When Porsche comes out with a new model, you can bet there鈥檒l be more versions to come. And that goes for the Panamera as much as it does for any other model in Zuffenhausen鈥檚 lineup. One thing Porsche won鈥檛 do is a Panamera GT3 - much less a GT3 RS. If it did, this is probably pretty close to what it鈥檇 look like. Rendered by Nikita Aksyonov, these images put the details from the new 911 GT3 RS on its four-door counterpart to make for one very hot-looking sedan. Just look at all those air vents, the ground effects, the giant rear wing. For better or worse, the German automaker will probably never make such a vehicle. The GT department that鈥檚 responsible for the 911 GT3 and Cayman GT4 has said emphatically that it will never apply its skills to Porsche鈥檚 crossovers, and we doubt they鈥檇 touch the Panamera either. So as far as the purist approach goes, the next GTS will likely be as close as it gets.
The Porsche Macan SUV arrived in 2014 to great fanfare. Complementing the Cayenne in the German brand鈥檚 SUV range, it opened up Porsche ownership to an even wider range of buyers - but it earned its stripes on merit. The original was a peach to drive, with a premium image that meant owners loved it. There was a good choice of powertrains, too, with V6 petrol and diesel models offering differing performance. However, diesel is no more in the updated Macan line-up. Instead, the most efficient model is now this 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol unit. It was available on special order in the old car, but few UK buyers took up the option. With this renewed focus on petrol power, the facelifted Macan is set to be much more popular. The Porsche has always been an SUV for keen drivers, so its main competitor is clearly the Jaguar F-Pace - another premium package that focuses on petrol-powered driving enjoyment mixed with quality, practicality and equipment.
This 2.0-litre car is the entry-level model in the new Macan range. Prices start from 拢46,344, so it鈥檚 well matched to the F-Pace. However, it鈥檒l have to live up to the Jag鈥檚 new technology, too. Let鈥檚 find out how much of an improved package the Porsche is. Under the skin, the Macan still uses the same platform, so there are no huge changes here. That means the basic suspension layout remains, with double wishbones at the front and a multi-link set-up at the rear. However, there are lighter but firmer springs, which are claimed to improve handling without compromising comfort. Other alterations ensure it鈥檚 even more refined. The optional Porsche Adaptive Suspension Management (PASM) function is probably worth its 拢816 cost to broaden the Macan鈥檚 ability. The 2.0-litre unit is the same basic motor as that fitted to VW鈥檚 Golf GTI Performance, with a particulate filter in the exhaust for this updated car. There鈥檚 242bhp, 370Nm of torque and a seven-speed PDK dual-clutch gearbox, only here it sends power to all four wheels. There are more changes inside the Porsche - the most important of which is the new 10.9-inch infotainment screen.
It鈥檚 similar in appearance and operation to the units in the Panamera, Cayenne and the latest 911, and it鈥檚 here where the new Macan gets its largest technology update. The rest of the cabin is similar to its predecessor鈥檚, which means even in this entry-level car quality is impressive. The centre console still features a few too many buttons and switches compared with the simpler set-up in Porsche鈥檚 newer models, though. You get a good standard of basic kit, with sat-nav, Apple CarPlay, DAB, 18-inch alloys, LED lights, cruise and climate control, a power tailgate and parking sensors. However, features such as a full-leather interior are extra, at 拢1,044, while heated seats cost 拢294. Both are standard on the Jag, but the Macan鈥檚 cabin quality still feels stronger than the F-Pace鈥檚. The Macan is still the best-driving car of its type, even with this smaller, less powerful engine. Its steering has a lovely weight and just the right rate of response for a car of this size and bulk. That鈥檚 because those suspension tweaks have yielded genuinely hot hatch-bothering grip.