So they will build the Porsche SUVlet after all. After years of on-again, off-again, Porsche confirmed that the Cajun will be built. Except that it won’t be a Cajun. It will be a Macan.
A Macan? Says Porsche in an email:
“The name Macan is derived from the Indonesian word for tiger and combines suppleness, power, fascination and dynamics – core characteristics of the new off-road car.”
Porsche Sales Chief Bernhard Maier said:
“The Macan combines all sports car characteristics with the benefits of a SUV and is a genuine Porsche. The name of a new Porsche has to fit with the brand, sound good in very many languages and dialects and evoke positive associations.”
I’m sure it does. If you speak Indonesian.
The first Macan will roll off the assembly lines in Leipzig in 2013.
Is Macan pronounced like the surname “McCann”? If so, expect the owners to leave the kids at home without a babysitter.
Or is it Macan, like bacon?
They should have just named it bacon. It would be no less silly a name. It might even sell more to men. Mmmm, Porsche Bacon…
I’m thinking VW’s influence at Porsche is now truly official. They’ve gone off the obscure model name cliff right behind the Touareg,Tiguan, Routan, Macan…what’s next? An UP! based Porsche city car called the Mbuti?
Shpeckster?
(Bertel got that)
If it is Indonesian it would be “ma-CHAN”. Not that anyone outside of Indonesia will say it that way.
No. Macon, like the city in Georgia.
Porsche must be getting infected by the marketing people at VW.
I think its pronounced “juke”.
Sigh.
So sad to witness a moment where I believe the shark jumped Porsche.
“The Macan combines all sports car characteristics with the benefits of a SUV and is a genuine Porsche.”
It’s a pity that they have to defend their product and insist that it is a “genuine Porsche”.
They have to defend everything that isn’t a 911.
I have to be honest.
The look of this is really growing on me the more that I see it.
I’m speaking, obviously, strictly in terms of exterior design.
I’m sure a lot of that styling is going to take its toll in terms of cargo room, rear seat ingress, etc.
But, she’s a looker. And that along with the Porsche badge will probably help this sell well to Ms. and Mrs. Wanabi.
Reminds me a lot of the Nissan Juke from the lead photo.
Being of Louisiana French Acadian (Cajun) heritage, I found that to be an odd choice of a name…although Native Americans used to have a number of vehicles named after their groups, communities, clans or tribes.
It would have been interesting if Porsche kept up this theme, particularly given the sensitivity of some ethnic groups, and the names used to label or describe them.
At least they weren’t thinking of calling it the “Coonass”.
Absolutely awesome! Coming from a BR native.
@Sgt Beavis: Dat’s “Mr. Coonass” to you, ya hear? :-)
@TEXN3: You’re a BR native, too? Sweet! It was fun growing up there, once you got used to the chemical plant and oil refinery pollution etching your car windows after a few years…
Macan as in Jamaican?
Macan as in makin’ bacon?
The U.S. Army uses Native American names for their helicopters. I believe they get permission from the respective tribal chief/council.
Regarding this new Porsche…will it be built on Audi’s Q3 platform and any word on the specs?
Apparently it will be on the Q5 platform (ie Audi’s MLB) rather than the Q3 (which uses a transverse-engined VW platform).
Just to be clear. The Cajun name actually made me want to own one. I could replace all the Porsche badges with Flur-de-lis and a big sticker with Sir Saint on the back window..
(^_^)
But to work well with the Cajun name, the vehicle should really run on pure ethanol… :)
Regardless, given the sales numbers of the Cayenne, we’re possibly looking at the new best selling Porsche, or at least a close second.
“we’re possibly looking at the new best selling Porsche, or at least a close second.”
Methinks you are correct. In fact, I think it will be Porsche’s sales leader given the lower price and all. What’s funny is Porsche decided that a sport’s car which slots below the Boxster/Cayman would dilute the brand *but* a smaller SUV/CUV would not.
It would be more refreshing if Porsche just said “…the Macan will bring in more money. We realize it’s not what people visualize when they hear “Porsche” but it is what people want and what they’ll pay for.”
from the picture here it looks seriously cool. Is it based on the tiguan?
yes, a tiguan with porsche running costs
that sounds great… here’s my wallet
No, not Tiguan. Audi Q5 is the closest model.
So this trophy wife soccer delivery van (hey, they even a mom and kids in their promo video) gets approved, yet it seems like the little sub Boxster roadster that would’ve had all the hallmarks of a great sports car is flailing in the wind. Sigh, it’s like watching a once proud and productive family member destroy themselves with meth, and knowing there’s nothing you can do about it except watch them decend into their shame sprial.
Well at least I finally won’t be driving the stupidest named Porsche around. I guess there’s that.
And that %56 increase in sales? SHAMEFUL! They are death spiralling into record sales and profitability. HUMILIATING! And those new nueunellfers? DISGUSTING!
I hope that Porsche had the common decency to obtain permission from those Indonesian tigers.
It doesn’t really look like a Porsche though. Is that why they have to keep on telling people that it is?
brand name, history and heritage mean nothing….build me a fun car to drive in a form factor I like and I’ll consider it for purchase.
the Macan has a high likelihood it’ll meet what I’m looking for in a small utility vehicle. It’ll be a tough call on my next car: BMW 3 wagon, Audi Avant or Porsche Macan. If the budget doesn’t allow, a Imprezza, Jetta GLI or a used version of the first three.
I’ve owned or driven extensively a MB, BMW, VW, Toyota, Acura, Honda, Hyundai, Subaru, Cadillac, Audi, Chrysler and Dodge. There is some brand preference but the prestige means nothing.
Macan whoopee!
(Peter Griffon laugh in background)
I don’t care what you call it, it is so ugly that if it was a dog, I would shave its hind end and make it walk backwards.
So it will be like a Nisan Juke, at only triple the price with a far less reliable engine???
Isn’t is a shame that the one company who should make “bullet proof” engines is becoming known for making dodgy ones with questionable reliability.
Badge whores rejoice !
It seems that according to my Indonesian friend, Macan translates to Tiger in Bahasa Indonesia. Calculated move or stroke of serendipity?
“the new off-road car”
Really?
I don’t think this would be able to handle much more than a grass parking lot