With the new refresh of the Macan, Porsche has introduced a new model in the lineup to split the difference between the Macan and the Macan S. There’s a new sweet spot in the Macan lineup, and it’s the new Macan T. We might deride the Macan a little around here as being a poor replacement for one of the brand’s sports cars, but when it comes to compact utility vehicles, there is hardly a better one on the market. By the sounds of things, Porsche just made it a little bit better. Until we drive one, we can’t say for sure, but the T looks like the Goldilocks just right solution.
Porsche has given the world a 911 T and both Boxsters and Caymans T at this point, but this is the first non-sports car from the brand to carry the T nomenclature. At this point we’re starting to get a flavor for what the T name means in modern Porsche world. It’s a bit like GTS but based on the standard model rather than a more powerful iteration of the S. It’s all the sporty suspension features of an S or GTS but with the standard model’s lower-power engine. Throw in some exclusive design features and a fancy interior, and you’ve got yourself a T.
In the case of the new Macan T, the formula is pretty simple. You’re starting with a standard model Macan 2.0-liter turbocharged four cylinder making 261 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. Porsche is quick to point out that the 2-liter heater is a full 129 pounds lighter than the 3-liter V6 found in the Macan S, so you’re likely to have improved steering and sharper handling without that extra weight on the nose. Porsche’s Traction Management all-wheel drive system, as usual, is standard. With Sport Chrono also standard on the T, you get a few seconds of overboost to help propel the car to a 5.8-second 0-60, two tenths quicker than the standard model Macan.
The Macan T will come standard with Porsche Active Suspension Management, which includes a 15mm lower spring setup, and 20-inch wheels for aggressive handling. The car’s all-wheel-drive system has been tweaked to give the Macan a rearward power bias to make acceleration out of corners even more aggro! If you really want to go for the full sport system, you can opt for air suspension (with bespoke thicker sway bars) and Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus.
Inside you’ll find some luxury appointments mixed with a sportiness only found in the T. Standard heated 8-way adjustable sport seats look stellar in Sport-Tex Stripe pattern that is exclusive to the T. The seats and steering wheel are also trimmed in silver stitching to set the whole thing off. Speaking of the steering wheel, it’s a heated multifunction GT Sport unit with all the stuff you need to control the car without taking your hands off the action.
To differentiate a T from any other run of the mill Macan on the exterior, Porsche paints certain design elements in Agate Grey Metallic. The front grille trim, exterior mirrors, side blade elements, roof spoiler, and badges are all painted that way. Other trim, like the side window surrounds and the sport exhaust tips are painted gloss black. It’s a pretty slick look for the Macan T.
If you’re a German citizen you can already order the Macan T right now. Over in the old country it’s priced at €69,462 and should begin delivery around April. Here in the U.S. however, customers will have to wait a couple of months to even put their orders in the books, and pricing has not been announced. You can probably expect the Macan T to run around $60,000, as it’ll split the difference between the standard model at $54,900 and the Macan S at $65,400.