Porsche Macan S Diesel review, test drive

With mixed sportscar and SUV DNA, this new Porsche is a unique package. Shapur Kotwal is the first to see how well it tackles Indian roads.

Published on Jul 21, 2014 12:30:00 PM

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Porsche Macan.

Make : Porsche

Model : Macan

Porsche says its new Macan, soon to be launched in India, is the ideal blend between a sportscar and an SUV. It certainly looks somewhat radical, sitting on a picturesque hillock on the outskirts of Nashik. What strikes me when I first walk up to it is the relatively modest size, the comparatively low slung stance and that rear hatch, that wouldn't look too out of place on a coupé or grand tourer. In fact, the Macan looks like a junior Cayenne. Viewed head on, the Macan looks like it’s ready to gobble up anything in front of it (for which it certainly has the pace) and it sure is going to look quite intimidating in your rear-view mirror too.

No point in wasting time; I lower myself into the perfectly contoured driver’s seat, yes lower, because you sit lower than you expect in a typical SUV and fire up the diesel engine. Even a quick glance around is enough to give me the impression that I’m sitting in a full-blown sportscar and not an SUV. Most of all, this can’t be mistaken for anything but a Porsche. The rev counter takes pride of place in the three-dial instrument binnacle, just like in a 911, Cayman or Boxster, and the three-spoke steering wheel with tiny multi-function controls is borrowed from the 918 supercar.