Porsche Macan 2016 News

Porsche has introduced a Performance Package to its compact SUV, the Macan Turbo.Porsche has introduced a Performance Package to its compact SUV, the stylish Macan Turbo. It has a newly developed brake system, lowered body, controlled sports chassis, Sport Chrono Package and sports exhaust system.The Package includes 21-inch wheels in the 911 Turbo design with lateral spokes painted in high-gloss black, LED headlights with PDLS Plus and stealth black elements. Black continues into the leather interior with Alcantara elements.Porsche's twin-turbo 3.6-litre V6 engine has been upgraded to deliver 440hp (324kW) of power, a handy 10 per cent up on the standard Macan Turbo.Torque is even more important than power in real life and the Macan Performance Package sees it increased from 550Nm to 600Nm. The miracle of modern electronics means this 600Nm is there all the way from 1500 to 4500 revs.The seven-speed PDK transmission is tuned to give extremely short response times, optimum switching points and increased torque during gear changes for maximum acceleration.This suite of changes trims the Macan's zero to 100km/h time to 4.4 seconds, a healthy reduction of 0.4 seconds. Top speed is up from 266km/h to 272km/h.Get in quick if you're planning a trip to the Northern Territory as there are rumours the new government there is keen on bringing back speed limits. Painful!Grooved brake discs with a diameter of 390mm are fitted at front, these are 30 millimetres larger than the discs on the regular Macan Turbo. Six-piston callipers with a red paint finish add a visual statement to the immense stopping power.The hot Macan Turbo comes standard with air suspension and Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM). Ride height is reduced by a further 10mm from the already lowered Macan Turbo which sits 25mm down on the standard Macan.Macan's Sport Chrono Package; when the Sport Plus mode is engaged, sets the chassis, engine and transmission to maximum advantage. We are told this setting is, "accompanied by an even more emotional sound from the sports exhaust system." by the Porsche engineers. We are yet to hear it for ourselves as Australia has yet to receive its first shipment of Macan Turbo with Performance Package.The Macan Turbo with Performance Package is available for order now in Australia. It's priced from $143,500 excluding statutory and dealer charges.Local deliveries expected from March 2017. Stay tuned for our reports as soon as that month rolls around.

The New York motor show in April will see the announcement of which vehicle has won the 2014 World COTY, and there looks to be a tough -- and very varied -- field of finalists.Last year's winner was the Volkswagen Golf, which also took awards in pretty well every country on the globe. But this year it could be anything from the little electric BMW i3 to the offroading Jeep Cherokee and even the Citroen C4 peoplemover, judging by the shortlist.A panel of 69 motoring experts from around the world -- including Carsguide's Paul Gover and National Motoring Editor Joshua Dowling -- will choose the winner from: Audi A3, BMW 4 Series, BMW i3, Cadillac CTS, Citroen C4 Picasso, Ford Fusion/Mondeo, Infiniti Q50, Jeep Cherokee, Lexus IS, Mazda3, Peugeot 308 and Skoda Octavia.The 10 finalists for the 2014 World Luxury Car are the Bentley Flying Spur, BMW X5, Cadillac ELR, Cadillac Escalade, Maserati Ghibli, Maserati Quattroporte, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Porsche Macan, Range Rover Sport and Rolls-Royce Wraith.Due to a tie, there are 11 finalists for the 2014 World Performance Car: Alfa Romeo 4C, Audi RS 6 Avant, BMW M6 Gran Coupe, Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, Ferrari 458 Speciale, Ford Fiesta ST, Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 Roadster, Mercedes-Benz A/CLA45 AMG, Porsche 911 GT3, Porsche 911 Turbo and Volkswagen Golf GTI.A separate panel of five 'green' experts will choose the 2014 World Green Car from Audi A3 Sportback e-tron (+ Audi e-gas), BMW i3, Honda Accord Hybrid, Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and Volkswagen XL1.Similarly, a panel of five design experts will decide on the 2014 World Car Design of the Year, from among: BMW i3, Cadillac CTS, Citroen C4 Picasso, Mazda3, Lexus IS, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Volkswagen XL1.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott 

Porsche’s next generation four wheel drive flagship due in 2017 will take advantage of weight savings and safety gains from a new platform while gaining new styling inspired on Porsche’s entry level SUV.The new MLB platform is shared with Audi’s upcoming Q7, Lamborghini’s and Bentley’s planned four wheel drives and the next generation Volkswagen Touareg. The modular architecture will allow weight savings of more than 100kg. An increase in torsional rigidity and safety is also expected. Importantly, the modular structure will keep costs down by spreading development costs across a large number of models in VW Group’s portfolio.Stylistically, Porsche’s familiar DNA continues, with wide wheel arches and oval headlamps. But the new look Cayenne will borrow its smaller sibling’s cues, with a clam shell bonnet and rising creased shoulder line running the length of the sides.Engines are likely to be revised versions of the current power plants, raising the output from 221kW V6, 294kW V8 in the Cayenne S, and flagship V8 Cayenne Turbo delivering a stonking 368kW. Carry over V6 Diesel with 179kW, and 279kW V6 petrol-electric hybrid power plants are also expected to continue. But those who don’t want to wait until 2017 for a new Cayenne will be happy to hear that next year we’ll see a facelift of the current model, intended to keep the SUV looking fresh until the next generation arrives.