Porsche Removes a Turbo, Adds 8 HP to Refreshed Macan S

The 2019 Porsche Macan is getting the once-over from Porsche and they’ve just announced the updates we can expect from the new Macan S. With a new 3.0-liter single turbo engine producing 348 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque, the new Macan S is a little better, a little faster, a little stronger, and easier to drive, according to Porsche.

The marquee change for the S is that it’s going from a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 to a 3.0-liter V6 with a single, twin-scroll turbocharger in the middle of the V.

The hot V configuration allows Porsche to use less piping, which means less weight and more importantly less distance for the air to travel before getting into the engine. That means more power and less lag. The new Macan S’s engine makes 8 more hp than its predecessor and as a result, it gets to 60 mph in as little as 4.9 seconds (a 0.1-second improvement over the outgoing model).

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The Macan also gets bigger brakes (10 mm bigger and 36 mm wider), but that’s not the only change you’re likely to notice. In addition to shortening the lever connecting the brake pedal to the master cylinder, they’ve also lightened the pedal, so it should feel more precise and direct under your toes.

It’s not all about power (stopping or otherwise), though. Porsche has also removed some unsprung weight by making the front axle’s strut forks out of aluminum instead of steel. That makes the front end a little more precise and a little more comfortable, to boot, says Porsche.

A newly tuned anti-roll bar also helps make steering more neutral, while staggered wheels help the front end grip a little better.

Customers can also choose Porsche’s new GT Sport steering wheel. The wheel is from 911 and adds a mode switch button for all your spirited driving needs.

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Like the updated 2.0-liter Macan, this new Macan S gets LED headlights and the new “continuous LED lightbar” at the back as standard and Porsche’s Dynamic Light System Plus as an option. It also gets all of the visual updates that came were first shown on the base model.

Comfort is a focus for this update, too, so Porsche has added Porsche Communication Management, which includes a 10.9-inch touchscreen (nearly four inches bigger than the outgoing model’s) as well as intelligent voice control.

An ionizer has also been added to ensure that the air doesn’t bother your nostrils and Traffic Jam Assist to make sure that traffic doesn’t bother your nerves.

The Macan S starts at $59,650 (destination included) in the U.S. and excited customers can start the ordering process right now.

A version of this article first appeared on luxury4play.com