2019 Porsche Macan revealed in Shanghai

The facelifted Porsche Macan has been unveiled in Shanghai with new tech in an otherwise familiar-looking package.

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The design changes are typically evolutionary, with the most noticeable exterior differences being the front and rear lighting, which includes ice-cube style LED headlights, and a more subtle front fog-lamp strip.

The front end itself has been re-worked to appear wider than the current model, but it’s the tweaked rear-end that makes this model stand out, not least because of the three-dimensional LED tail light strip – as found on other models including the 911 GTS and Panamera. The four-point design of the brake lights also reflects the brand’s identity.

Inside, the most obvious change is the bigger 11-inch full-HD infotainment screen, shared with Panamera and the new Cayenne.

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The air vents have also been redesigned and repositioned below the screen, but some elements of the pre-facelift model remain, including the familiar gauge and rows of buttons on either side of the gear shifter.

An optional GT sports steering wheel adds some 911 styling dynamics with its integrated driving mode switch and ‘sports response button’.

Porsche has extended the list of comfort options to include a heated windscreen and an ioniser to improve the air quality in the interior.

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New exterior colours such as ‘Miami Blue’, ‘Mamba Green Metallic’, ‘Dolomite Silver Metallic’ and ‘Crayon’ combined with new interior packages provide a host of new ways to customise the Macan.

Unseen changes include the addition of traffic jam assist with adaptive cruise control which helps stop, start and steer the SUV in slow-moving traffic.

Porsche says the chassis has also been optimised to provide additional comfort while maintaining its sharp handling. Interestingly, the release notes say nothing about improved off-road handling, as hinted with recent teaser images of the new Macan trekking through the highlands of Southern Africa.

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The Macan still features mixed tyres with different widths on the front and rear axles, as with Porsche sports cars, to take full advantage of the all-wheel drive Porsche Traction Management (PTM).

The system has been enhanced by the availability of new tyres with “improved performance characteristics”, wrapped around new 20- and 21-inch wheel designs that provide even more scope to customise the design.

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Powertrain information is yet to be outlined. Further technical details are expected to be revealed later in a separate announcement.

The 2019 Porsche is due to arrive in Australia during the first half of 2019. Aussie specifications and pricing will be revealed closer to the local launch.