► New 2021 Macan GTS driven
► End of an era for petrol
► Hugely competent
This model will be the last ICE-powered Macan. It may even shuffle off as soon as 2024. Sad, but not surprising, as there's an all-electric Macan en route in 2023.
Speaking of death, this GTS model also spells the end of the Macan Turbo. The big T has shuffled off to the Weissach retirement village, with the GTS filling in as the range-topper.
Macan nuts will know the Turbo was the fast but slightly squidgy one, while the GTS was the most hardcore.
This new-gen GTS makes the same power as the old Turbo. Plus it has air suspension as standard.
So you won't miss the Turbo then?
No, not really. The GTS is now such a capable thing that it covers both the GTS and Turbo off.
Honestly, it's pretty comfortable considering this is the fastest and sportiest of the Macan range.
The bells and whistles
The Macan has also had a mild facelift. The GTS has the most extreme version of it, with that huge black front mask. Comparisons between it and bog-standard Ford Sierras with black bumpers have been made.
Now there are just three versions of Macan. First up is the 2.0-litre 'we couldn't even be bothered to think of a name' Macan. Then there's the S, which is a 2.9-litre V6. Then there's this GTS, a 2.9-litre V6 with all the bells and turbo whistles.
This GTS makes 434bhp, some 58bhp more than the regular S. It's £7,000 more than the old GTS...but around £4,000 less than the old turbo. The 0-62mph time (4.3secs) is 0.2 seconds faster than the old turbo too.
What we're getting at is that the GTS on paper looks like a cheaper Turbo.
What's it like to drive?
Importantly, the GTS also receives the Turbo's air-suspension with adaptive dampers.
This matters. Flick the suspension button to normal (note how it's not called 'comfort) and it becomes competent at soaking up larger bumps and potholes, seemingly only being off put by loose gravel.
Sport and Sport Plus modes are firmer, but they're still pliant enough for British roads. I'd even say using Sport Plus on Blighty's thoroughfares is bearable, something that can't be said for other sports SUVs in their most obnoxious settings.
Road noise is pretty acceptable for a heavy and hard SUV, while the sports seats feel solid, like you're being embraced by a friendly prop forward.
Most importantly, it's devastatingly fast. The strong 0-62mph time is helped along by an intuitive, and quick to set-up launch control system. But the way it pulls itself out of corners is equally as impressive.
There's virtually no turbo lag and the seven-speed PDK responds quickly with or without manual assistance from the paddles. When you pull a paddle it reverts to manual mode, but then if you don't use it again it quickly defaults back to fully auto. Which is a shame.
Despite the epic power and weight (2,035kg unladen) the 21-inch Michelin Latitude Sport 3s seem faultless and steady, almost never wanting to relinquish grip.
The V6 is keen to rev sweetly to its redline, even though you don't strictly need to. Max power hits at 5,700rpm, but it's still enjoyable to venture past that.
Aurally it doesn't grip you. With the sports exhaust turned on there are some burbling theatrics, but it doesn't bellow like a V8.
The steering is masterful. Sharp, with natural feedback, easily hiding the car's weight.
The brakes initially feel soft. There's plenty of stopping power from the 6-piston callipers at the front, but it's lacking some immediate bite.
And the interior?
Porsche's traditional button-fest has gone. The centre-console is now touch sensitive, apart from the temperature controls, which all work reassuringly well. At first things might take a few prods but eventually it all falls into place.
The Race-Tex (or Alcantara to you and me) sports steering wheel is a delight. The right shape and weight and thickness for discerning car enthusiasts.
Rear seat space is enough for two adults. The middle seat is tiny and the transmission tunnel thick. So that's best avoided.
Boot space might not seem important on a car with torque vectoring but at 488 litres the GTS boot is enough for most situations and usefully wide and flat.
Verdict
The Macan range now makes a lot more sense. The GTS sits atop the table, containing the most horsepower and the most aggressive setup. It's even better value than the old Turbo.
Objectively it's a fast thing. But the AMG CL63 sounds like thunder and the Alfa Stelvio feels a bit more fun. But then again, the X3 M rides poorly and is very very expensive.
The Macan then is a brilliant, silly-fast, petrol SUV that isn't as obnoxious as some of its rivals. And for that, we'll miss it.
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