Dear REMGB, Sebis etc, apologies been out for a bit and quite rightly you need to know the important stuff. I have commented elsewhere, but specifically, coming from a Cayenne, the drive is night and day different.
In no particular order, the steering is quite heavy, but in a good way, not hugely feel-some, but direct and quick. The brakes too were much more sensitive than the Cayenne, very progressive and gave me lots of confidence and easier to modulate. Even without AS, but with PASM the handling is neutral and tucked into the corners with minimal roll. Bump absorption was good, but I have decided to upgrade to the AS as it both lowers the COG and just gives that extra polish to the ride.
Although I will miss the torque of the diesel, optioning SC, as on the test drive, will liven up the throttle response nicely, this is not a slow car however, so lets be realistic and say for day to day driving, you will not be disappointed by the performance, the noise maybe. Late speccers should go with the Sports Exhaust.
Visibility was fine, but I am sorry to report that I will not go with the 18way. The fact that so many feel the need to comment tells the reality, these are too tight, I don't know why. My wife is skin and bones and rides horses so knows a saddle, the Cayenne standard seats suit us both better and I am average height, weight too. The myriad adjustments are fine, but put anything more than a shirt on and you may struggle/ be forever tinkering depending on your clothes, unlike with the sports seats in the Cayman/ Boxster and 911, which are wider and flatter. This is an SUV, you do not need or want to be squeezed in. Alcanatara is nice and grippy, but you can't spec it with leather and additionally, as some of the plastics look and feel a bit brittle, I would recommend full leather as an expensive, but worthwhile option.
I have plenty of other thoughts on interior/ exterior options etc should anyone need to ask? My main thoughts/ changes post the road test though are paint the side blades and have the aluminium package.
Overall, the Mac is a physics defying drive and if you do not need the space of a Cayenne, but need more practicality than a 911, then this is the only game in town. I loved it, but you are paying a lot and there are plenty of fast, well made estates out there and lovely 18 month old GTS/ V8 Diesel Cayennes out there too. Residuals will be great, but don't go overboard on the options.
Regards to all, and just to provoke angst, I enjoyed driving my Cayenne home after the test drive. The Macan wants to be driven, the Cayenne goes with the flow, which in my case was a traffic jam on the M25, just saying!0
