Page 17 - Fall-Winter Magazine_LOW (1)

A Porsche by

any

other

name

AS ANY PURIST WILL POINT out (often unprompted), the Macan
is a result of Porsche’s attempt to widen its customer base.
However, rather than simply build another option for those
with more practical concerns than the typical 911 buyer,
Porsche has attacked the crossover segment in a way only they
can. Loyal Cayman, Boxster, and yes, 911 owners will be happy
to learn that the 2020 Macan S—while not a sports car—is
decidedly a Porsche.

The lineage is apparent from the moment you enter the
cockpit. Drivers do in fact sit “in” the seat rather than on it.
The dashboard and center console take up the bottom half of
view, while the hood line disappears dramatically beyond the
windshield, mimicking the 911. Thanks to its raised ride height,
the Macan’s driving position offers a commanding road view,
and feels more akin to a lifted sports sedan than a crossover.

The 11.0-inch infotainment screen falls just this side of
obtrusive, and is easy to see and use. Between the touchscreen
and accompanying buttons below it, operation can quickly
be mastered. The rear seats are suitable for growing children
through more than twice the length of the standard 4-year
warranty. While not as roomy as the larger Cayenne, the
Macan still proves a better choice than a 911 for those with
adolescents.

Push the ignition button and decades of sports car heritage
make themselves known. The ever-present hum from the
engine, particularly at highway speeds, will translate as either
unsettling or comforting—depending on the driver’s penchant
for the brand’s history. Continued on page 19.

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