To many Porsche purists, the GTS badge represents the top of efficiency. It’s by no means reserved for probably the most banzai vehicles (Turbo or GT does that) nevertheless it fine-tunes the expertise to make it probably the most focussed and, dare we are saying it, ‘Porsche-like’ of the vary.
Early Carrera GTS fashions have been a testomony to this, together with the 911, 924 and 928, whereas more moderen iterations of the Boxster and 911 GTS have been standalone vehicles in their very own proper, with distinctive engine set-ups designed to offer them a personality like no different.
This brings us neatly onto the newest Macan GTS, which I lately took for a test-drive. Whereas it doable to argue till dawn in regards to the legitimacy of electrified SUVs sporting Turbo and GTS badges within the first place, it’s the most “dynamic” and “emotional” Macan mannequin within the vary, in response to its maker.
There’s additionally the identical 95kWh battery pack that’s good for 362 miles of vary, whereas drivers get the identical 800V electrical structure that’s discovered on the upcoming Cayenne and Taycan – one that’s able to brimming batteries from 10 to 80 per cent in as little as 21 minutes
So why spend £97,500 (round $133,000 / AU$187,000) on the Turbo when the £89,000 (round $133,000 / AU$170,000) GTS will do a lot of the identical factor after which some This was precisely the query I used to be left mulling after driving the brand new automobile in France lately.
Specs attraction
Whereas the Macan GTS doesn’t precisely get a totally bespoke checklist of further niceties, it does get arguably one of the best number of specs that Porsche gives.
There’s the choice of the unmistakable Carmine Purple paints for a begin, flared wheel arches, bespoke aspect skirts, 22-inch RS Spyder wheels and tinted LED taillights. The inside packs blacked-out Race-Tex parts, whereas all vehicles obtain Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus), air suspension and the marque’s wonderful suspension administration. There’s additionally rear-wheel steering.
This feels just like the Macan to have if driving dynamics are nonetheless vital to you.
Granted, many of those choices might be ticked when specifying lesser Macans, such because the 4S mannequin, however Porsche has accomplished all the laborious be just right for you right here and tuned it with these methods in thoughts.
The result’s a 2,395kg electrical SUV that handles and behaves like a a lot lighter sports activities automobile. Acceleration is understandably brisk, however not offensively so, whereas the steering is direct and gives loads of suggestions.
Hurling this monster by means of a few of the tight mountain roads exterior Good was made all the better by rear-wheel steering, which magically disguises the scale, and the large brakes effortlessly scrub off pace. It’s doable to cowl floor in a short time on this automobile.
Cleverly, Porsche has additionally designed some signature synthesized engine notes for the GTS, which adjustments its tone relying on the mode. In Regular, it’s switched off for a extra relaxed really feel, however Sport introduces some thrum, whereas Sport Plus brings in a bassy burble that will get louder because the revs pile on.
Though not fairly the Jekyll & Hyde distinction that’s skilled when biking by means of the assorted modes within the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, it does an impressive job of fully altering the Macan’s traits.
A parking professional
Porsche is introducing quite a lot of technological firsts on this GTS mannequin, together with the flexibility to now pair Bluetooth equipment to the assorted digital shows contained in the automobile.
That is significantly vital for those who specify the optionally available 10.9-inch passenger show, which might now be mixed with a PlayStation or Xbox controller to benefit from blockbuster video games, similar to Asphalt 9.
Hurling this monster by means of a few of the tight mountain roads exterior Good was made all the better by rear-wheel steering.
There may be additionally a plethora of recent parking know-how, which is able to hunt out an applicable house after which parks up routinely. It may also be ‘educated’ to execute difficult maneuvers. As soon as programmed, the car will acknowledge the environment and supply to take over driving duties subsequent time.
Equally, there’s additionally a brand new reversing assistant that logs the final 50m of any journey and can then autonomously reverse that route. It’s a comparable system to that first debuted by BMW, nevertheless it makes navigating tight European roads a doddle. All you need to do is canopy the brakes.
Whereas these elements are seemingly on the backside of a wishlist when buying a efficiency Porsche, it’s additional proof of the Macan’s immense bandwidth. This can be a automobile that may be abused round a race observe, taken off-road after which remote-parked within the parking zone later that day.
A candy spot
The Porsche Macan GTS doesn’t precisely symbolize a incredible saving over its Turbo counterpart (£8,500 /$11,500 / AU$16,000, should you’d prefer to know), however these numbers really feel appreciable if you understand the extra horsepower provided by the range-topper isn’t actually missed right here.
As an alternative, Porsche engineers have managed to create a type of Goldilocks mannequin from the seemingly countless trim and specification choices that the model gives, one which rides fantastically, delivers loads of dynamism on the proper roads, persistently performs on the race circuit after which settles again right into a quiet and comfy cruiser on the weekends.
This Macan seemingly gained’t go down in Porsche historical past as probably the most iconic GTS fashions ever made, nevertheless it applies the model’s race-derived knowhow to its electrical vary with tangible outcomes.
Immensely enjoyable on any street however nonetheless in a position to do the EV stuff with ease, this feels just like the Macan to have if driving dynamics are nonetheless vital to you.
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