Age and experience

You may already have chanced across the review of the Bentley on the previous page and while that is a British plug-in electric limousine, and this a German, exclusively petrol-powered mid-sized SUV, the fact they contain the same internal combustion engine just shows how far component sharing extends across Volkswagen Group product these days. It works at least as well in this Porsche as that Bentley.

It is to be remembered that in this latest generation, the Macan S and GTS have both shifted up a grade, so they now sit in approximately the same space as the previous GTS and Turbo models respectively. The Turbo name is now being held in abeyance for the forthcoming, all new and all-electric Macan. Having driven the new Macan S, I wonder if you need the GTS, which is powered by the same engine with a different line of software instructing the turbos to blow a little harder so they can cut 0.3sec off the 0-62mph time. Problem is it costs over £11,000 more.
I found the S rapid enough while continuing to stand head, shoulders, knees and toes above every other class member. How Porsche has fashioned this level of poise from such a high, heavy and, let’s face it, old car amazes me. Whichever Macan you buy and despite all the years since it was launched, it remains now what it was then: the finest car of this kind that this kind of money can buy.

Porsche Macan S

“>Price £54,630
Engine 2.9 litres, six cylinders, turbocharged, petrol
Power 375bhp
Torque 383lb ft
Weight 1930kg
Power to weight 194bhp per tonne
Transmission Eight-speed double clutch, four-wheel drive
0-60mph 4.8sec
Top speed 161mph
CO2 251g/km
Economy 25.4mpg
Verdict King of the mid-sized SUVs