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2015 Porsche Macan debuts in Turbo and S configurations (pictures)

The compact crossover features standard all-wheel drive, dual-clutch automatic shifting, and twin-turbo V-6 power.

Antuan Goodwin
Antuan Goodwin gained his automotive knowledge the old fashioned way, by turning wrenches in a driveway and picking up speeding tickets. From drivetrain tech and electrification to car audio installs and cabin tech, if it's on wheels, Antuan is knowledgeable.
Antuan Goodwin
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1 of 21 Josh Miller/CNET

2015 Porsche Macan S

Porsche's newest compact SUV debuts at the 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show.
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2 of 21 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

Porsche styling

The 2015 Macan wraps the automaker's design language around the proportions of a compact SUV. It's no surprise that the Macan looks a lot like the Cayenne with cues borrowed from the newest Boxster, Cayman, and 911 sports cars.
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3 of 21 Josh Miller/CNET

S or Turbo?

The Macan will be available in Macan S and Macan Turbo trim levels.
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4 of 21 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

Engine options

Under the hood, you'll find either a 3.0-liter or a 3.6-liter aluminum V-6 engine. Twin turbocharging, the PDK dual-clutch transmission, and all-wheel drive are standard on both the Macan S and Macan Turbo.
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5 of 21 Josh Miller/CNET

LED taillights

The rear end makes use of LED tail lamps that Porsche says are evocative of the 918 Spyder hybrid supercar.
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6 of 21 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

Sweeping curves

But I think that the rear view is actually more reminiscent of the Porsche Panamera.
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7 of 21 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

Headlamps

The active headlamps are standard and swivel with the steering to illuminate corners. LED daytime running lights are also standard.
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8 of 21 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

Three suspension options

The Macan S features a sport-tuned, but fixed, suspension. The Turbo model comes standard with an adaptive suspension. Porsche also offers an optional air suspension with auto leveling and adjustable ride height levels.
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9 of 21 Josh Miller/CNET

Interior

The interior is well put together, but I grimace every time I see that massive bank of buttons on a Porsche's center console.
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10 of 21 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

Instrument cluster

The tri-gauge instrument cluster puts the tachometer front and center and uses a small LCD for the rightmost gauge. This display can show the driver a variety of information, the most useful being a live-updating map for turn-by-turn navigation (if equipped).
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11 of 21 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

Sport Chrono

An optional Sport Chrono package adds this analog chronograph to the dashboard, but you're probably more interested in the package's sharper Sport programming and launch control.
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12 of 21 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

Buttons

On vehicles equipped with the air suspension, the ride height can be adjusted using these center console buttons.
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13 of 21 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

Touch screen

The 7-inch touch-screen display is standard, but to unlock its full functionality, you'll need to spec the optional PCM with navigation.
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14 of 21 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

Interior customization

Porsche gives the owner a wide range of customization options. This Turbo model's carbon-and-white finished interior is a bit too outlandish for my taste.
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15 of 21 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

Dual exhaust

Turbo or S, the Macan's rear end is finished with a dual exhaust, though the design of these exhausts is unique to each trim level.
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16 of 21 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

19-inch wheels

These 19-inch wheels with staggered sizes are standard on both the S and Turbo models. The rear wheels are wider by just a few millimeters.
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17 of 21 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

Turbo wheels

The Turbo and S models' standard wheel and tire packages are identical in dimension, but feature unique designs. Optional wheels up to 21 inches in diameter are available.
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18 of 21 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

Turbo fascia

The Turbo model also features a unique front fascia treatment that is ever so subtly more aggressive.
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19 of 21 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

Forward sensor

This optical sensor enables the optional adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning systems to do their thing.
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20 of 21 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

2015 Porsche Macan Turbo

In its hottest Sport Chrono configuration, the 400 horsepower Macan Turbo will be able to hit 60 mph from a stop in as few as 4.2 seconds.
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21 of 21 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

Little SUV a big win for Porsche

The larger Porsche Cayenne SUV is the automaker's best seller by a whole order of magnitude. Can the more compact, more affordable, and more high-tech Macan duplicate or exceed its big sister's success? We'll find out next year when the 2015 Macan hits the road.

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