MACAN TO A T (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

Porsche's 2.0-litre Macan T defines what a mid-sized premium sports SUV should be. Jonathan Crouch reports.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 49

So here we are at the end of an era. The last update for Porsche's combustion-engined Macan, part of which has brought us this more focused 2.0-litre variant, the Macan T. It might even represent the handling sweet spot in the range - but you'll pay for the privilege.

Backgroundword count: 223

Porsche's Macan is a mid-sized SUV model that in the last decade has sold well enough to pay for the electric development that will soon make fossil fuelled versions of it obsolete. But not yet. Late 2021 saw a final update to the combustion models, creating a last-of-the-line range that includes this 2.0-litre Macan T variant. The petrol Macan models will sell alongside the new full-electric Macan Porsche will launch in 2023, before fossil-fuelled Macans gradually get phased out in 2024. So should you grab the opportunity to fuel your Macan while you can? Or wait for a new-era electric one? Well that won't be a hard decision to make if you enjoy your driving. Any future EV Macan will be an impressive device - Porsche's Taycan series has shown us that. But that full-battery Macan will carry a huge amount more weight than this one - and of course will be limited in how far you can drive it between charges. So the Zuffenhausen faithful, people who'd ideally like a Porsche sports car but need five doors and a decent boot, will continue to love the Macan just as it already is. And they'll choose it right at the end of its production run safe in the knowledge that it still the finest handling SUV out there. Especially in Macan T form.

Driving Experienceword count: 166

Ready for T for two? If you're looking at a base 2.0-litre Porsche Macan and thinking of adding the 'PASM' 'Porsche Active Suspension management' adaptive damping system into the mix, it's worth considering the alternative variant with this four cylinder engine, the Macan T we look at here, which comes with 'PASM' as standard, along with a package of more focused dynamic tweaks; a 15mm ride height reduction, stiffer front axle anti-roll bars, an adapted 'PTM' 'Porsche Traction Management' set-up and even more careful chassis tuning for suspension, powertrain and steering. This car's 2.0-litre turbo unit is an engine that must be revved out to do its best work; peak power isn't actually delivered until you get to 5,000 revs, by which time if you've stormed off from rest 62mph will be flashing by. The official sprint time is 6.4s thanks to the inclusion of a Launch Control system within the 7-speed paddleshift PDK auto gearbox that all Macans have to have. Top speed is 144mph.

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