2020 Macan Turbo can give a 718 Cayman a run for its money

Porsche raised the curtain on the 2020 Macan Turbo midsize SUV, revealing that the trim little ute gets a significant boost in power over other Macan turbos. That capital T is significant. You see, all 2020 Macans will be turbocharged, with the base Macan and Macan S models powered by a forced-induction 348-hp 3.0-liter V-6; but the Macan Turbo gets the twin-turbo, 2.9-liter V-6 found in the Panamera sedan and the Macan’s bigger SUV brother, the Cayenne (plus some cousins at Audi). That raises power to 435 horsepower—a pretty big bump—and boosts torque to 406 lb-ft. Equipped with the optional Sport Chrono Package, the new Macan Turbo can get to 60 mph from a standing start in just 4.1 seconds (compared to the base Macan Turbo’s 4.3 seconds) which makes this SUV as quick as some sports cars, including Porsche’s own 718 Cayman GTS. Top speed is 167 mph. That’s 0.3 seconds and 3 mph faster than the previous Macan Turbo.

All-wheel drive tricked out with Porsche Traction Management is standard, and the only available transmission is a Porsche PDK seven-speed dual-clutch automatic unit with paddle shifters. Also standard are Porsche’s Surface Coated Brakes, which have a tungsten-carbide coating on the brake rotors—which Porsche says improves brake response and dramatically reduces wear and brake dust. Carbon-ceramic brakes are optional, as is the Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus system and an air suspension feature that upgrades the standard adjustable dampers with ride height control.

You could buy a Mazda 3 for the premium you’d pay for that capital T. The Macan Turbo is about $25,000 more than the base Macan and about $8000 more than the last Macan Turbo sold (a 2018 model, since there was no Macan Turbo available for 2019); but that gets you plenty of features that distinguish the Turbo from more plebeian Porsches. Up front there is a new, more aggressive fascia and a spoiler perches out back. Twenty-inch aluminum wheels are standard, as are Sport Design side skirts on the sills. The Sport Exhaust, previously an option on the Macan Turbo, is now also standard equipment.

Inside there are leather sports seats adjustable 18 ways, a sport steering wheel similar to that in the 911, an Alcantara headliner, and an infotainment system with a 10.9-inch touchscreen, 14-speaker Bose sound system, and standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

Pricing for the 2020 Porsche Macan Turbo starts at $84,950, including delivery charges. Sales will begin later this year.

We’ll have more details and photos after the 2020 Macan Turbo gets its first public showing next month at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show.