Porsche reveals new base model Macan

Porsche used the growing importance of the Beijing motor show to shine a global spotlight on the debut of the coming four-cylinder Macan that will become the new entry level model.

The engine -- the first four-cylinder in a Porsche for close to 20 years, since the exit of the 968 -- is from parent company Volkswagen Group, and shared with a host of siblings from the Audi S3 to VW Golf.

In the Macan it delivers 177kW of power and 350Nm of torque, and mated to a seven-speed dual clutch transmission with paddleshifters on the steering wheel sending torque to an all-wheel drive system. It serves up a 0-100km/h time of 6.9 seconds, top speed of 222km/h and fuel economy of 7.2L/100km on the European combined cycle.

More importantly, it will deliver a new entry level price for the Macan -- and to the Porsche brand. The Macan is already positioning itself as the cheapest way to get into a Porsche, set to arrive here priced from $84,900 for the diesel SD base model.

That's already about $15,000 less than the currently lowest-priced Porsche, the Cayenne SUV, and means the Macan is set to overtake its bigger brother as the sales hero. Expect that to be amplified if -- but more likely when -- the four-cylinder petrol version arrives here.

It hasn't been confirmed yet, but expect to hear some news after the first diesel models start arriving mid-year.

Those who decide to wait for the four-cylinder will see little to visually distinguish it, with the main differences being smaller 18-inch wheels rather than the 19s on the Macan S, and dual exhaust tips instead of quads.

This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott