I am really confused with Porsche and their strategy behind the Macans:

As far as the information goes:

At launch, Porsche will offer a Macan S with a 335-hp 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 priced at $52,000, and a Macan Turbo with a 3.6-liter twin-turbo V6 rated at 394 hp priced at $75,000.

When you consider that the Panamera S/4S uses, I assume, the SAME 3.0 TT V6 with 420hp, why did Porsche see the need to use a 3.6 TT V6 for the higher 394hp Macan Turbo.

It appears that the Macan S simply uses a detuned version of the Panamera's 3.0 TT V6 correct? Why didn't Porsche simply use the same 3.0 TT V6 "Panamera" tune on the Macan Turbo. They would have saved so much money from going to the 3.6, and simplified production.

If it were me, I would simply buy a Macan S, save $23,000 off the base price and get an aftermarket ECU flash to bring up the power to at least the same 420hp as the Panamera 3.0 TT V6. Doesn't that make more sense? I am sure Porsche knows this.

Thoughts?

 

You certainly have a point there, but I think Porsche wanted to seperate the Turbo more from the S and they had that 3.6 in development anyways.
The 3.6 offers more torque and leaves room for a Macan Turbo S, with an additional 30-50hp. Besides that, I think that engine will replace the V8 in the next Cayenne S and GTS.

Personally I would still buy the Turbo. The price difference will be less than it seems in the end, because it will probably come with more options as standard and the Turbo also looks different, more agressive.
Besides that, I would not want an aftermarket ECU flash. You'll lose the warranty.

OTOH, I can definitely understand that people would rather go for the Macan S.

 

Turbo will probably have more options packaged as standard, maybe? Unique color combo? Also cosmetic differences.

 

Well I'll be ordering a Turbo .. ECU upgrades are a PIA for warranty ..

 

I will have to wait and see the standard options on the Turbo, but I agree, that's a steep price hike for not much noticeable hp (keep in mind, these cars are not 911's - who really drives the snot out of SUV's anyways?), especially for those who are okay in tuning their cars. I would like to know what differences there are with the Panamera's 3.0 TT V6. If there were different camshafts, stroke sizes ect. then maybe you can't just do a simple ECU flash to Paneamera levels.
Appearance is another thing to consider too. But I'm sure I'll be satisfied with an S, if I want to go faster I'll just go in my 911!

Since this isn't a sports car, I'll be putting the money I save by getting an S into more options, which will be used more than the hp IMO

 

Using the Macan "S" and "Turbo" Prices with the Cayenne "S" and "Turbo" options sheet as a guide (makes more sense than using a Panamera or 911 guide), you can guesstimate that a Macan "S" with the standard features the "Turbo" offers, is $10k (could be less of a gap depending on standard wheel options), cheaper than the "S."

 

I am following the Macan news closely, we'll know the pricing (I hope) in 17 days. If Cayenne pricing model remains valid for Macan, I will splurge and get the Turbo at $75,000 with no options from the factory (ok, maybe wheels).

Besides the better engine and looks, I will also have better resale down the road. Again, only if the standard options on Macan Turbo follow the model from Cayenne Turbo.

--Sebis