Tokyo Motor Show: Porsche Macan GTS

The Porsche Macan GTS is yet another extension of the sports softroader range and no doubt a further extension of its popularity.

As is tradition of the GTS nameplate, the Macan GTS is an upper-middle-tier variant. It takes the 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6 from the Macan S and raises outputs without nearing the loftier 3.6-litre Macan Turbo.

The 3.0-litre now produces 265kW at 6000rpm, up from 250kW, and 500Nm between 1650rpm and 4000rpm, rising from 460Nm.

Driving all four wheels through the same seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, the 0-100km/h sprint drops two-tenths comparing Macan S to Macan GTS – from 5.4 seconds or 5.2sec with the optional Sport Chrono (launch control) package, down to 5.2sec or 5.0sec with SC.

The 294kW/550Nm Macan Turbo is therefore left untouched with its 4.8sec/4.6sec SC times.

Brakes on the Macan GTS have been upgraded to the Macan Turbo’s 360mm six-piston fronts, up from the 350mm Macan S discs, though 330mm single-piston rears remain the same and are 26mm smaller than those in the Turbo.

Also as with the Macan Turbo, torque vectoring is optional on the Macan GTS and Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) is standard. Ride height drops by 15mm compared with the Macan S and there’s a unique, four-pipe sports exhaust.

Standard 20-inch RS Spyder Design alloy wheels are an inch larger than the costlier model grade, too, painted matte black to match the exterior badging and detailing.

The use of Alcantara trim has become a signature of GTS variants, and the Macan GTS gets plenty of it around the cabin along with a unique sports seat design with GTS stitching.

Although just unveiled at the Tokyo motor show, the Macan GTS is already on sale in Australia priced from $109,500 plus on-road costs.

That’s well above the $91,900 Macan S diesel, as you’d expect, falling neatly between the $93,100 Macan S and $130,300 Macan Turbo.

All three models now rise by $3800 to $4500 following the addition digital radio, lane departure warning, three-zone climate control and Porsche’s new infotainment system across the range.