Aug 26, 2015 7:46:10 AM
- rulesdontapply
- Pilot
- Loc: Kuwait , Kuwait
- Posts: 462, Gallery
- Registered on: Jan 22, 2010
Porsche Macan vs. Jaguar F-Pace
Battles, Part II: now featuring the imminent Jaguar F-Pace.
We all know [and some of us love] the Macan and how solid of a product it is, but as someone with an affinity for the Jaguar brand [an unending love affair of and with the E-Type will do that to you], I've had a close eye on the forthcoming F-Pace SUV ever since Jaguar showed their C-X17 concept off in Frankfurt in 2013. Let's face it, when Jaguar shows a concept, it's indirectly ready for production and needs a few tiny tweaks [hello F-Tpye/C-X16].
As you may know, the F-Pace is being pitched as a direct competitor to the Macan. Jaguar's press blasts have liberally used terms like "driving engagement", "feel" and "performance" to really get their point across and seeing that they'll be breaking into a market populated with Macans, X3s and Q5s, they've got their work cut out for them especially since this is their first crack at it.
In my opinion, signs are looking good for the F-Pace. It's based on a lightweight new platform [iQAl aluminum intensive architecture with double wishbones and integral link suspensions as well as confirmation that F-Type-tested innovations will be going into the chassis] used by the new XE/XF in the same way the Macan is based on the MLB car platform, will offer a range of new engines [Ingenium diesels from the get go, all-new petrols due in 2016], the lovely supercharged V6 is confirmed and brand directors have already said that the JLR V8 can fit into the car's nose and is definitely coming in R/SVR trim soon. I've scrutinized every spy shot and can tell the car will have the option of full-LED headlights, JLR's usual spate of driver technologies like a head-up display and collision avoidance systems as well as an 8-inch InControl Touch interface [possibly even the 10.2 InControl Touch Pro... which might blow the competition away. Tested it in the new XF, lovely system] and 12.3-inch TFT instrument cluster... You get the idea. Top it off with what I think is an incredibly sharp design inspired by the gorgeous F-Type and it looks like Jaguar might be onto a winner.
I hate to say it, but I think the Macan might be stuffed. Old technologies [soon-to-be antiquated touchscreen when the 991.2/981.2/next Panamera launch within the next 12-18 months], not enough innovations [no LED headlights yet, no PDCC], a limited range [where the Hell are the Macan GTS and Turbo S models?] a dull soundtrack [come on guys... turbocharging doesn't have to be a death sentence for engine noise and even with the PSE the Macan sounds very drone-y] and not enough practicality in an overweight-for-its-size package? The Porsche name may have cachet and draw but if Porsche wants to remain on top of the white-hot compact SUV pile, they need to step their game up pronto.
Thoughts?
rulesdontapply
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2008 Porsche Boxster S PDE2
2012 Porsche Cayenne S [gone but never forgotten]