring suspension of the late Macan, there is no discomfort. I was able to ride comfortably.
    Also, compared to ds7, when my wife's opinion was mid-term turbo, "I don't want to buy a new one because it's uncomfortable to ride", but in the late-stage Macan, "ds7 is better, but if you buy a new one, It was good. "
    My wife who likes fluffy type seems to like the ride quality of ds7, so it seems that the standard spring suspension, which should be harder than the air suspension, was better for some reason. (Both are looking at the back seat)
    Of course, I think that the difference in weight such as the engine also has an effect.

    Macan as [Small Cayenne]
    It seems that the evaluation will be greatly divided depending on which of the Macan you want as a [Big Cayman]. (My wife's opinion is still a mystery)
    I ordered PASM spring suspension, PSCB brakes, and 21-inch wheels, but sometimes the air suspension was better ...
    No, but I wonder what it feels like at that time ...
    There are times when I get lost ^^;

    I have derailed a lot, but considering that the mid-term turbo and late gts are equipped with air suspension as standard equipment, Porsche may be "If you want to run, it is air suspension!", But hiro is a hard-liner? I imagined that I would prefer a naive spring suspension. I wanted to write that (laughs)

    • HiroHiro

      Answer Hello ds124.

      Congratulations on the delivery of the 981 Boxster GTS!
      Great to say the least! I understand well ^^

      Actually, I'm basically Macan and Cayenne are air suspension. (My Cayenne is a spring suspension, but I bought a hanging)
      There are two reasons, and since you can enjoy full-scale driving with 911 and Boxster, one point is that you do not particularly ask Cayenne and Macan so much.
      The second point, on the contrary, is that it is considered to be an air suspension because it is a hard-liner, and that is because the height of the air suspension can be physically lowered.
      If you run with Sports Plus etc., the vehicle height will drop, and even at high speeds it will drop above a certain level.
      Physically lowering the center of gravity is more of an advantage than air and springs, and it clearly increases the sense of stability, so I'm an air suspension sect ^^