[Aika Car Test Drive Original]
Since the beginning of the 21st century, Porsche has done two great things. The first is to deeply cultivate sports car products and build 911 into a brand totem; the second is to broaden the product matrix and harvest banknotes with SUV models. The two complement each other, are mutually causal, making Porsche more powerful than ever. Without the backing of an SUV, I am afraid that Porsche can achieve what it is today, I am afraid it will be a question mark. As the youngest cash cow in Zuffenhausen, macan quickly became the most popular "bozi" in China. Eager to take your Porsche home? Today, aspirations are easier to fulfill than ever.
Entering the eighth year of its life cycle, Macan was more or less tired. Cash cow, it's time for new shoots. What lies ahead of Porsche are two paths: one is to make great strides toward electrification and quickly get rid of the internal combustion engine; the other is to maintain the existing disk and gradually seek transformation.
The years are not spared, and Porsche does not want to spare the years. At the Volkswagen Group level, the electrification strategy is irreversible, but Porsche has its own rhythm. The head of Zuffenhausen knows why consumers choose Porsche. To this end, they have gone to great lengths to secure sufficient time and resources for Macan. In 2023, after the advent of the pure electric Macan based on the PPE platform, the fuel version of the Macan will still be sold in parallel.
Either don't do it, do it well. Since The Macan has been associated with gasoline for a few more years, internal combustion engine iterations are indispensable. Taking advantage of the mid-term revamp, the new Macan has fully upgraded its powertrain. Specifically, the Macan S was upgraded from the EA839 3.0T to the more powerful EA839 2.9T, narrowing the distance with the upstream model; the Macan GTS is still equipped with a 2.9T engine, the peak output is slightly improved, and the book parameters are close to the Audi RS 4/RS 5.
More importantly, the main sales model has also been greatly improved. The new Macan Basic edition is equipped with the EA888 Evo4 engine, which is not only the first time Porsche has crammed the new generation of 2.0T into the cabin, but also the Chinese debut of the 195kW Evo4. Compared with the previous Gen.3, Evo4 has improved in terms of power, responsiveness and economy. As for the GPF that has been referred to in a thousand ways, the new model has also done a good job. The EA888 Evo4 stitches GPF with a three-way catalytic converter to form a tightly coupled design that filters particles more thoroughly and is more reliable for long-term use.
Looking down at the electronic barrier, there is no PDK logo? Yes, the Macan is the only Porsche dual-clutch model that doesn't have the "PDK" printed on the gear bar. On top of the new Macan, the drivetrain is still the familiar 7-stop wet dual-clutch transmission, code-named DL501-7A. Some people say that the DL501 series originated from Audi, and the pedigree is not pure enough. That's true, but the DL501-7A is currently only available to the Macan, and no other models are available.
"It's different!" I thought to myself. Before it left the pit lane, the new Macan 2.0T came with a surprise. Lightly press the accelerator to start, the power response is fast and smooth. As the right foot applies pressure, the wheel slowly rolls up, and the expected lazy appearance does not appear. The clutch combination is extremely smooth, and the gearbox jitter is so that the body feels imperceptible, which adds a lot of points to the driving quality. If I hadn't known in advance, I might have mistakenly thought that the Macan was equipped with an AT gearbox.
At the moment of oil collection, the torque will be cut off immediately, and there is no rev-hang phenomenon of procrastination. The new 2.0T+7DCT powertrain is responsive, but only if the car is equipped with a Sport Chrono and the driving mode is adjusted to sport plus. Abandoning the Sport Chrono component ($12,300) is equivalent to erasing half of the EA888 Evo4's exploits. Prospective owners, open the list of options, tick the Sport Chrono, and don't hesitate.
After all, the EA888 Evo4 is just a 2.0T four-cylinder engine, and absolute power cannot be expected much. According to official data, macan basic version of 0-100km/h acceleration time is 6.4 seconds. With the optional Sport Chrono assembly, the acceleration time from 0 to 100 km/h can be reduced to 6.2 seconds. In addition, due to the wind resistance coefficient (0.35) and the crash area (2.61 square meters), the maximum speed "only" reached 232km/h, which is much worse than the car of the same power level.
When built the internal combustion engine with my heart, as a BMW owner, I actually had a sour feeling. Even if the EA888 Evo4 is just a four-cylinder engine, even if it has no emotion to speak of, driving enthusiasts will still moisten their eyes for the agility to respond. For some moments, the Macan 2.0T's Lisojin is reminiscent of an electric car. And I have already begun to reverie: when the EA888 Evo4 and B48 are PK head-on, what will be the result? Oh, and don't forget to pack the Sport Chrono.
Power | EA888 Evo4 debut
Whenever the Porsche Macan is talked about, there are always voices questioning its origins. Indeed, the MLB platform originated from Audi and lacked exclusivity, so it had no connection with the so-called "pure blood". If it is on paper, Macan may not be able to take advantage of anything, and confirm the above accusations. But in fact, the driving experience of the same platform model can be completely different. Drive the Macan for a few minutes and you'll understand the value of Porsche.
SUV drives like a sports car? Today, more and more sports cars are beginning to take care of both ends, and the personality has become more and more three-dimensional. Whether it is a "wild bull" or a "Prancing Horse", it no longer deliberately creates a sense of heaviness, but embodies refinement in movement. What's more, Porsche has German genes and does not want to lose sight of one or the other. In my opinion, the Macan 2.0T has at least three-point 911 charm, which is by no means a "mediocre majority".
Including the 911, the Porsche model's steering response is not particularly fast, and there is no "thief" feeling in the front of the car. While some competitors began to favor ridiculously small turn ratios, Macan stuck to the Porsche family DNA – moderation is fine. The Macan's center-zone steering ratio is 14.3:1, with a linear initial response and accurate nose pointing, creating a delicate sense of balance. The steering feels unsinkable, but provides ample information to return. The faster the car drives, the more down-to-earth the driver becomes.
When the small angle input steering, the front point retains a hint of laziness, and the dynamic of the corner is not particularly bold. You can feel the suspension working hard, as much as possible to ensure mechanical grip, but the coil spring still takes care of comfort after all, and the roll control is not extreme. In addition, it is also an indisputable fact that the stiffness of the tyre side is limited. Driving the Macan 2.0T to the track, I always felt that there was something missing around me. If only it had been more sharp, more fierce, more aura... Isn't that exactly the Macan GTS?
Fortunately, the Porsche Macan never worries about the optional configuration. From the exterior to the interior, from leather to wood trim, from suspension to brakes, the Zufenhausen people offer countless options. Of course, to get the unique Macan, the owners and friends are doomed to pay a high price. Fortunately, after this redesign, Macan has significantly improved the standard configuration, saving you a few iPhone 13s.
Editor's comments: Some people say that it is "standard axis Q5", which is the product of modular popularity. Some say it was a child adopted by Porsche and did not deserve to stop in the Zufenhausen showroom. However, Macan proved with practical actions that his life is by no means the judge who rules his destiny. Even the cheapest Porsche, even the youngest, has the highest engineering achievements on the planet. Everyone likes the super idols hanging on the wall, but those partners who come into your and my life are the most worth cherishing and grasping.
Chassis | After all, it is Porsche