Skip advert
Advertisement

New Porsche Macan T revealed with lighter weight and 261bhp

Porsche Macan T focuses on handling and aims to appeal to driving enthusiasts

  • Tweaked suspension setup
  • Sits between Macan and the Macan S 
  • Powered by a 261bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine

A new Porsche Macan T model has joined the line-up. The T in the name stands for Touring, a name Porsche has historically given to special light-weight models. While the Macan is no featherweight, Porsche has given the new version a specific tuning setup for sharper handling.

Advertisement - Article continues below

On sale now, the Macan T starts from £53,970; first deliveries are due in spring. The Macan is Porsche’s smaller SUV, rivalling the Audi Q5, Alfa Romeo Stelvio, BMW X3 and Jaguar F-Pace.

Top sports and performance SUVs heroTop 10 best sports and performance SUVs 2024

Rather than fitting the 2.9-litre V6 from the powerful Macan S, the T gets the base model’s 2.0-litre petrol engine that’s shared with the Volkswagen Golf GTI. The smaller engine weighs nearly 60kg less than the V6, which should benefit the car’s cornering ability as there’s less weight over the nose. In the four-wheel drive Macan T, this engine produces 261bhp, allowing it to hit 0-62mph in 6.2 seconds and a maximum speed of 144mph. 

While it may be four-wheel drive, the Macan T sends more power to the rear wheels than the front, making it feel rear-wheel drive. That should make it more athletic, and lowered suspension should help further. Other enhancements include adaptive dampers, and the anti-roll bar has been stiffened. Buyers can also spec air suspension from the options list. 

The Macan T is marked out by grey body accents, along with black exhausts and matching window trim surrounds. A set of 20-inch titanium wheels are borrowed from the Macan S, while the heated steering wheel is from the GTS-spec Macan. You also get black leather sports seats, a chrono stopwatch on the dashboard and exclusive door plates.

Stripping 60kg out of the Macan has less effect than it would in a Porsche 911 or Porsche 718 Cayman, because the Macan S is still a two-tonne car. As such, the Macan T posts similarly sports car-like economy figures, managing up to 28mpg. 

Read our guide to the fastest SUVs on sale

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

BMW Z4 review – a modern take on the classic sports car formula
BMW Z4 convertible
In-depth reviews
11 Oct 2024

BMW Z4 review – a modern take on the classic sports car formula

Mazda MX-5 review – the benchmark affordable sports car
2024 Mazda MX-5
In-depth reviews
29 Aug 2024

Mazda MX-5 review – the benchmark affordable sports car

Toyota GR Yaris review - from supermini to supercar slayer
Toyota GR Yaris
In-depth reviews
6 Aug 2024

Toyota GR Yaris review - from supermini to supercar slayer

New Audi e-tron GT gets £28k price hike – but performance takes a big leap too
Audi S e-tron GT front quarter
News
1 Aug 2024

New Audi e-tron GT gets £28k price hike – but performance takes a big leap too

Most Popular

Renault 5 review – iconic supermini reinvented as an EV
Renault 5 front quarter
In-depth reviews
7 Oct 2024

Renault 5 review – iconic supermini reinvented as an EV

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s best PCP finance offers
Carbuyer best new car deals hero
Deals
11 Oct 2024

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s best PCP finance offers

Ford Explorer review – good-to-drive EV with a long range
Ford Explorer Carbuyer UK drive
In-depth reviews
9 Oct 2024

Ford Explorer review – good-to-drive EV with a long range

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
26 Mar 2024

Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps
Charging station
Tips and advice
23 Jul 2024

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors

Top 10 best electric cars 2024
Best electric cars
Best cars
16 May 2024

Top 10 best electric cars 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024