This Tiger Coming from Leipzig

Now the SUV premium class is becoming world trend, where many of the car manufacturers competing to make this type of vehicle. And now Porsche's turn to try their luck with making Macan SUV. The name Macan is derived from the Indonesian word for tiger.

Artist's sketch of Porsche Macan. (Picture from: http://pursuitist.com/)

Slated to be announced at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, the Macan will mark the entry of Porsche into the premium crossover segment that is dominated by cars such as the Range Rover Evoque.

Porsche sports car manufacturer plans to modify the exterior design of Macan SUV that inspired by Range Rover Evoque and they have tested the Macan SUV on the road while still using camouflage body. But the model would have the different design when launched later.

The automobile manufacturer based in Germany was admitted to the Range Rover Evoque adopts in the exterior design of the Macan SUV but did not say which elements that have been adopted.

The 2014 Porsche Macan. (Picture from: http://www.motorweek.org/)

Porsche has confirmed that the Macan will be based on the Audi Q5, but will have a completely different dynamic proposition from the Q5. In other words, it’ll be different despite the same platform. According to R&D Chief, Wolfgang Hatz, everything has been modified in this vehicle, ranging from engines, to transmission, to suspension systems. "It’s all new and Audi can’t believe what we’ve done."

The 2014 Porsche Macan Interior view. (Picture from: http://www.otonewcars.com/)

Hatz also claims that Audi shouldn’t fear the Macan disturbing the sales of the Audi Q5, which have been great. He says that the Macan is targeting a different type of customer; more like the young and rich folks that also drive the Evoque’s growth.

The 2014 Porsche Macan Dashboard View. (Picture from: http://www.otonewcars.com/)

Engine options could range from the turbocharged 2.0 liter four-cylinder unit with 220 HP, the 3.6 liter V6 naturally aspirated with 296 HP or the 3.0 liter twin-turbo V6 with 370 HP which will be known as the Macan Turbo. Diesel options will include a 2.0 liter TDI engine producing 190 HP and a larger 3.0 liter V6 TDI with 250 HP. A hybrid powertrain is also expected to make its way into the Porsche Macan, most likely sourced from the Audi Q5 Hybrid. Transmissions could be a seven-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch PDK.

Rear View of the 2014 Porsche Macan. (Picture from: http://www.auto-types.com/)

The Macan will enter production at Porsche’s Leipzig plant in Germany next year after the Germans will invest over U.S. $662 thousand (or approx Rp. 6.355 billion) in the facility as quoted from Inautonews on Thursday (13/12) and it’s expected to hit the market in 2013 as a 2014 model year. *** [PORSCHE | INAUTONEWS | EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES]

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