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Rather, Porsche has. The new 2015 Macan is a brilliant move on Porsche's behalf. I mean, for Piech's sakes, the Macan has barely arrived on dealer lots and it's taken the compact luxury CUV segment by storm, selling out (with 8-9 month waits in some cases).

Perhaps 50,000 units built annually will not suffice to meet demands. Think about it for a second: I'm willing to bet that more than 90% of buyers placed orders on spec. Porsche has indeed done it again because when these purchasers finally get to drive their Macan, they'll be blown away.

What was codenamed Cajun (for CAyenne JUNior) is actually far better than the initially rejected Porsche pepper. The Macan is fantastically sorted -- in drive, handling, power, finesse, and I could go on for weeks on end.


What is a Porsche Macan?
The 2015 Macan is Porsche demonstrating that it can do anything it pleases, albeit in a very measured manner. Porsche is aiming "down" in the market but that, by no stretch of the imagination, does not mean that the Macan is any less of a Porsche.

The Macan will quickly become Stuttgart's beloved bread-and-butter vehicle, taking over from the Cayenne, as it infiltrates the hotly contested segment of the compact luxury CUV.

The Macan shares a limited amount of components with the Audi Q5, and by comparison the Porsche is a self-described sportscar-UV. This vehicle will put the hurt on many.



2015 Porsche Macan Price and Specs
Why will the 2015 Porsche Macan make such a huge splash? Simple: It's a Porsche utility vehicle and it has a starting price of $54,300. That's right, a fully functional 5-door, 5-seat with a decent trunk Porsche product. Imagine the possibilities... The autobahn-burning Macan Turbo starts at $82,200.

My Macan S tester was laden with a few accessories namely the panoramic roof, 19" wheels, and infotainment and premium packages. Grand total? $64,450 -- roughly $3,000 more than a slightly better equipped, less powerful BMW X3 xDrive35i.

The 2015 Porsche Macan S is powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.0L V6 that produces 340 horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque. The Turbo makes use of a twin-turbocharged 3.6L V6 that mass-produces 400 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque. Both Macans channel their power through a unique-to-the-segment 7-speed PDK transmission and only with AWD.

The Macan S will hit the ton in 5.4 seconds while the Turbo reaches 100km/hr in 4.8 seconds.

Porsche's AWD, coupled to Porsche Traction Management (PTM), can send 100% available power to the rear wheels, a feat that Audi's super Quattro AWD cannot achieve.

Driving the 2015 Porsche Macan
Porsche pulled a serious tour de force with their new Macan. Regardless of the road conditions, it takes it all in stride, as solid and durable as the Great Wall of China. Through its intuitive and earnestly precise electric steering (same setup as the Q5, with a quicker ratio) the Macan is just as happily thrown onto any ramp (the sharper, the better) with only a hint of understeer.

The Macan is like a noble bottle of bourbon. Although you'd like to drink it all in one sitting, it's best nursed and appreciated. Each gulp is as satisfying as the previous, and in the end it makes you feel real good. Prodding the throttle is but one sip. Activating the "Sport" button is like downing a double.

Acceleration and power delivery are smooth, as max torque is on tap from 1,450-5,000 rpm only to then be swapped in momentum by max hp, which drops in from 5,500-6,500 rpm. Linear and uninterrupted, the Macan shoots forward calmly and with gusto.

The next swallow is equal to the previous, but this one is all about the PDK. Porsche's drive-loving crew opted for what is bar-none the most excellent dual-clutch transmission out there.

The Macan's sports-car nature is enhanced by this box that sashays from gear to gear quicker than the bat of an eyelash. Upon your test drive, be mindful of how quickly the revs drop -- soak in what is mechanical perfection.

The inevitable question: Does the Macan drive better than the Cayenne? The Audi Q5? Yes, on both counts. The Macan is considerably lighter than both (300 lbs on the SQ5) and thus more agile, more lithe and alive. It redefines what is possible in this segment.

Inside and Out of the 2015 Porsche Macan
On this front, the Macan is all Porsche albeit with some very distinct features. Its rear-hinged aluminum clamshell hood is beautiful and monstrous at the same time. Below the bonnet, the Macan sports a gnarly and proportionally larger grille than the Cayenne. In "S" trim, the Macan is subdued whereas the Turbo is faintly angrier.

Both are impressively handsome from most angles. A sharply angled rear hatch makes for a larger-looking ass, and the rear door severely cuts into the cargo area (the Macan's boot is about 40% lower on volume than the Audi Q5) -- but I'd be more than happy to spank it on a daily basis.

Porsche cars and SUVs now all feature near-identical dashboard designs and cabins. Therefore, all genuinely important controls are located on the ramp that flows from the centre stack to the armrest. Ergonomics are good, but the real kickers are the seats, which are firm and comfortable at the same time.

The driving position is ideal and considerably lower than one would expect in a CUV. Oh, and the steering wheel: It's straight out of the 918 Spyder and is an absolute turn-on. The rear bench is somewhat snug, but will accommodate two adults easily.

Fit and finish are typical Porsche fare. The only negative mention I can make originates from the less than attractive door/flap that conceals the CD player.

Comparing the 2015 Porsche Macan
I'm more or less all over the compact luxury CUV segment after driving the all-new Lincoln MKC and Lexus NX. I'm very familiar with the Acura RDX, Cadillac SRX, Audi Q5, Infiniti QX70, and BMW X3. All are worthy in their own respect.

The 2015 Porsche Macan may not be able to match the luggage capacity of most of these models nor is it as quiet, but where on-road driving is concerned none can touch it.

From GMM

CVC's chief Donald Mackenzie on Wednesday gave Bernie Ecclestone a boost.

Mackenzie, CVC's co-founder and chairman, has not always seen eye-to-eye with F1's controversial 'supremo', and has even warned that Ecclestone risks expulsion over the Gerhard Gribkowsky bribery affair.

On Wednesday, Mackenzie was called as a witness in the Munich trial. He backed Ecclestone's defence.

Prosecutors claim 83-year-old Ecclestone bribed the now jailed Gribkowsky to the tune of $44 million so as to sell the sport to a preferred buyer and retain power.

But Mackenzie said Ecclestone in fact never asked that part of CVC's deal would involve keeping him as chief executive.

"At no point did he ever say that he expected that," he told the court.

In fact, Mackenzie said, Ecclestone had told him: "If you want me, then I might be available."

"We showed him a services contract because he never showed any interest and did not negotiate," German reports quote Donald Mackenzie as testifying.

Mackenzie also backed the claims of Ecclestone's lawyers about Gribkowsky's character, depicting him as "arrogant and very self-confident".

And he also denied that Ecclestone was happy if CVC bought F1's commercial rights for a low price so long as he would remain in power.

Donald Mackenzie recalled when CVC, during negotiations, valued the rights at a billion dollars.

"He (Ecclestone) began to laugh heartily and said I should not waste his or the shareholders' time," he said.

Donald Mackenzie said Bernie Ecclestone later slid a piece of paper across the table containing the words: "2 billion".

From GMM

Carlos Sainz Jr has admitted talks about making his grand prix debut for Caterham this year have taken place in recent days.

The 19-year-old Spaniard spoke to the sports newspaper AS just before heading to the Nurburgring, where he will continue his dominant season in the Renault world series this weekend.

Sainz, who shares a name with his world rallying legend father, is the current cream of Red Bull's junior driver programme, and hotly tipped to replace Jean-Eric Vergne at Toro Rosso in 2015.

But in the wake of F1 backmarker Caterham's takeover, new team advisor Colin Kolles had talks at Silverstone with Sainz Jr and snr and Red Bull's Dr Helmut Marko.

Carlos Sainz Jr, Dr Helmut Marko, Carlos Sainz Sr at Silverstone. (Photo: WRi2)

It is believed a deal whereby Sainz jr makes his F1 debut in a green car this year, replacing Kamui Kobayashi, was discussed, possibly with the forgiving of Caterham's gearbox bills to Red Bull as payment.

According to some Spanish reports, the parties failed to agree.

"Yes, it is true that there have been talks with them (Caterham), but there is nothing confirmed," Sainz Jr told the Spanish daily AS.

"It doesn't change anything for me because my goal remains the same: to be at Toro Rosso in the future," he added. "If for that to happen I pass through Caterham then I do so happily. It has been possible to race this year, but Red Bull is the one who decides. They and Caterham must also benefit and reach an agreement."

If Marko and Kolles ultimately shake hands, Sainz's F1 debut would be similar to the impressive Daniel Ricciardo's in 2011, when the Australian drove for the Kolles-run HRT team before switching to Toro Rosso.

"Getting F1 kilometres under your belt always helps," Sainz said, "no matter how good the team is. If they have considered it for me, it's a good sign that I'm doing things right."

From GMM

Niki Lauda has played down the effect the removal of the complex 'Fric' system will have on F1's dominant team.

The triple world champion is also the F1 chairman at Mercedes, who along with Red Bull are considered the teams most affected by the FIA's questioning of the legality of systems that mimic active suspension.

The governing body has not actually banned the 'front and rear inter-connected' systems, but the door to disgruntled rival teams lodging protests is now open.

It is believed Mercedes and Red Bull, among others, will remove 'Fric' from their respective cars as of Hockenheim next weekend.

Germany's Auto Bild said the Mercedes system in particular is complex and highly beneficial, also bringing the Pirelli tires up to optimum temperature and working in perfect harmony with the championship-dominating W05 car.

Mercedes W05 chassis. (Photo: WRi2)

"The competition suspects a ban could make the Silver Arrow up to five tenths of a second slower per lap," said correspondents Bianca Garloff and Ralf Bach.

But Lauda insists: "It (removing Fric) will not change much. At the same time, you have to wonder why a system that was legal for one and a half years is suddenly banned."

It was left to correspondents Garloff and Bach to wonder if the FIA is moving to "make formula one artificially exciting" in 2014 by banning Fric and allowing Mercedes' rivals to catch up.

But they also claim Mercedes and Red Bull's grandee rivals McLaren and Ferrari lobbied hard on the 'Fric' issue in the days and months before Charlie Whiting's letter to the teams after the British grand prix.

"The motives of McLaren and Ferrari are obvious," said the correspondents.

Red Bull is also facing up to having to remove Fric before Hockenheim for fear of protests.

"In recent years we have often had to re-do something that has previously been declared legal," Dr Helmut Marko said. "It's the same with this system now. But our disadvantages are perhaps not as great as some others."

Mercedes team chairman Niki Lauda told on Thursday Auto Motor und Sport: "The system has been used for two and a half years and all technical inspections have occurred without objection. So it is difficult to understand why suddenly the perspective has changed."

Lauda called on the FIA to take a precise position on the legality of the system.

"We don't want to invest any more in something that is against the rules. We want to know whether it is legal or illegal," he said.

From GMM

Honda will make its return to F1 next year with the help of a Mercedes-linked company, it has emerged.

For the start of F1's new V6 era this year, engine manufacturers Renault and Ferrari turned to the help of external suppliers for the design of the actual turbocharger unit.

Renault works with the Austrian company APC Pankl, and Ferrari's is a bespoke Honeywell turbo.

Dominant Mercedes, on the other hand, designs and builds its very own turbocharger.

But Honda, returning to F1 next year to supply its works V6 to McLaren, will follow the Renault and Ferrari model.

Germany's Speed Week, and Italian media sources, report that the Japanese manufacturer will have its turbo made by a Tokyo-based company called IHI.

IHI, formerly Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries, has solid links to Mercedes parent Daimler, having set up a joint venture in Germany some years ago to design and manufacture turbo units.

Daimler and IHI split only last year.

From GMM

As half-time approaches in 2014, changes abound in the world of F1.

The mid-season upheaval at Caterham continues apace, with media reports suggesting the now Colin Kolles-advised team is set to announce a new technical director.

He is Gerhard Ungar, who until recently headed up the operation for Mercedes' leading DTM touring car team, HWA.

When he left in May, Toto Wolff said Ungar had "put our brand in a position to win ten drivers' titles and nine manufacturers' titles. For that, he deserves special thanks."

It is believed Gerhard Ungar will be wearing green team gear at the German grand prix next weekend.

Gerhard Ungar. (Photo: DTM)

Another upheaval is taking place at Ferrari.

Reports on Wednesday suggested engine boss Luca Marmorini has now vacated his office at Maranello.

"I give no comment," a spokesman for the fabled Italian marque had said at Silverstone last weekend.

"We are reorganising the various areas of our structure, and if we have something to announce, we will do so," he was quoted by Speed Week.

It is believed Ferrari will promote from within to replace Marmorini, who like departed team boss Stefano Domenicali looks to have paid the price for the team's disappointing start to the all-new V6 era.

Earlier reports said Marmorini's younger deputy Mattia Mariz would step in to replace him, but it is also reported that Lorenzo Sassi could get the job.

"Do we need to do an announcement? No. Do we need to improve? Continuous improvement, yes," team boss Marco Mattiacci told Reuters recently.

Italy's Autosprint, meanwhile, claims that three little-known engineers have started work at Ferrari after switching from F1's dominant team, Mercedes.

One of them is a "young French engineer", correspondent Alberto Antonini reported.

Luca Marmorini, Ferrari. (Photo: WRi2)

Johan de Nysschen, the former Audi executive lured away in 2012 by Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn to jumpstart the Infiniti luxury brand, is leaving the Japanese carmaker.

A Chrysler Group minority dealer development program can help diversify Maserati's dealer network, the head of both companies' dealer networks said Thursday.

Lenco Armored Vehicles produces

Bob Ferguson, the head of Cadillac since October 2012, is returning to his previous position as GM's top government lobbyist, effective immediately.

TRW is confirming it has received a preliminary and non-binding proposal to acquire the business, although it insists it is evaluating the possibility "as well as other strategic alternatives."

Ford is creating a $1 million scholarship program for engineering students in honor of former CEO Alan Mulally.

Bosch expects full-year sales to be at the top end of its target range, CEO Volkmar Denner said. Bosch has forecast revenue growth of between 3 and 5 percent for 2014.

Bosch expects full-year sales to be at the top end of its target range, CEO Volkmar Denner said. Bosch has forecast revenue growth of between 3 and 5 percent for 2014.

More than 3m Volkswagen brand passenger cars were delivered in the first half year, a new record.

Rolls-Royce had a record first half-year with sales up 33% worldwide compared with the same period in 2013.

Ford has a long-term commitment to South Africa, its regional head said, playing down any concerns about strikes that an engineering federation said had prompted the carmaker to consider pulling out of the country.

TRW has reportedly received a preliminary takeover approach from Germany's ZF Friedrichshafen AG.

What is it?

We haven't talked about Mazda RX rumors in a while, and we were getting a little nervous about the lack of speculation.