Balancing Ride Comfort and Handling

The Porsche Macan made its global debut in 2013, selling over 350,000 units in five years. Introduced in Japan in 2014, it is now positioned as a crucial model, accounting for approximately 30% of Porsche Japan's annual sales.

This refinement focuses on three key areas: design, driving dynamics, and infotainment and connectivity.

The front design, with its wider grille and newly designed LED headlights, accentuates Porsche's signature four-point LED daytime running lights. At the rear, a new feature is the adoption of a horizontally elongated LED taillight with a 3D design, similar to that found on the Panamera, Cayenne, and 911.



The interior features a larger touchscreen, increased from 7.2 inches to 10.9 inches, which has led to a redesign of the center console area, further emphasizing horizontal lines.

In terms of driving dynamics, while power and torque figures remain unchanged, optimization of the combustion chamber shape has slightly lowered the power band to 5,000–6,750 rpm from the previous 5,000–6,800 rpm. This is paired with a 7-speed PDK transmission.

The suspension system has seen a 1.5 kg weight reduction by using aluminum for parts of the front suspension. Revisions to the anti-roll bars, springs, and dampers have resulted in sharper handling and improved ride comfort due to reduced unsprung weight.



Additionally, for the first time on the Macan, a Sport Chrono Package with a mode switch is available as an option.

Finally, regarding safety equipment and the infotainment system, the enhancement of safety features, particularly important for the Japanese market, is noteworthy. Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Change Assist are standard. Traffic Jam Assist and Lane Keep Assist are also available as options. "These are specially equipped as standard (or optional) in Japan to meet the demands of our Japanese customers," stated Kaori Yamazaki, Porsche Japan Executive Officer and Marketing Director. She added, "Along with the intuitive 10.9-inch touchscreen display, the latest Porsche Communication Management (PCM) provides drivers with a wealth of useful information."

Strategic Pricing

The price of the Macan remains unchanged at 6.99 million yen. Regarding this, Ms. Yamazaki commented, "Porsche Japan will continue to provide attractive products and contribute, however modestly, to stimulating Japanese consumption. It is our genuine desire to allow more customers to experience the world of Porsche that has led us to achieve this strategic pricing in Japan."

Furthermore, two special versions will be offered at the initial launch in Japan: the "First Edition," which comes standard with popular options for the Japanese market, and the "Sport Edition." The First Edition pursues superior comfort with 14-way power seats for an optimal driving position. The Sport Edition, as the name suggests, features a sporty specification, including side blades in the same color as the exterior and Sport Design side skirts. Both editions offer options such as the Sport Chrono Package and Porsche Active Suspension Management system. The First Edition starts from 8.892 million yen, and the Sport Edition starts from 9.164 million yen.

Targeting the Millennial Generation

The key message for the new Macan is "Choose Thrilling. The new Macan. For the uncompromising challengers of life." The intended target users are "active individuals who are forward-thinking and action-oriented, as well as families. We want those who constantly embrace challenges, live life actively, and seek more excitement in their daily lives to experience the sport driving of this new Macan," said Ms. Yamazaki. "Our newly targeted demographic is the digital-native millennial generation. While the number of immediate direct purchases may not be high, we want these millennials to experience the excellence that Porsche embodies. We believe this is a very important target for the future," she commented.

At the announcement event, two Porsche Driving Athletes were present: Takumi Minamino, a player for FC Red Bull Salzburg in the Austrian Bundesliga, and Takuya Haneda, who won Asia's first bronze medal in canoe slalom at the Rio Olympics.



Mr. Minamino commented on his impression of the Macan: "I think its sporty car-like form is cool, despite being an SUV. Personally, I'm interested in the Sport Edition, which adds even more sportiness. I'd like to drive it when going to practice." Mr. Haneda stated, "Compared to the previous Macan, the overall impression is more refined and sporty. The taillights, now resembling those of the Panamera and Cayenne, are the most striking feature. The moment I find a car's design most appealing is when its taillights illuminate in the dark. The fact that you can recognize it as a Porsche just by its taillights is very attractive."

Taycan in 2020, and the Porsche Experience Center the Following Year

In 2018, Porsche celebrated its 70th anniversary. Porsche Japan marked this occasion with various events, beginning with a Guinness World Record for the world's largest folded newspaper advertisement created to commemorate Porsche's 70th anniversary, certified at a press conference in May. In June, during the Porsche Tribute Tour held at Hakone Turnpike, the "EV 919 Hybrid," developed based on the Porsche "919 Hybrid" that won last year's 24 Hours of Le Mans, visited Japan as part of the 919 Tribute Tour that circled major global cities, and ran on the Hakone Turnpike. "Through this initiative, we expressed Porsche's challenge in electrified mobility, introducing the electrification technology cultivated with the 919 Hybrid into our production vehicles. The message conveyed was that Porsche remains Porsche even as the power source transitions from internal combustion engines to motors, and this was broadcast to the world from Japan," stated Toshiyuki Shichinokimi, President of Porsche Japan.

Regarding Porsche Japan's initiatives for 2019, President Shichinokimi announced the opening of five new authorized dealerships, aiming to maintain the strong sales performance seen since 2009.



The "Mission E," the overarching name for Porsche's electrification project, has been officially named "Taycan." It is scheduled for release in Japan in 2020. "As we have already received significant interest from many customers, we will begin accepting subscriptions for a newsletter providing information related to the Taycan from 2019, ahead of its launch."

Finally, "The plan to establish a comprehensive sports driving facility, the Porsche Experience Center, in Kisarazu City, Chiba Prefecture, has been officially decided. It will feature a unique and dynamic driving course designed by Porsche itself, and is planned to be a one-of-a-kind facility in Japan where visitors can fully enjoy sports driving and the world of Porsche." The opening is scheduled for 2021, and upon completion, it will be the eighth Porsche Experience Center worldwide.