Well stated review. I'm still in the small camp that the PP is the Turbo S until the mid-cycle refresh brings us a Turbo S that's branded as a Turbo S.

 

I'm waiting for the next generation Macan that should come out in less than a year and a half ?

 

The Turbo PP looks like a tempting proposition to me. But as you say, with a new GTS in my hands and the anticipation that a Turbo S may be on the cards by the time the lease on my current GTS comes to an end, I think it's better to wait and see - and enjoy the GTS permagrin in the meantime.

 

Porsche has the option and model release game down to a tee. Squeeze a few extra grand out of the faitful with only high end versions of new models at launch, charge a premium for options that merely require software to activate, release "special" versions 1 to 2 years after launch to get the faitful to buy another one, and then repeat in a couple years with a major model refresh. If the cars weren't so good they couldn't get away with it. Pays to be on top of your game.

 

An abbreviated model year followed by the launch of a Turbo S and a refresh would be tough to digest .

I would not plan on anything. I have no specific info but I suspect changes are coming. Remember, they want to sell cars and Turbo PP cars don't sell in the same numbers.

If they sell 90,000 Macans in 2016, very few will be PP cars, tiny amounts. Base Macans are now the biggest seller (from my information) followed by S cars. Turbos are a tiny fraction and PP? who knows. With a face lift coming, I wouldn't expect a Turbo S. There is no need for it yet.

You know hybrids are EV cars are coming. They already exist for the Cayenne and Panny. The Macan, as a SUV, is next, followed by the sports cars in the next generation. You are using the "sports car" model which is not the SUV model. These are totally different models for selling cars. Mom and Pop don't care about more power. They want cheaper transportation. The cars are fast enough as it is. Think hybrid. This is coming as a matter of time.

 

You know hybrids are EV cars are coming. They already exist for the Cayenne and Panny. The Macan, as a SUV, is next, followed by the sports cars in the next generation. You are using the "sports car" model which is not the SUV model. These are totally different models for selling cars. Mom and Pop don't care about more power. They want cheaper transportation. The cars are fast enough as it is. Think hybrid. This is coming as a matter of time.

I think the hybrids and EV cars need to be looked at separately from gasoline engine as well as each other . I think of them as great cars but a different driving mindset . The same is the case for self driving cars because human drivers are viewed as "too dangerous" to drive themselves by advocates.

I do think at one point electric will be the main form of transportation but I am still enjoying the cars we have while they last.

 

I expect a Base Macan Black Edition for MY18. :laugh:

 

Now that's funny!

 

Even though Porsche releases their next year Macan models early at least they pretty much look the same on the outside except for a few little tweaks. Unless you have a sign handing on the outside with your MY only the owner knows the year for sure. Keep it maintained in pristine condition and all non-Porsche owners and even a few Porsche owners will think its new anyway. Maybe the Turbo PP model being built starting in January 2017 will be an 2018 model even though my build sheet has MY 2017...only Porsche knows for sure. Even if they do release the MY 2018 a couple of months after I receive my new model I plan to keep it long term so maybe by then a RS model will be coming out. Now that will be one amazing vehicle and worth a look!

 

Here's the snags as i see them :

1) The model year designation is very important . Think back to 2015 with the Macan . There was a fairly lengthy period where the 16 cars were released early but owners were still taking deliveries of their 2015 ordered cars . this overlap makes a huge difference . An identical 15 car is worth at least 5 grand less if bought at the same time (maybe even 8-10K) . Now we often split hairs on option cost but this is huge in comparison .

2) I recall that the Panamera released a powerkit for the Turbo and then the very next year released a Turbo S . those powerkit cars got creamed by the model designation .


Lastly -- the car itself is not the issue . it's the timing of the car (thread topic) and what might be in the near future for the Macan that becomes the issue. And finally if they do designate the new car as a 2018 model it would be a good move . as it is though it creamed the 17 current Turbo . Timing really plays a role.

 

I recently spoke to a US Porsche executive at the Los Angeles Auto show. He opened up by telling me there was a huge debate about calling the new car the PP versus the S. According to him the decision was predicated on the time it would have taken to get a so called new model through all the international regulatory agencies. He claimed US senior management where not happy with the decision not to called it an S.

 

The internal conflicts of management might be interesting to sip coffee to but the one picking up the tab is the guy who buys the car . I have not one shred of doubt about the car itself . On the other hand the late launch and status of the current Turbo have been cast into used pricing as well as competitive performance limbo .

I have noticed that most of the lot cars are 90K and below with the 17 Turbo and there was a period where they were scarce . The excuse was "there are so many 2016 cars on the lot" when dealerships were caught off guard by the early release of the 17 cars . Any unsold high spec 17 Turbo is in deep manure of finding a home without a HUGE discount given the upgrades of the PP+ .

Porsche could have called it a PP and still made it a Turbo S but they didn't . Notice that ceramics are not standard in the package. Notice that there are no exclusive wheels with it either . Porsche did make an amazing car .. they just left a bunch of loose ends with it and at 100K with options it ought to have it all. It especially ought to come with a statement from Porsche about it remaining the flagship designee and with a clearly assigned model year .

Yet notice .. we are all left guessing .

 

I have a Turbo PP on order, it is scheduled to build the end of Dec now, have wondered about the short model year. I don't expect to see my vehicle before March 2017.

Sure would be nice to hear of a review of the Turbo PP soon, I would think they would build a couple and let the media take a spin in them before too long....

 

There will not be a separate media launch for the Macan PP since it is just a performance pack. From a review point of view there will not be much news to add. It will drive like a Macan GTS with +80hp. Same chassis, same PSE, same Sport Chrono, bit better feeling brakes with the bigger discs but same everythinge else. Still a great car though and absolutely the perfect mix to take the dynamics from GTS, power/torque potential from 3.6l engine and the nicer and more modern looking front-end from the Turbo.

I don't understand why Porsche released the PP separated from the Turbo. It should have been just an additional option for the normal Turbo. For the 991.2 Carrera S/4S models they recently announed a Performance Pack (+30hp, SC, PSE) and this is just an option for the Carrera. The 991.2 GTS that will be announced in January will get this powerpack as standard and all the extra aesthtetic GTS trim with black trim etc.

The last cream from the 95B-plaftorm will probably be squeezed with the Turbo S tba early summer 2017 according to rumours (450hp, new 21" wheels, new special interior colors and trim, ptv+ standard and a few more things). Also maybe some Platinum edition at the end of the lifecycle based on the "S" later this year before it's time to focus on the next gen.

Looking forward to get more info about upcoming Macan release and what that has on offer!

 

I don't understand why Porsche released the PP separated from the Turbo. It should have been just an additional option for the normal Turbo.

I wonder if they might offer a retrofit .

 

The Alfa Romeo Stelvio is headed our way. Supposedly, it will have a Ferrari sourced engine with 550HP. From the short time I've been here, I already know some are going to say it is not a competitor. You are welcome to your opinion. I think Porsche will have to address the situation. They have been king of the hill in this segment for a few years and if you sit on your arse long enough the others will over take you. So the PP is probably not too late. But again, maybe it is too late. It will be beaten in power by 100HP.

 

I don't worry that HP alone will cause a most/many to go somewhere else.

For me anyway--it takes Quality, Reliability, Service and Service Availability, Fit and Finish, Function, Aesthetics, and even a bit of Desirability.


If I am not mistaken, Cobb can add a bunch of HP to our Macans for a $1,000 or so.

 

I don't know the answer the question originally posted, but my T+PP is on order and scheduled for arrival on April 7. That is a little later than I'd like but it will still be a good party when it arrives.

 

I have my new T-PP coming in February as well. Built a pretty loaded car at around $120k and am very excited to see her. As far as the Alpha, things have changed over the years and time will tell if they have reliability issues. All I can say is when I visited the Ferrari factory in September, there where more Alpha Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio's in the employee parking lot than any other car. Time will tell.

 

Having heard the Alpha Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio go by me on a test track, I can tell you that it sounded incredible. I don't know what the redline is on that engine, but he had to be in the high 7s.

Will be curious to see how their SUV performs with it, but don't think I will have any regrets with my Turbo PP due mid March.

 

Alfa, not Alpha folks. Really.

 

I guess you mean, peeps gotta learn the "Alpha Beta Charlies " of car names


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I don't know that it's late to the party so much as there is the lack of clarity regarding the Turbo S designation. I think the segmentation makes sense. You need that slot above the Turbo that combines the GTS suspension with the Turbo. The PP does it, it fills the slot, but is it the top dog? I think that question hurts it.

 

Not sure how/why this thread got sidetracked to Alfas, but back to the topic:
I think the Turbo with Performance Package hits a sweet spot. They couldn't in good conscience call it a Turbo S without PCCB and another $8k. Under the hood, Porsche calls it "Exclusive Powerkit".
I like it just the way it is, and have started to look for one. 3.9s 0-60 mph is very impressive. I also like the bigger than Turbo steel brakes, but was surprised to see those slotted front rotors. I don't recall Porsche using many slotted steel rotors. It's nice the also lowered it. I would probably want it lower yet via the PIWIS software change. The PP looks like a great buy compared to what the Cayenne offer, and the Macan fits in my small garage better too. I prefer the PDK and the way my Macan Turbo drove vis a vis my earlier-owned Cayenne GTS. Now if I could just find a PP with my preferred options, or an order slot...

 

Just in time PP



I agree with all this except that mine has every available option I wanted, and is lowered a further 40mm for handling and looks. Porsche are likely to introduce their 2.9 ltr donk before going electric too, so I'm very glad indeed to have this rare and rapid model. >

The PP is so rare that nobody has managed to publish anything more than driving impressions to date, and most of those are in the snow.

 

I have driven a Turbo PP around the PEC.

I was driving it as hard as I could only last Monday on a range day.

The handling is impecable for a two tonne suv, much more precise with far less body roll than a standard Turbo. The GTS suspension that is used is much superior to the suspension setup used on other Macans.

The engine is even more responsive with instant pick up and strong drive out of corners, whilst only 40 horses more than standard the PP feels as though it has more.

 

I do feel the Turbo PP is the ideal Macan at the time . A GTS suspension with more Hp is very appealing . It still will be heavy and cant escape being an SUV .
Porsche overall has done a great job with the Macan but two tons with 4 doors raised high in the air is an unusual recipe for performance.

 

It may not be a "sports car" but it sure is king of the CUVs.

 

Macan turbo with PP impressions

I took delivery of my new macan 3 weeks ago and honestly couldn't be happier. I've had 3 Cayenne turbos all fairly loaded and also had a new Pana GTS. The ride comfort combined with insane handling was best in the Pana GTS and this new macan turbo pp is very close to this feel. The overall ergonomics inside are great and I got the 18 way seats coupled with the interior turbo package with alcantera. I have most options other than ceramic brakes. The standard brakes are awesome. I feel the air suspension is great and definitely feel differences between comfort and sport. I drive in sport mode most often and find it practical fun performance but not over the top for every day driving. The acceleration is just insane onto highways. Most enjoyable is having the smoothness of the PDK in this SUV. The look and stance of the GTS but with the very significant bump in power is great. I most recently was driving a audi sq5 and have to say there is no comparison. I even drove a brand New sq5 as a loaner and again no comparison to the macan fit and finish. I'm a huge audi fan too as we have a newer q7 and another q5 2.0.

I live in Boston area so need my snows and rumor has it my 19" Hartman wheels with ET 25 may fit on this macan??

 

Four days and counting:laugh:

The Porsche Code*

 

I think PORSCHE will ditch the V6 powered Macan S and replace that one with a 350 BHP 4 Cylinder 2.0 Turbo.
PORSCHE needs to reduce their environmental negative impact and it make sense to downsize to economic and eco friendly engines.
Top of the line with 1/5 th of the sales could very well be a Twin Turbo V6 or a TWIN engine (2.0l Turbo) with a 200 bhp electric engine. Pushing the Macan well over 550 BHP combined.

 

Haven't you heard? Downsizing is becoming old news. Don't get me wrong, it works well for meeting the EU drive cycles like NEDC. With WLTC + RDE (real driving emissions) being implemented in Europe, the downsized turbos don't look so good anymore. I think it's generally acknowledged that the real world fuel economy for the downsized engines is nowhere near that achieved during the certification cycle. In the US, there is a similar issue. The FTP cycles are more aggressive than the NEDC, but not quite as much as the WLTC so the fuel economy disparity is not quite as huge. Both the EPA and CARB are well aware that real world driving and the test cycles do not match and are both looking at how to close the gap.

The real target is to provide peak torque when needed and have an efficient, nominal torque for normal driving & certification. Electrification seems to be the popular answer to this. The next 5 years will see dramatic changes in powertrain or "propulsion" systems in vehicles with a huge mix of electrification options and some new combustion technologies.

 

Got the COBB on my GTS, love it, I'm at 400 HP / 480 torque roughly (360 and 369 stock)
Holding out to see if the PP+ is it or if it will come out as an S
Then.....when COBB Designs an Access port for the Macan Turbo S - 500 HP and under 4 secs?

 

The Turbo with the Cobb already does 0-60 in less than 4 sec

 

Is your Cobb tune now working satisfactorily ? Your getting sub 4 second 0-60 is better than Performance Pkg.

 

Well of course a Cobb tuned Turbo is faster than a PP. It makes more HP and a ton more torque. I went with a Turbo over a PP for exactly this reason.