The Macan is expected to become the best-selling model in the Porsche family.
The Porsche Macan will make its long-awaited world debut at the upcoming L.A. Auto Show, one of many global and North American product introductions the maker has scheduled for the annual event.
Set to become Porsche’s fifth product line, the Macan will target the compact crossover niche, one of the fastest-growing segments in both the U.S. and global automotive markets.
Named for an Indonesian tiger, the Macan is a downsized counterpart to the long-popular Porsche Cayenne and is based on the same platform as the Audi Q5. Porsche has promised it will “combine all sports car characteristics with the benefits of an SUV.”
The maker isn’t saying much about the new ute but it is expected to offer a number of variants – in typical Porsche fashion – and at least three different powerplants. That starts with a 3.0-liter V-6 that will be shared around the world. It is expected to turn out 290 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. A Cajun Turbo S is also reportedly coming, and will use twin turbos to bump hp to around 350. The third engine, a diesel, may also come to the States, according to various reports.
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The new offering will be produced at Porsche’s plant in Leipzig and the maker has already begun to prepare for the launch by investing 500 million Euros, or about $685 million in the plant – which already produces the Cayenne. About 1,000 new jobs are being added to handle production of the new Porsche Macan.
The sports carmaker recently completed its merger into the Volkswagen fold and it is clearly setting its own sights on big growth. In 2012 Porsche sold 143,096 vehicles worldwide. And it wants to pump that up to 200,000 by 2018. If the Macan order is any indication, it could get there sooner.
The Macan is expected to be a critical part of reaching that target and could account for as much as 40% of the maker’s total volume if it hits a target of as much as 75,000 vehicles annually.
Along with the Macan, Porsche will introduce the 911 Turbo Cabriolet and 911 Turbo S Cabriolets during this month’s Los Angeles Auto Show. The open-air models are able to launch from 0 to 60 in 3.3 and 3.1 seconds respectively, Porsche claims, with op track speeds of up to 195 mph.
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Regional debuts coming to the L.A. show include the Panamera Turbo S and Panamera Turbo S Executive models.
Porsche has traditionally made a big deal of the California show, and for good reason. It notes that not only is the U.S. the company’s biggest market but that the greater Los Angeles area accounts for more than one of every six Porsche vehicles sold in the States. The maker is hoping to grow demand even further with next year’s planned opening of its Porsche Experience Center Los Angeles, which will feature a test track and handling course for both owners and potential customers.
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