New Porsche SUV teased, named ‘Macan’ after Indonesian tiger
An artist’s sketch of the Porsche Macan. — Picture courtesy of PorscheSTUTTGART, Feb 17 — Porsche’s new compact SUV is to be called the Porsche Macan, derived from the Indonesian word for “tiger”, the luxury German automaker confirmed yesterday.
Releasing the first teaser sketch and video for the model, Porsche also confirmed that it will begin production in 2013 as the fifth Porsche model line, following in the footsteps of the larger Cayenne SUV.
The firm’s first impressions show a low, sleek model which is known to be based on the Audi Q5 platform, with a sportier styling and premium interior.
It is believed that the model will feature 2.0L and 3.0L engines in both gasoline and diesel variants, slightly more powerful than those in the Audi Q5. A Macan Turbo S also expected to follow, possibly alongside a hybrid model.
In a statement, Porsche said that the animal roots of the name Macan, which is derived from Indonesian language, reflected the model’s characteristics such as “suppleness, power, fascination and dynamics.”
Its introduction is likely to mark the start of a turf war between Porsche and Maserati, which introduced its own (admittedly larger) Kubang SUV last year.
The name Kubang was also taken from the South-east Asian region and is said by the firm to be derived from the name of a wind that blows through Java, Indonesia — although as eagle-eyed language critics picked up when the model was first introduced as a concept, that is not the only translation. — AFP/Relaxnews
