DRIVEN: Porsche Macan T is one sweet-handling SUV
Porsche’s ‘T’ badge was first attached to a 911 sports car in the 1960s and now, much to our delight, it has made a comeback.
Porsche launched the latest iteration of its 911 T back in 2022, and around the same time it also introduced a Macan T for those looking for the equivalent feels in the brand’s compact SUV package.
T stands for ‘Touring’ and it essentially pairs the base engine with a more dynamic design and chassis package inspired by the GTS models, just in a lighter and more affordable package.
In the Macan’s case, you get the 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbo petrol engine, based on the VW Group’s famous EA288 unit that powers the Golf GTI and R models, but longitudinally mounted and tuned to a warm but not fire-breathing 195kW and 400Nm.
But it’s the specially tuned chassis package that really sets the Macan T apart.
For starters, it comes with a steel sports suspension system that lowers the car by 15mm, with front anti-roll bars that are now more rigid.
It also features Porsche Active Suspension Management, while the Porsche Traction management all-wheel drive system has a more rearward bias versus the standard Macan.
Adaptive air suspension and Porsche Torque Vectoring are optional for the first time on a four-cylinder Macan.
But it’s debatable whether you really need those in a Macan T.
Whatever Porsche has done to the chassis, it results in one of the sweetest-handling SUVs we’ve ever driven.
Thrown into bends with some verve, there’s almost no body roll in the Macan T, and it has a balanced handling behaviour that’s not too prone to understeer.
The steering feels direct and communicative, imparting a solid and weighty sensation that gives the driver a good feel of what the front tyres are up to.
It may share parts with other VW Group MLB platform models like the Audi Q5, but Porsche engineers have made sure that it steers and handles in a way that you would expect a Porsche to.
But is the four-cylinder engine up to the job?
You’re not causing any explosions with your right pedal movements, but it is certainly brisk, and the exhaust has a raspy, somewhat pleasing note, without any of those over-the-top Vrrrphaaa antics that many performance hatch fans like to ramble on about.
The Macan T sprints from 0-100km/h in 6.2 seconds, according to factory claims, and it’s at the same time a seamless but still discernible experience thanks to that ultra-slick seven-speed PDK dual-clutch gearbox.
Driving modes can be switched easily via the steering wheel as the Macan T is fitted with Porsche’s Sports Chrono Package, making it easy to alter its personality as the mood or setting changes.
Apart from the chassis tweaks there are a number of exterior and interior design features that set the Macan T apart.
The vehicle rolls on 20-inch dark titanium alloy wheels and various components, such as the mirrors, roof spoiler, bumper trim and side blades are finished in Agate Grey Metallic. The T also sports high-gloss black side window trims and sports tailpipes.
The interior features eight-way adjustable sports front seats, and the upholstery is a combination of black leather bolsters and distinctive stripe-patterned Sport-Tex central sections, while the headrests are embossed with Porsche crests.
A multi-function GT sports steering wheel is also part of the deal.
The cockpit features a large, as in 10.9-inch, touchscreen infotainment system with online navigation, but this is not an overly digitised car. The instrument cluster is still analogue and you’ll find buttons and knobs on the dashboard for most of the functions that you would normally prefer to control manually.
All round it’s a decent blend of new world and traditional.
Being the smallest of Porsche SUVs, the cabin is not as family-friendly as that of the larger Cayenne, of course, but it could serve a smallish family at a push, especially since the boot swallows a fairly reasonable 458 litres.
VERDICT
In our book, its overall composition makes for a very decent compromise between practicality and driving pleasure.
But deep down inside we do wish the Macan T came with a detuned version of Audi’s five-cylinder turbo engine, although that is of course out of the question for various reasons.
At R1,524,000 at the time of writing, the Porsche Macan T slots neatly between the base Macan (R1.39m) and Macan S (R1.66m). Cheap it isn’t, but then it is a Porsche, and it’s also well within the ballpark of Merc’s GLC Coupe, which retails from R1,41m to R1,58m.
IOL Motoring