‘T’ normally comes after ‘S’ but in the case of the new Porsche Macan T, it is positioned between the Macan and Macan S. Rather than being a sequential designator, the ‘T’ refers to ‘Touring’ and until now, only the 911 and 718 have ever had ‘T’ version. It’s a designation that goes back to 1968 when a special version of the 911 had a more dynamic set-up and reduced weight.
In 2022, the Macan T is conceived with the same concept and is the first 4-door sportscar from the company with the designation. It’s also the only Porsche model to feature steel suspension with Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) as standard, combined with the body being lowered by 15 mm.
Further optimisation of chassis
The anti-roll bars on the front axle are more rigid and the car’s chassis tuning has been optimised to provide very responsive steering behaviour and agile handling. The Porsche Traction Management (PTM) has also been adapted to a more demanding driving style and has been specially designed with a rear-wheel bias.
Adding adaptive air suspension with PASM and lowering the body is also an option – a new feature for Macan models with 4-cylinder engines. Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus) can also be added and the system has been adapted to the dynamic characteristics of the T model and further sharpens the driving dynamics.
2-litre, 4-cylinder turbo engine
With the 2-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged engine (which you will also find in the latest VW Golf GTI), weight has been taken away and with 58.8 kgs less of it on the front axle, start-off performance and cornering ability are enhanced.
The lightweight engine has an output of 265 ps and a broad spread of 400 Nm of torque which flows through a fast-switching 7-speed dual clutch transmission (PDK) and the Porsche Traction Management (PTM) all-wheel drive system. When fitted with the standard Sport Chrono Package including the mode switch and Sport Response button on the steering wheel, the Macan T is said to be able to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 232 km/h.
Differentiating colour scheme
Besides a range of 13 plain, metallic and special colours for the exterior, the Macan T is identifiable by design elements painted in Agate Grey Metallic on the front, flank and rear. The exclusive contrast colour can be seen on the painted front trim, exterior mirrors, side blades, roof spoiler and logos on the rear. Sports tailpipes and side window trims in Black (high gloss) are included as standard and the side blades feature the ‘Macan T’ logo in Black. The 20-inch Macan S wheels are finished exclusively in dark titanium.
The interior of the Macan T comes with standard, 8-way electrically adjustable heated sports seats upholstered with an exclusive Black leather package. The centres of the front seats and the outer rear seats are delivered with the Sport-Tex Stripe pattern and the front headrests each have an embossed Porsche crest. The contrasting colour from the exterior continues inside the vehicle in the form of decorative silver stitching on the seats, headrests and steering wheel.
Standard equipment also includes a multifunction GT heated sports steering wheel and the Sport Chrono stopwatch in the upper part of the dashboard. The door entry guards come in black aluminium as standard and feature a Macan T logo.
Pricing has not been announced but authorized Porsche showrooms in Malaysia are accepting pre-orders if you want to be among the first in the country to own this new version of the best-selling Porsche model line in 2021.
Keyword: New Porsche Macan T – lightened and tuned for sharper handling