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Alex has written for Vanity Fair, Barrons, Bloomberg and Condé…
Porsche’s new compact SUV is to be called the Porsche Macan, derived from the Indonesian word for ‘tiger’, the luxury German automaker confirmed February 16. Releasing the first teaser sketch and video for the model, Porsche also confirmed that it will begin production in 2013 as the fifth Porsche model line, following in the footsteps of the larger Cayenne SUV.
The firm’s first impressions show a low, sleek model which is known to be based on the Audi Q5 platform, with a sportier styling and premium interior.
It is believed that the model will feature 2.0 and 3.0 liter gasoline and diesel engines, slightly more powerful than those in the Audi Q5, with a Macan Turbo S also expected to follow, possibly alongside a hybrid model.
In a statement, Porsche said that the animal roots of the name Macan, which is derived from Indonesian language, reflected the model’s characteristics such as “suppleness, power, fascination and dynamics.”
Its introduction is likely to mark the start of a turf war between Porsche and Maserati, which introduced its own (admittedly larger) Kubang SUV last year.
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Alex has written for Vanity Fair, Barrons, Bloomberg and Condé Nast Traveler.