Porsche Debuts Second SUV

Porsche AG introduced the Macan compact SUV today at the Los Angeles auto show. The vehicle, which shares its platform with the Audi Q5, will go on sale worldwide in April.

Porsche says it has initial capacity to produce 50,000 Macans annually at its factory in Leipzig. The SUV, Porsche's fifth model, will have a retail price of €58,000 in Germany.

The company expects the Macan to be its best-selling model and help it reach an annual sales target of 200,000 units by 2018.

The company will offer three versions of the new model in Europe. The S will be powered by a 3.0-lter V-6 biturbo gasoline engine that delivers 340 hp through a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. This model can accelerate from zero to 100 kph in 5.4 seconds and reach a top speed of 254 kph. Porsche says the S has achieved a fuel economy rating of 8.7 liters/100 km (27 mpg) on the NEDC test cycle.

The Macan S Diesel, not available in North America, will come equipped with a 3.0-liter V-6 diesel rated at 258 hp. It can reach 100 kph in 6.3 seconds and achieve a terminal speed of 230 kph. The S2 has a fuel efficiency rating in Europe of 6.1 liters/100 km (38 mpg).

The top-of-the-line Turbo is fitted with a 3.6-liter V-6 biturbo gasoline engine that makes 400 hp and propels the Macan from zero to 100 kph in 4.8 seconds to a top speed of 266 kph. The S3 has an NEDC fuel economy rating of 8.9 liters/100 km (26 mpg), according to Porsche.