Currently reading: Macan name for Porsche's baby SUV
Porsche's rival to the Range Rover Evoque will be called the Macan and will arrive next year

Porsche’s rival to the Range Rover Evoque will be called the Porsche Macan and is due to arrive in 2013. Early reports had suggested the Stuttgart firm’s new vehicle would carry the Porsche Cajun monicker.

According to Porsche, the name Macan is derived from the Indonesian word for tiger. The Evoque-chasing Macan will be launched next year and will be based on the Audi Q5 SUV.

As well as a five-door Macan, shown in a rendering released by Porsche, Autocar understands that Porsche has already started work on a three-door coupé version.

The Macan coupé draws heavily on 911 design cues. Elements of the design are clearly influenced by the iconic 959 rally-raid racer, distinguished by its raised ride height, which will ensure that the three-door Macan is markedly different from its five-door sister car.

The Macan will also get a bespoke interior design to distinguish it from the Q5. Much of the interior — such as the instrument pack, climate controls and ancillary switchgear — is likely to be shared with the new-for-2012 Boxster.

Reports from Germany suggest that the Macan will get a range of Porsche-tweaked Audi engines, including four-cylinder and six-cylinder petrol and diesel units. The Macan will come with the sole option of Audi’s rear-biased permanent four-wheel drive system.

Autocar first uncovered plans for a Porsche compact SUV coupé as far back as early 2006. An inside source revealed that a full-sized clay model had been built for assessment in late 2005 and, at the Geneva show in February 2006, a senior Porsche boss confirmed to Autocar that the three-door SUV was under consideration.

It is thought that Porsche’s engineering arm completed the body engineering for the Q5 and had the option of building its own version of the model, but the project was canned. It’s not known why, but the arrival of the dramatically styled Evoque may well have contributed to the change of heart.

The Macan will be Porsche’s fifth model line, and is part of the company’s Strategy 2018 plan to expand its product range and move towards a 150,000 annual sales target.

The new car will start coming off the production lines at the Porsche factory in Leipzig, Saxony, in 2013. The site is currently being expanded into a fully fledged production plant including body assembly line and paint shop; with more than £400m of investment, it is one of the biggest building projects in the corporate history of Porsche. In the medium-term, the sports car manufacturer will be creating more than 1000 new jobs.

See all the latest Porsche reviews, news and video

Join the debate

Comments
32
Add a comment…
RPrior 12 January 2015

Not a good name - certainly for the digital media

As an example - Take the name that Porsche chose for their competitor in the mid size SUV market.

The Macan. Look it up on Google images and web and you will see only references to the Porsche Macan. The name itself is derived from an Indonesian Tiger. Now that is more suitable for Jaguar as a Big cat. The name "F-Pace", really does not roll off the tongue easily - Personally Iwould also choose the name of an Asian Wild Cat, given that Asia will possibly be the largest market for this Jaguar "cat".

Look up Manul on Google images! Now there is a wild cat!

xopher78 19 February 2012

Re: Macan name for Porsche's baby SUV

Los Angeles wrote:

Considering the notorious history of white settlers who "cleared" land of indigenous Plains tribes and farming nations it is probably wise of car companies to steer clear of any accusation of cultural cynicism, not that US car companies have clean hands: Pontiac, Winnibego, Mohawk, Tecumseh, Navajo, and Dakota cars are a few "borrowed" words given romantic association. Alabama, Texas, and Malibu are also Indian words. There is even a Chevy Malibu.

PS: Hillbillies - poor Irish hill settlers, followers of King William of Orange - "King Billy."

Are you a QI elf?<\p>

Lesia44 18 February 2012

Re: Macan name for Porsche's baby SUV

Los Angeles wrote:

Lesia44 wrote:
Three pages about a name? Seriously?
And humorously, and some not at all about the name more about the type of SUV it should be, plus four on the Evoque not on the Porsche.

The really interesting thing about the McWatsit has hardly been touched upon, and that is how quickly Porsche have reacted to the Evoque (assuming that is what they're doing, which seems likely). Not only does it show that large corporations can pul their finger out a lot more sharpish than most people believe they can, but it's also further vindication of the Evoque in the face of its detractors.