Brian_Innes
Member
Since moving to the Macan Turbo following a 12 year succession of increasingly potent Caymans, people have been asking me if I regret giving up the mid-engined coupe. My answer to these enquiries is, of course I do. I miss the planted, bolted down, road grip and tactile feel from the steering wheel that the mid-engined Cayman delivers in spades. The walk-up experience towards that haunched, purposeful, low set stance, cannot be compared favourably to the high-riding SUV look of the Macan at the kerbside. The Macan looks ordinary by comparison.
Of its type, the Macan Turbo is a VERY NICE CAR to sit in, and drive. The cabin comforts are superb. The equipment levels onboard the Generation 2 model are absolutely top notch, and the view of the road ahead and all around visibility is first class. For the keen driver such as myself, the Macan Turbo can be hustled along winding, undulating, rural roads at a pace well beyond most other SUV's. The road feel transmitted via the helm is commendable for a vehicle of this size and weight. The sheer bulk of the thing seems to evaporate on smooth twisty sections of road when you dial in the Sports modes, and the throttle responses when the turbo is on full song is practically lag-free, in manual gear shift mode at least. Care is still needed on narrow section of road, but I have gradually grown accustomed to the body width and placement of the wide 21" alloys.
One thing I was pleasantly surprised with is the road grip provided from the Michelin Pilot Latitude 3 tyres. On wet roads, (I've had plenty of experience of that recently) and in dry conditions, the grip from the tyres has been absolutely astonishing. If the Michelin Alpin 5 winter tyres do as good a job as the summer tyres, I'll not be disappointed. The wheel and tyre change over is due to take place within the next couple of weeks. More comment on my experiences will follow in due course.
Brian
Of its type, the Macan Turbo is a VERY NICE CAR to sit in, and drive. The cabin comforts are superb. The equipment levels onboard the Generation 2 model are absolutely top notch, and the view of the road ahead and all around visibility is first class. For the keen driver such as myself, the Macan Turbo can be hustled along winding, undulating, rural roads at a pace well beyond most other SUV's. The road feel transmitted via the helm is commendable for a vehicle of this size and weight. The sheer bulk of the thing seems to evaporate on smooth twisty sections of road when you dial in the Sports modes, and the throttle responses when the turbo is on full song is practically lag-free, in manual gear shift mode at least. Care is still needed on narrow section of road, but I have gradually grown accustomed to the body width and placement of the wide 21" alloys.
One thing I was pleasantly surprised with is the road grip provided from the Michelin Pilot Latitude 3 tyres. On wet roads, (I've had plenty of experience of that recently) and in dry conditions, the grip from the tyres has been absolutely astonishing. If the Michelin Alpin 5 winter tyres do as good a job as the summer tyres, I'll not be disappointed. The wheel and tyre change over is due to take place within the next couple of weeks. More comment on my experiences will follow in due course.
Brian