The difference between buying a car and buying a Porsche is; well! you buy a Porsche. You don’t just pay for the four wheels and everything that comes on top of it, but also the engineering prowess, rich legacy, brand, heritage and eventually the snob value that comes along with it. However, while some manufacturers may succumb to changing markets conditions, it is the exotic makers that get the chance to take pride and sell what they are known to make. However, Porsche has chosen to steer away from the brand’s belief with 6-cylinders and has introduced the new Macan SUV with a new 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine.
This is Porsche’s second iteration of introducing a 4-cylinder in its model lineup. The last time was in the 1990s on the 968. The move does not come as a surprise though, as the brand was in the process of introducing one by the end of this year. The new 4-cylinder engine makes its way under the hood of the base model of the Macan for the Asian markets which include Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Sri Lanka, China, Hong Kong and Japan.
Should Porsche aficionado’s call it blasphemy? We don’t think so. The new 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder turbocharged engine produces a healthy 234 HP of power at 5000-6800 RPM and 350 Nm of torque at 1500-4500 RPM, paired to Porsche’s dual-clutch PDK automatic transmission along with all-wheel drive offered as standard. 0-100 km/hr comes in 6.9 seconds, while the top speed is limited to 223 km/hr. The smaller engine is frugal as well with a claimed fuel efficiency of around 11 km/l.
As opposed to the 2.0-litre engine seen on the Boxer, the new engine appears to come from the Audi family and is similar to the one seen on the Q5, the same platform underpins the Macan SUV. The base variant for the Macan has been priced at Rs. 49.50 lakhs in Singapore. Porsche also retails the Macan S and Turbo versions in the country. The 4-cylinder base model has been priced more competitively and will help the German car maker sell more volumes globally, and is the right time to cash in on the growing love for SUVs.
