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Porsche’s long-awaited reveal of a Macan update has been made, and it’s a mixed bag. First, the Macan Turbo will be dropped from the 2022 lineup. Instead, the Macan GTS is getting a major facelift, new interior features, an upgrade in power, and rugged new technology to fill the gap.

The 2021 Porsche Macan Turbo is unnecessarily fast

The chrome Porsche Macan Turbo badging on a dark blue SUV
Porsche Macan Turbo on stage during the Porsche Macan Turbo badge | Patrick T. Fallon/Bloomberg via Getty Images

The 2021 Porsche Macan Turbo luxury SUV starts at $53,450. It offers a V6 twin-turbo that puts out 348 hp. This beast accelerates from zero to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds. Car and Driver dubbed this acceleration “objectively necessary for an SUV,” and it’s hard to disagree. That doesn’t make it less impressive.

The interior has been criticized for not matching the high-end price tag. The rear seat is tight and doesn’t offer much elbow room. The Macan wasn’t built for cargo. The rear storage space is small. The interior is generally light on places to store and organize gear.

Passengers enjoy a smooth and comfortable ride while drivers are treated to a stable and controlled experience. The Epa estimates that the Macan gets 19 mpg city and 23 mpg highway. This isn’t a vehicle buyers chose for fuel economy, but the mileage is better than other Porsche SUVs such as the Urus.

The Turbo is dropped to make room for a more powerful GTS

A blue Porsche Macan Turbo SUV on display
Porsche Macan turbo | VCG/VCG via Getty Images

Rumors of a surprise Macan update have been circulating, and Porsche has not failed to deliver. The automaker has announced it will be dropping the Macan Turbo and releasing a complete redesign for the GTS model. This is only the second redesign the GTS has received since its debut in 2014.

The update will see the GTS powered by the Turbo’s 2.9-liter V-6—rated for 434 horses and 406 lb-ft. In addition, Porsche hinted at some changes under the hood. For example, an optional sport package will offer torque vectoring.

The 2022 Macan GTS will feature an all-new air suspension. It will allow the SUV to be raised by 0.4 inches in sport mode. This mode makes the front springs 10% firmer and the rear 15% firmer. In addition, an upgraded ECU delivers 33.4 psi of boost pressure.

Dramatic new styling gives the GTS

An interior shot of the steering wheel and dashboard of a Porsche Macan
Porsche Macan interior | Sjoerd van der Wal via Getty Images

The Macan is also slated for significant updates to exterior styling and interior features. This significant redesign will give the GTS a more aggressive, sportier look. The front grille got a darker make-over. Front air intakes were redesigned, and the bumper looks new as well.

Inside the Macan, GTS has a new digital instrument cluster. In addition, a 10.9-inch infotainment system replaces the 7.0-inch version in the current GTS model. Unfortunately, the newly redesigned GTS will see a hike in price, starting at $72,100, and will debut in late July.

Dropping the Turbo option from the 2023 Macan lineup is an interesting move, and the GTS is certainly due for a redesign. Will a newly refreshed GTS replace the Macan Turbo, or will buyers miss the lower-priced option? With the popularity of off-road adventure, the sportier new GTS may prove to be the perfect summer release.

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