LA MOTOR SHOW: Porsche debuts Macan

Porsche's cheapest car since the first generation Cayenne debuted today on the eve of the Los Angeles Auto Show. And though there were no shocks as to the all-new Macan medium SUV's appearance, after countless spy photos with little or no camo and recent leaks, the level of Porsche DNA within the new vehicle set tongues wagging.

Entering a new segment for Porsche, the Macan was billed as based on Audis Q5 but arrived officially today a very different beast.

Featuring uniquely Porsche designed parts for almost 70 per cent of its total, it will take on both the Audi and cars like BMW X3 at the premium end of the medium SUV marketplace when it arrives in Australia in late June 2014.

However, Macan has an even more important role to play than stealing sales from its BMW and Audi counterparts. This is the car Porsche execs hope will introduce a new generation to the brand.

Macan is not a cheaper entry-level vehicle, claimed Porsche sales and marketing chief Bernhard Maier. Rather it is "another entry to the brand", he said.

For Aussies price will definitely be a discussion point. Macan will debut with a price "people are not used to from Porsche", Porsche Cars Australia spokesperson Paul Ellis told motoring.com.au at the unveiling.

Ellis stated the exclusively turbocharged V6 range would start under $100,000 but would not be drawn on how far. He said pricing for the new car would be announced "in a few weeks".

Ellis stated supply for the new SUV would be "tight" – and not only Down Under. He would not confirm exact order volumes but said it was "encouraging".

"It's encouraging and surprising given the Macan is essentially unknown to the buying public. Most of the interest is from first time Porsche people," he added.

Porsche says it will build just 50,000 Macan per annum – all at its Leipzig operation in Germany.

Porsche's message regarding the Macan revolved around its status as a 'real' Porsche. Obviously sensitive about its shared roots, from the top down the Porsche execs played up the credentials of the car.

"Your head and your heart will tell you it is a real Porsche," Matthias Muller said to the assembled faithful.

Local Porsche spokesperson Ellis was also on message.

"Although there is commonality of some parts with other vehicles in the Volkswagen Audi Group, our engineers are very chuffed with the amount of Porsche-ness they have designed into the vehicle [Macan]," Ellis stated.

In the metal, the Macan is noticeably lower and wider than the current crop of mid-sized SUVs. It's roofline is 'softer' than others in the segment, lending the vehicle the look of a large hatchback from some angles.

At launch three turbo V6 engines will be offered: one turbo-diesel (Macan S-Diesel) one 3.0-litre (Macan S) and 3.6-litre (Macan Turbo) turbo direct-injected petrol units. The petrol V6s are all-new, proclaimed Porsche's debut presentation.

The 3.0-litre turbo-diesel is rated at 190kW and an impressive 580Nm. Porsche claims a 0-100km/h sprint time of 6.3 seconds, reduced a further 0.2 seconds when the optional Sports Chrono Package is fitted.

The petrol 3.0 and 3.6 turbo V6 petrol engines motivated the car through the same bracket in 5.4 (5.2 Sport Chrono) and 4.8 seconds (4.6) respectively.

Outputs are listed at 250kW/460Nm and 294kW/550Nm for the turbo-petrol V6 units.

Top speeds are 230, 254 and 266km/h respectively.

The NEDC fuel consumption figures range from 9.2L/100km (Macan Turbo) to 6.1 (Macan S-Diesel).

Porsche engineering chief, Wolfgang Hatz confirmed four-cylinder Macan models would eventually arrive, in part due to Chinese demand. He stated, however, that Porsche may limit the choice to turbo petrol only. Small turbo-diesels are still step too far for the marque, Hatz stated.

Further separating the Macan from its Audi counterpart is Porsche's use of its own PDK automated manual dual-clutch gearbox. The all-wheel drive system is rear-biased with the rear axle always driven.

Also unique to the Porsche are all body panels -- the most striking of these the large, one-piece clamshell bonnet.

Such is the design of the bonnet that there are no shut lines visible. Like a prototype racecar, the bonnet overlaps the headlamps and inner front guards, delivering a front quarter panel and bonnet junction at wheel level.

Porsche was also at pains to talk up the 911-inspired interior and cockpit, with its signature outboard dash-mounted ignition key location.