ENGINEERS at German automotive brand Porsche are forever pushing the boundaries to make a great car even greater. This is also true of the Macan GTS.

For the uninitiated, GTS means Gran Turismo Sport. Whereas GTS originally meant additional comfort in a sports car, it eventually morphed into a label for a sportier driving experience. Today, all Porsche models are available in an extra-sporty GTS variant that features an array of trim details.

Last month, a handful of journalists from the twin-island republic of Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica were given unfettered access to a 2022 papaya-metallic coloured Macan GTS at an event dubbed Miami-Naples Experience held in Florida.

Angel Luis Colon — regional sales manager and exclusive manufacture manager at Porsche Latin America, Inc — spoke to the Jamaica Observer‘s weekly Auto magazine about the iconic SUV.

“The Macan GTS is just an amazing car…the performance, the handling, the sound of that vehicle are amazing. Porsche is known for stability, performance and security and you get all of that in the Macan,” said Colon.

Looking at the Macan GTS, there’s no mistaking it for any other vehicle than a Porsche. The Macan GTS is a five-door SUV with a sports car character. Its distinct lines and pronounced rear shoulders bear the DNA of its iconic relative, the 911. And, rightly so…as the Macan GTS is most definitely a sports car.

Its roofline tapers to the rear like that of a coupé, creating a sports car contour with high aerodynamic quality. The Macan’s LED strip tail light check the boxes of form and functionality.

Inside, the sporty front seats convey the authentic Macan feel: sitting high above the road, yet still closely connected to it. The seating position is extremely comfortable for long journeys, thanks to the optional 14-way Power Seats with Memory Package, or 18-way Adaptive Sport Seats with Memory Package.

The three-spoke Sport Steering Wheel is inspired by the design of the 918 Spyder — and an established motorsport principle of keeping your hands on the wheel. Gear changes are ergonomic, fast and sporty, using the two gear shift paddles.

The elegant cockpit boasts a 10.9-inch touchscreen display used for the Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system. The design features a full-HD resolution and a start screen that can be personalised.

The Porsche Macan GTS gives the perfect excuse to be on the road, as it heightens the driving experience. The 2.9-litre twin-turbo charged V6 engine effortlessly and quietly makes light work of the road pushing 434 horse power.

The Macan GTS ‘lifts off’ from zero to six in 4.1 seconds and reaches a top speed of 169 mph (271.9 km/h). All Macans come standard with a seven-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.

The Macan GTS is responsive and handles excellently in corners.

“So you have a 400 horse power Macan GTS which comes with quite a few sporting options and aesthetic options to make it look even sportier. And when you combine that in a small SUV, you have an all-round performance SUV that — same as the 911 — you can go do groceries in and, if you’re up to it, you can take that car to a track day and have some fun. You can put that car in ‘Sports Plus’ mode. It’s gonna give you an adrenaline rush that most SUVs on the market today cannot,” said Colon.

“So when you compare it with the competitor, hands down we offer better security, better performance numbers. In my opinion, it’s one of the better-looking SUVs on the market and it has the reliability of the Porsche and the brand name of Porsche,” Colon continued.

And, we certainly agree!