New Porsche “Macan” mini-SUV

So, let’s deal with the name fist of all. According to Porsche, the name Macan is derived from the Indonesian word for tiger and combines suppleness, power, fascination and dynamics – core characteristics of this new all-terrain car.

Fair enough, especially when you put Macan next to some other initially eyebrow-raising Porsche model titles, like Cayman, for example, which is “snappy and agile,” according to the German go-faster specialists. I guess we’ll get used to it...

“The Macan combines all sports car characteristics with the benefits of an SUV and is a genuine Porsche”, says Bernhard Maier, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing of Porsche AG.

“The name of a new Porsche has to fit with the brand, sound good in very many languages and dialects and evoke positive associations.” Hmmm, there’s that word “evoke” again.

Onto the new car. Well, it’s due to hit the shelves in 2013 and will be built at the Porsche factory in Leipzig, Saxony; a site which is currently being expanded into a fully-fledged production plant including body assembly line and paint shop, with a £400-million investment. This is one of the biggest building projects in Porsche’s corporate history and, in the medium-term, the firm plan to create more than 1,000 new jobs there.

The Macan will be based on the Audi Q5 with Audi engines and four-wheel drive but, as we can see from this sultry sketch; she’ll be all-Porsche-911-esque with flowing curves, short overhangs nudging big wheels, and a downright dynamic low roofline. Much like the Range Rover Evoque, but with curves instead of angles.

Looking great, sketch-wise, and if the Macan translates from paper to metal with all the wow-factor of the Evoque, we’ve all just witnessed the sketch-based-birth of another cracking-looking car, right here on TotallyMotor.

www.porsche.com/uk


By Daniel Anslow

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