2016 Porsche Macan GTS first drive

The Porsche Macan GTS is, and we quote its maker, "the Macan for the driving enthusiast". Considering that even the S Diesel provides plenty of pace and enjoyment on a winding road, the GTS could be one of most enjoyable SUVs you can buy.

Like other GTS-badged models in the Porsche stable, it’s not the quickest model in the range – that’s still the Turbo’s job – but it does offer more shove than the S on which it’s based. How much? You get an extra 20bhp and 30Ib ft of torque thanks to a little bit more boost, a revised intake tract and a freer-flowing sports exhaust for the twin-turbocharged V6.

To help slow this near two-tonne SUV, you get the brakes from the Macan Turbo, while handling is improved with standard adaptive dampers including a 15mm ride height reduction. Alternatively, there’s an optional air-sprung set-up that was fitted to our test car.

Of course, there are also plenty of visual clues to show you've spent an extra £10k over a Macan S. These include GTS badging inside and out, gorgeous 20in wheels, black exterior accents and sports seats with Alcantara centres. Time to try it in the UK for the first time.

The Macan may share a platform with the Audi Q5, but it feels like a Porsche through and through from the moment you fire it up. Turbocharging may prevent the V6 from having a truly memorable howl, but the bassy throb at idle certainly sounds purposeful.

Slot the seven-speed dual-clutch ‘box into drive (no manual is offered), and the Macan pulls away smoothly, quickly shuffling to the highest possible ratio. With the V6 spinning slowly, you can’t help but notice how refined the GTS is; potentially a worry considering how focused it’s supposed to be.

Apart from very noticeable tyre roar on the kind of concrete surface that’s so common on the M25, there’s very little to offend your ears. The engine is subdued, wind noise kept to a minimum and there’s no suspension noise, either. Not only are the springy bits quiet, they offer excellent comfort, even over expansion joints and crumbling road surfaces.

After double-checking the bootlid to make sure we had been delivered a GTS, we started to push a little harder. A flex of your right ankle sees the gearbox drop multiple cogs and the engine pause for a moment before the scenery starts to get very blurry. Let’s just say we can happily believe the performance figures Porsche provided.

But, as mentioned, the GTS isn’t the performance figurehead of the range; more important is how it handles. At speed, you notice a bit of float through dips and crests, while throwing it around in Comfort mode shows up some body roll, but certainly not enough to cause any worry.

Thankfully, selecting Sport for the springs dials out the vast majority of the body float and reduces roll, too. Turn in is far crisper and you can feel the chassis working beneath you far more vividly. There is a Sport Plus mode that stiffens things even more should you feel the need.

What’s astonishing is that, unlike cars with other adaptive systems, the Macan remains comfortable even in its sportiest Sport Plus mode. Yes, you do feel a lot more of the road’s surface, but the stiffness of the spring is matched to a perfectly judged damping effect that ensures you’re not pogoing down the road.