New Porsche Macan Photos Leaked or Photoshop Enhanced?

Not that we don’t know what the new Porsche Macan will look like 95 percent or minus the headlamps and taillights, which are the only pieces of the exterior puzzle missing from the prototypes, but scans purportedly sourced from an upcoming issue of Auto Motor und Sport in which the SUV is compared to its Audi Q5 cousin, are said to show the final product.

But, we're also no strangers to photoshops (minor touch ups or not) being passed on as leaked images (Car&Driver's "We Leak the 2015 Mustang" is the most recent example that comes to mind…), so we're not ready to pop the debut champagne on the Macan just yet.

Until we find more information regarding these scans, feel free to give them a good look in the gallery after the break after we remind you that the Macan's debut is scheduled to take place at next month's LA Auto Show.

Story References: AMS via ClubMulholland and Worldcarfans

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Porsche Proves That The New Macan Can Do Sand Dunes

To show people that its upcoming baby SUV is not an asphalt-only vehicle, Porsche has released a video that depicts the Macan tackling sand dunes in the United Arab Emirates.

Judging from the footage, the Macan should be a pleasure to drive on sand dunes and people living near deserts will no doubt notice that. It’s probably the main reason for which Porsche released this video, as rich customers from the Middle East will be important for the SUV’s commercial success.

The video shows the Macan accelerating through sand dunes in temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) during the car’s development process. It’s a fun video to watch, especially since it allows us to hear the nice sound of what is likely the twin-turbocharged V6 engine that will power the Macan Turbo.

As you probably already know, the Macan will be unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show next month, when the SUV will finally get rid of the Cayenne-imitating camouflage.

By Dan Mihalascu

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Porsche Just Can't Wait to Blow the Covers Off New Macan SUV, Releases Fresh Imagery

If other current and past German brand debuts are anything to go by (see the BMW 2-Series as a recent example), we're going to go out on a limb and say that Porsche may very well get its wish of pulling the covers off its new Macan earlier than expected, which is at next month's 2013 LA Auto Show.

Together with the above picture of the production Macan covered under a white sheet standing at the brand's Leipzig, Germany plant, Porsche has issued another batch of images of its compact SUV shot in various locations, including on California highways, with only the front and rear light clusters cleverly camouflaged.

Porsche began production of the new Macan at the end of summer after hiring more than 1,500 workers at Leizpig and is expected to begin shipping the SUVs worldwide by early 2014.

While purists may disagree with Porsche's expansion to more mainstream categories, truth is that models like the Macan, which is expected to become the brand's best-selling vehicle, allow the company to thrive and continue to develop hardcore supercars like the 918 Spyder.

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Porsche Looking to Enter 15 New Countries by 2020, Mostly in Africa, Plus New Macan Shots

While demand for luxury cars in Asia is still strong and growth is expected to continue for a while, automakers are aware that they must identify new markets in order to ensure growth. Take Porsche for instance, which is reportedly planning to enter 15 new countries by 2020, most of them in Africa.

“We’re covering new markets where we have not been in yet. We’re aiming to go into an additional 15 countries by the end of the decade,” Porsche’s global sales chief Bernhard Maier was quoted as saying by Bloomberg News at the Shanghai opening of the company’s largest dealership in the world.

Maier added Porsche is looking at North Africa, but didn’t say which markets are being considered. The VW-owned sports car manufacturer wants to sell more than 200,000 vehicles a year in 2015 or 2016 and expanding into new markets would help it meet its target.

Porsche is VW Group’s third-biggest “cash cow” after Audi and the VW brand. The Stuttgart-based carmaker made up €1.29 billion ($1.75 billion) of VW Group’s operating profit of €5.78 billion ($7.84 billion) in the first six months of this year.

In addition to the expansion in virgin markets, Porsche is looking for growth through new models, such as the Macan SUV. The crossover is expected to become the brand’s best-selling vehicle, as it will be cheaper than the Cayenne, Porsche’s current No. 1 car in terms of sales.

The Macan is expected to be particularly successful in relatively new markets such as China, Russia and Southeast Asian countries, with Maier saying the Macan would be used to “better exploit” all markets. Below you will find some fresh pictures of the SUV shot during the testing phase.

By Dan Mihalascu

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Porsche Teases Macan SUV Ahead of LA Show Debut with Video and Sketches

Porsche is gearing up for the premiere of its spanking new Macan SUV at the Los Angeles Auto Show (November 22 – December 1) with a fresh teaser video, a darkened photo plus two design sketches.

On the microsite Porsche launched for the Macan, the SUV is pitched as a sports car with five doors, five seats and all-wheel drive that is also “intimate with the road.” The teaser photo doesn’t reveal much except for the quad daytime running lights similar to those on the 918 Spyder.

For the rest, we have to trust the accuracy of the sketches and Porsche’s own words, as it says the Macan “has defining facial features, a dynamic front with characteristic headlights.” The front end also features large air intakes, while the side profile has a “sporty sloping roof line”. As for the rear, it is characterized by wide, imposing shoulders.

Porsche describes the overall design of the car as sleek and we have to admit the sketches look good. But as is the case (all too often) with sketches, they exaggerate the strong points of a car and minimize its weaknesses. The sketches also show the taillights will be shaped similarly to those on the 911.

The only technical details revealed are fuel economy figures that vary between 6.1 and 9.2 l/100 km (38.5 - 25.5 mpg US) and CO2 emissions (159 g/km to 216 g/km).

By Dan Mihalascu

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