Porsche Updates Macan Crossover

Volkswagen AG’s Porsche unit is giving the hot-selling Macan crossover vehicle its first significant update since the model was launched in 2014.

Exterior changes include standard LED headlights as part of a redesigned front end that the carmaker says makes the car look lower and wider. The new model also gets LED taillights, new brake lamps, large alloy wheels and enhanced tires that improve lateral grip. The suspension also has been tweaked for added stability.

The interior features a redesigned dashboard with an 11-inch touchscreen center display and repositioned air vents that now sit below the display. The 2019 Macan also gets a sport steering wheel, heated windshield and air ionizer options.

New driver assist features include Traffic Jam Assist, which uses adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistance to enable partially autonomous driving capability at speeds as high as 40 mph. Porsche’s Connect Plus system allows for real-time traffic monitoring, and a smartphone app allows users to capture and share off-road experiences.

Porsche says it has sold some 350,000 Macans to date. More than 100,000 of the total come from China.