I will be honest, I love to drive four by fours, my present car is a Skoda Yeti and is superb, but to warrant an additional mid-sized four by four launch in to the market, I suppose it had to be something like the Macan.
The new Porsche Macan is based on the Audi Q5 chassis, as is its stable mate the VW Tiguan. With Land Rover pushing the boundaries of what we expect a modern 4wd drive train to be capable of in the new Range Rover sport, this is the first chance that Porsche have had to let their technology department loose on a 4×4 since the ageing Cayenne launch. Bear in mind though, that Porsche started four-wheel drive via electronic clutches with the incredible 959 as long ago as 1986 and have always kept up their involvement 
with the 911 based units. Whilst most, in fact nearly all, 4wd cars are based on the Haldex drive system which uses a series of clutches to allocate drive to the slowest wheel, therefore to the wheel with the most grip, Subaru and Kia/Hyundai use different systems. The Porsche system is a new hybrid of their own and the Haldex
with the 911 based units. Whilst most, in fact nearly all, 4wd cars are based on the Haldex drive system which uses a series of clutches to allocate drive to the slowest wheel, therefore to the wheel with the most grip, Subaru and Kia/Hyundai use different systems. The Porsche system is a new hybrid of their own and the Haldex Land Rover have used visual cameras, temperature sensors and humidity sensors to build a picture of the ground underneath the Range Rover sport, this takes away the requirement to choose the kind of ground you are driving on and sets up the drive settings, diff sensitivities and throttle settings. The option that Porsche have chosen is to use the sensitivity of the ABS and ESR systems to compare the rotation of the wheels, based on the Haldex system, a proven and reliable system used on many thousands of cars a year from the XC Volvo’s, Skoda Yeti, Ford Kuga, the Evoque and many others
In the new Macan’s case, Porsche say that they have replaced over 70% of the standard drive train and explain that the standard systems are suitable for engines ranging from 255 to 395 bhp. Porsche has worked with the control systems for allocation of drive and claim to have reduced the reaction time of the Haldex 5 system from an already impressive 7th of a wheel revolution
No one will be upset with the Macan design, it is very Audi Q5 at first glance, the more you look the more changes that you find. Inside, its pure Porsche, fabulous quality and built to last. This a hard working company car through and through and I am sure it will hit its target audience of site visiting architects and wealthy vets with a bull’s eye. Typically bullet proof, the new Macan will be a really popular high mileage leasing choice once supply issues have washed through.
Porsche engines are among the very best, the smallest diesel is still capable of a sub 7 second 0-60 mph and the 3.6 litre turbo does it in 4.5 seconds, with massive torque and fantastic grip. All the time, the chassis keeps you in control and is head and shoulders above any rival. It drives like a rear wheel drive car with superb poise at any moment, the front drive just cuts in to pull it round tight corners, otherwise you won’t notice it
If you want one, you will have time to save with orders now being taken for mid 2015 and everything in between being sold. This is the best car we have tried in 2014
