#2020 Porsche Macan Powertrain

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2020 Porsche Macan Interiors, Exteriors and Release Date

2020 Porsche Macan Interiors, Exteriors and Release Date

If you’re a fan of smaller SUVs with fantastic ability and superb treatment, then the 2020 Porsche Macan is one of the ideal choices. Macan supplies a mixture of utility and performance also it includes all-wheel-drive installation as conventional. More over, Macan includes an extensive line up of drive-trains and you can find just five available models. Next, to the bottom version, you are able…

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Why 2021 Is Shaping Up To Be A Pivotal Year For Electric Vehicles

Electric cars and trucks are the future, and yearly we have actually seen automakers include more EVs to their schedule. Every person is dealing with electric lorries, from reputable existing makers to brand-new names such as Byton, Lordstown, as well as Rivian.

BMW's very first "i" automobiles, the i3 and also i8, depended upon wild, futuristic styles to make a declaration. The following model in the electrical sub-brand has even more standard styling, as it's planned to be similar to the 4-series Gran Sports Car four-door hatchback. BMW has currently announced that the i4 will have 530 hp as well as an 80 kWh battery pack.

The Canoo pickup assures 600 horse power and 200 miles of array. It's smaller than what's normally located in the mid-size pickup section, being 2 feet shorter than the Ford Ranger. Canoo states its pickup will be provided with a six-to-eight-foot pickup bed as well as that it will certainly be available for pre-order mid-2021, with production beginning in 2023.

Canoo is checking a registration service that would enable customers to use as well as pay for the EV just when it's required, like Netflix. Canoo claims this little bus will have a series of 250 miles and also 300 horse power. Information on registration cost or preliminary cost haven't been revealed yet, yet expect more information as we get closer to 2022.

The Future Of Transportation Is Autonomous & Electric

Building off its storied best-selling history and recent collaboration with Rivian, Ford is seeking to make an all-electric version of the F-150 pickup, and it'll be called Lightning. The company wishes it will certainly be robust sufficient to stay clear of estranging its central consumer base while likewise attracting new buyers thinking about possessing a pickup without the carbon footprint of a gasoline engine.

Aston Martin has relaunched the Lagonda name as an all-electric luxury brand for the upper crust. Its wagon hull trips on the same platform as the Aston Martin DBX, which makes us wonder exactly how close an electric DBX is from production. Aston employer Andy Palmer informed us that he expects electric designs to have efficiency comparable to the brand's gas matchings which he expects greater than 300 miles in between check outs to the plug.

Although Lexus is a little late to the party, the luxury brand has announced it will eventually offer an EV drivetrain called Direct 4. It showcased an SUV model with the technology in 2020, with front and also rear electric motors that create 201 horse power and 221 pound-feet of torque each. Total result is unknown. Although the model cars evaluating Direct 4 are likely extremely pre-production test-mules, we anticipate the actual point to be a compact crossover that's close to the Lexus NX in size.

Lotus is planning on making another track-ready carbon-fiber car, but in a twist, which it makes 1254 lb-ft of, it'll be all-wheel drive, make an absurd 1972 horsepower, and (gasp) will be an EV. Lotus is intending to call this monster the Evija, and only 130 will be made, at a rate of $2.1 million each. There's no word on what array can be anticipated, however Lotus claims that it can bill up to 80 percent in 12 minutes many thanks to ultrafast charging rates.

The Future Of Transportation Is Autonomous & Electric

Mercedes-Benz's new EV lineup will be referred to as the EQ family. The Mercedes-Benz EQA, the company's smallest electric portable SUV, was exposed previously this year in Europe-spec kind. The Euro variation of the EQA has 187 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque and also starting at around $57,000. Mercedes-Benz recommended an EQA in the U.S. could have four-wheel drive with around 280 horsepower.

The Mercedes-Benz EQC400 4Matic, Mercedes's first electric automobile, is a compact crossover with an estimated range of 200 miles. Mercedes-Benz revealed in February 2021 that they had decided to not supply the EQC in the United States, in the meantime.

The Pininfarina Battista is an 1873-horsepower EV coupe that uses Rimac's carbon chassis and EV powertrain. It's an EV hypercar, and last year completed its initial high-speed test at the Nardo examination track in Italy with one of nine of its models. Anticipate a price over $2 million, but do not anticipate to ever before see one at your neighborhood. Shipments are claimed to start later in 2021.

Porsche recently announced that the next generation of its Macan crossover will go full electric. The Porsche Macan EV will certainly be based upon the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) platform that is being co-developed with Audi. It will certainly have the same 800-volt technology as the next Taycan and also will possibly share its electrical motors and also battery packs, also. Porsche intends to begin production of the Macan EV in 2022.

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Electric Cars: What To Expect Between 2020 And 2030

Volvo already sells a 402-hp XC40 Recharge with 208 miles of range. The C40 shares the exact same powertrain as the XC40 Recharge, with 2 electrical motors as well as 75.0-kWh battery pack. It's likewise the same powertrain the Polestar 2 usages. Volvo estimates the C40 to have an EPA-rated driving variety of 210 miles. We anticipate pricing to begin around $55,000, with even more details about the C40 Recharge to come when production starts later in 2021.

Electric Vehicles

Pick-up trucks and also SUVs packing battery packs rather of gas engine will soon be rolling off assembly line en masse, reprising the American automotive landscape with daily they're on sale. So to keep tabs on all the cool new EVs coming down the pike, we have actually placed together this summary of the ones we recognize concerning that have us most excited.

The Chevy Bolt hatchback is receiving for a refresh in 2021, but its crossover twin, the Bolt EUV, is the far more exciting proposition. Well, calling it a crossover is maybe a stretch; it's FWD-only, and also uses little in the way of extra ground clearance or added elevation. Still, it's somewhat easier to obtain in as well as out of than the Screw, looks a lot better, goes 250 miles on a charge, supplies semi-autonomous Super Cruise ship as well as starts at $35K with location.

Electric Vehicles And The Future Of Transportation

Lordstown Stamina (2021). The Stamina is implied as a work truck for commercial customers, however that does not indicate we can not obtain thrilled regarding it. Besides, it has four hub-mounted electrical motors making greater than 600 combined horses, can reportedly take a trip 250 miles on a charge, and will begin at $45,000 after the tax obligation credit.

Nissan's Ariya (note the punctuation, it's not like the Video game of Thrones personality) can be the electric SUV the mainstream has been awaiting. FWD or AWD as well as as much as 389 hp join a lot of the EV techniques and also deals with Nissan developed for the Fallen leave, like the e-Pedal feature that makes one-pedal driving a breeze.

Electric Vehicles

Cadillac's future is electric; if it doesn't succeed, the brand might not have a future. The choice to give its EVs names finishing with "-iq" might have appeared better on paper, where it reminds people of "intelligence quotient," than it performs in practice, where it seems like "ick" however there's no saying that the crossover-cum-station wagon Lyriq could be a smash struck as soon as you get past the name.

The Future Of Transportation Is Autonomous & Electric

Chevrolet Corvette EV (2022). We've understood for a while that the eighth-generation Corvette would likely go hybrid; that frunk, as it turns out, is ideal for an electrical motor to drive the front wheels. But it likewise appears that Chevy is dealing with an all-electric Corvette. None besides Joe Biden discussed as much, declaring that it can do 200 miles per hr.

Ford F-150 Lightning (2022). Two-thirds of the Big 3 will be relocating right into the electrical truck realm in the future, as well as the Ford F-150 will likely be the first one there. The carmaker has made no secret of it, going so much as to disclose when it'll go on sale (mid-2022), what will certainly power it (two electrical motors), and also what kind of power it will certainly make (greater than any various other F-150 currently for sale).

Electric Vehicles Are The U.s. Auto Industry's Future

Maserati MC20 EV (2022). Maserati's brand-new supercar is a dynamo of internal-combustion splendor, but it'll also be available in an all-electric version come 2022.

Tesla Roadster (2022). Tesla hasn't offered a Roadster in more than a decade, ever before since the Lotus-based lorry that released the business faded away to include its very own in-house-developed designs. Currently, the Roadster is established to return as well as if also half of Elon Musk's usually broad promises become a reality, it'll be an auto to wow the globe.

The Future Of Cars Is Electric – But How Soon Is This Future?

Volkswagen ID.Buzz (2022). Ask a lot of Americans to name some legendary VWs, as well as probabilities are good Bus would certainly be the 2nd word out of the typical individual's lips. The iconic VW Type 2, as it was formally known, is set to get a spiritual rebirth come 2022 as an all-electric minivan.

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The Future Of Cars Is Electric – But How Soon Is This Future?

However what electrical cars and trucks are coming? Allow's take a more detailed consider what you can expect to see striking the roads in the next couple of years. The Renault Megane E-Tech Electric relocates into a bigger sector to give you a little bit more area inside compared to the Zoe, while packaging in a 160k, W electric motor and 60kWh battery pack.

Electric Cars: What To Expect Between 2020 And 2030

Ford is revealing the electric variation of the F-150 on 19 Might, offering it the name Lightning. Ford had formerly claimed it would certainly be the most effective F-150 it's ever before generated, with the capability to utilize the battery as a mobile power supply. Expected to sit on VW's PPE platform, it has actually long been known that Porsche was going to make the Macan an EV - as well as a prototype has actually been out in testing.

Bentley has verified that an electrical SUV in the works as well as is most likely to be a beneficary of the Audi Artemis system that's in advancement. Little else is known, but it will be one more high luxury model for the most discerning customers. Genesis Electric motor - the high-end arm of Hyundai - has introduced its European launch, as well as encouraging 3 electric models over the next year.

Electric Vehicles

The VW ID.5 is anticipated to supply the same spec as the VW ID.4, yet with a sportback, a going down rear roofline for those who want something a lot more coupe as well as much less SUV in design. Launched at Car Shanghai, the Mercedes EQB is a key version for China, supplying seating for 7.

The Toyota concept presents a new system - shown Subaru - with the guarantee of solar charging to cover up the battery. Nothing has really been exposed, yet Toyota is rather late to the electrical car party, having actually been a leading pressure in hybrids.

The Future Of Transportation Is Autonomous & Electric

The Kia EV6 complies with the Hyundai Ioniq 5, sharing the exact same platform, but with Kia having its own spin. There's two battery choices, 58 or 77. The majority of the talk will likely have to do with the EV6 GT, nevertheless, which sets the bigger battery with four-wheel drive, for blistering efficiency, with a 0-62mph time of 3.5 secs. It will be available in late 2021.

Electric Vehicles Are The U.s. Auto Industry's Future

Land Rover is making sweeping adjustments to its business over the following few years - as well as that's resulted in the reveal of a new future platfrom - EMA. This platform has been confirmed to underpin the Exploration Sport and the Evoque and it's developed for electric cars, tip that those will both launch as electrical cars.

Arguably, the C40 is Volvo's first bespoke electrical vehicle - omitting the adapted XC40 Recharge - which's an interesting prospect. It has a 78kWh battery, guarantees 260 miles of variety as well as it comes with limitless information. That's right, Volvo wants the Android-based system in this car to be always connected, so it's removed the stress over where that link comes from.

Battery Electric Vehicle

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is the very first in a new series of electrical automobiles from the company, sliding right into the prominent crossover area. There will be selections of 58 or 72.6 kWh batteries, with back or all-wheel drive. It gets a fresh brand-new layout, with a level floor as well as sliding centre console - we believe this is mosting likely to be a large seller.

Smooth layout enhances this sporting activities coupe, while the back entrances include a sense of functionality, like the Taycan which shares the exact same platform. A 93kWh battery rests in both the routine and also the RS version of this vehicle, promising blistering efficiency. It will cost from 79,000 as well as be offered throughout 2021.

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2020 Porsche Macan GTS review: Emphasis on performance

New Post has been published on https://appradab.com/2020-porsche-macan-gts-review-emphasis-on-performance-5/

2020 Porsche Macan GTS review: Emphasis on performance

The GTS looks great in Carmine Red.

Steven Ewing/Roadshow

At this point, GTS in Porsche parlance should just stand for Get This Spec. The company’s GTS-badged cars strike the best balance between outright performance and daily drivability, and that’s as true in this 2020 Macan as it is in any 718, 911, Cayenne or Panamera. I’ve driven the S and I’ve driven the Turbo, but the GTS is the Macan I’d park in my garage.

Like

Outstanding chassis balance

Sports car-like steering

Sonorous sport exhaust

Robust infotainment tech

Don’t Like

Twin-turbo V6 lacks character

Gets expensive in a hurry

The GTS uses a detuned version of the 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 from the Macan Turbo. Here, the engine produces 375 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque — noticeable reductions compared to the Turbo’s 434 hp and 405 lb-ft. But on the road, you’d have a hard time noticing the difference. This engine lacks visceral drama, though I think that’s less egregious when the associated output numbers are lower. The GTS at least makes up for this somewhat with a standard sport exhaust, which adds some sonority to the powertrain’s buttoned-up demeanor.

Porsche says the GTS can accelerate to 60 mph in as little as 4.5 seconds with the optional Sport Chrono package, which is 0.4 seconds slower than the Macan Turbo. I genuinely don’t believe that less-than-half-a-second discrepancy is something anyone can feel during daily driving on public roads. And since the engine’s torque is fully available from just 1,750 rpm, there’s never a lack of urgency to the GTS’ acceleration, whether pulling away from a stoplight or just trying to shoot the gap between slower cars on the highway.

The seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox is always up for an impromptu downshift via the steering wheel-mounted paddles, and the Sport and Sport Plus modes — the latter is part of the $1,360 Sport Chrono package — alter the throttle and transmission programming just enough to liven up the Macan’s character. You could drive the GTS in Sport mode all day, every day without it ever feeling high-strung, while Sport Plus is best left for tighter sections of winding roads where you’ll want to take advantage of its tendency to hold gears up near the engine’s redline.

The GTS’ powertrain is fine, but the chassis, steering and brakes really make this Macan feel special. Porsche’s adaptive air suspension comes standard and can lower the Macan by 10 millimeters in Sport and Sport Plus modes. Porsche’s Active Suspension Management (PASM) dampers are a perfect match to the air-ride system, delivering a smooth ride on broken pavement while keeping the GTS taut and composed on smooth stretches of canyon roads. Even with my tester’s upsized 21-inch wheels and staggered 265/40 front and 295/35 rear tires, the Macan never feels too stiff or too floaty for any given scenario. Honestly, the ride quality might be the GTS’ single best attribute.

These 21-inch wheels and low-profile ties don’t ruin the GTS’ ride.

Steven Ewing/Roadshow

Porsche always gets its cars’ steering right, and the Macan GTS is no exception. The weight and communication on offer are more akin to that of a 718 Cayman than any other compact SUV, with a right-sized steering wheel adorned with only a few redundant controls. My tester has Porsche’s Surface Coated Brakes (PSCB), which were kind of bad when they first launched on the Cayenne, but have since been reworked with new pads, better pedal feel and a more progressive stopping experience. Now, these brakes are quite good and reduce dust buildup on the wheels. Whether they’re worth the $3,490 upgrade over the perfectly fine standard steel brakes, though, is hard to say.

One option worth adding is Porsche’s brake-based torque-vectoring tech, for $1,500. This ability to modulate power from side to side at the rear axle improves the Macan’s cornering reflexes, making this already-sharp little crossover even more entertaining. You’ll never feel it working, but you’ll find it easier to keep up with smaller, more powerful sports cars on mountain roads.

Going for the GTS gets you the Sport Design exterior treatment, with black-painted exterior accents, LED headlights and a darker tint to the rear taillight bar. Inside, you get sport seats wrapped in leather, though you can have the whole cabin done up in Alcantara suede with Carmine Red stitching as part of the $4,790 GTS Interior Package. Like all Macans, the GTS is plenty comfortable for driver and passenger up front, but the rear seats are awfully small, even by compact SUV measurements.

The PCM infotainment tech is new but the rest of the interior is showing its age.

Steven Ewing/Roadshow

The Macan got a welcome tech upgrade as part of a refresh in 2018 and now runs Porsche’s Communication Management infotainment software on a 10.9-inch touchscreen. PCM continues to impress with its quick responses to inputs, online search tools, bright graphics and reconfigurable home screen. A Wi-Fi hotspot and Apple CarPlay are standard, but Android Auto is still a no-go. Too bad.

Look below the touchscreen, though, and you’ll find a sea of controls on the console — a reminder that the Macan is a bit older than Porsche’s other models. Sure, the rows of buttons are clearly labeled and easy to use, they just look outdated, especially compared to the flush, backlit designs of Porsche’s newer products.

I’d love to tell you about all of the Macan’s standard driver-assistance features, but as is the case with every Porsche, all the good stuff costs extra and is available a la carte. A surround-view camera is $1,200. You can buy lane-change assist and lane-keeping assist for $700 apiece, or just spend $1,380 and get them as part of a bundle. Adaptive cruise control comes in for an additional $1,170, and if you want freaking keyless entry, that’s an extra $800, too. Sheesh.

The Macan is hands-down the best-driving compact luxury SUV.

Steven Ewing/Roadshow

There are myriad options available for the Macan GTS, so its $73,450 starting price (including $1,350 for destination) is just that: the start. My Carmine Red tester is a German-spec model that Porsche flew over for testing, so I don’t have an exact price for the SUV you see here. Playing around to the best of my ability on Porsche’s configurator, I’m going to guesstimate an as-tested price of $94,000 out the door, give or take a few Benjamins.

If you compare price tags, the Macan GTS is sort of a hard sell against competitors like the BMW X3 M40i or Mercedes-AMG GLC43, both of which can be nicely equipped for less than the Porsche’s starting MSRP. But the Macan — especially the GTS — is the best-driving, best-balanced SUV of the bunch and handily punches above its weight. If performance is a priority, you definitely get what you pay for. 

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The Best Compact Crossovers—No Matter Your Budget

What are the best compact crossovers? That’s precisely the question we’ve attempted to tackle here, highlighting 10 different models across a range of budgets.

It’s a long and meandering road that has brought us to the current trend for these compact crossovers. The desire for truck utility and car comfort isn’t new, and the first attempt to fill that niche came nearly a century ago in the form of the station wagon, which served families well for decades. But folks are fickle, and the ‘80s saw the wagon fall out of favor, as first the minivan, then the SUV became the go-to choice for families needing to haul kids, groceries, and gear.

Crossing from SUV to Crossover

But SUVs have some drawbacks to go along with their rugged appearance and capability. A vehicle that does well off-road doesn’t usually ride well on pavement, and heavy trucks with aggressive 4-wheel-drive (4WD) systems generally don’t get great mileage. Those are big compromises when the vast majority of SUVs never leave the pavement, and they provided the perfect opportunity for the arrival of a new station wagon in disguise—the compact crossover. 

If you want to cross over to crossovers, the market currently offers so many that it can be a daunting prospect. Here, we’ll recommend great buys at a number of price points, so you can ensure you’ll get the most for your crossover cash. 

$10,000 and Less

Fourth-generation Kia Sportage (2015 – present)

If you want to grab a compact crossover for less than 10 grand, you’re going to have to go back a few years, making a warranty more important than ever. With its impressive 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, you’re guaranteed to get more than a few years out of even a well-used Kia Sportage. And while the Sportage can be a little cramped when it comes to cargo space, your passengers will have more than enough room.

Search for a 4th-gen Kia Sportage on CarGurus

Second-generation Nissan Rogue (2014 – present)

The Nissan Rogue has been chastised for its lackluster engine and transmission, but things aren’t as bad as they seem. Auto journalists are notoriously picky about drivetrains, but if you give the Rogue a spin and aren’t bothered, you’ll be rewarded with a crossover that does nearly everything else right. 

Search for a 2nd-gen Nissan Rogue on CarGurus

$10,000 – $20,000

Fifth-generation Honda CR-V (2017 – present)

The Honda CR-V might be the most well-balanced crossover on this list. It’s easy to find vehicles that get better gas mileage, handle better, haul more, or drive faster, but finding one that does all those things as well as the CR-V is a challenge. Look to the turbocharged 1.5-liter engine for a little extra oomph, as the base engine prior to 2020 isn;t strong, especially with a full load. 

Search for a 5th-gen Honda CR-V on CarGurus

First-generation Infiniti QX30 (2017-2019)

A Mercedes GLA in disguise, the Infiniti QX30 wraps a Mercedes platform and powertrain in a unique and attractive shape. Its unusual design can make for a tight fit for passengers and interesting rear visibility, but the QX30 slips effortlessly through city traffic and looks great doing it. Discontinued for 2020, deals can be found on some examples from this car’s three model years, but pay special attention to the transmission. It seems neither Mercedes nor Infiniti got the shift points just right. 

Search for a 1st-gen Infiniti QX30 on CarGurus

$20,000 – $30,000

Second-generation Mazda CX-5 (2017 – present)

No crossover at this price point drives better than the Mazda CX-5, but that’s not why it’s being recommended. Mazda has been consistently updating its interiors lately, resulting in cars that look much more expensive than their price. Handsome on the outside, classy and comfortable on the inside, the CX-5 will make you feel like you’re lapping at the edges of luxury. 

Search for a 2nd-gen Mazda CX-5 on CarGurus

Fourth-generation Subaru Forester (2012 – 2018)

Subarus have always prioritized safety, from their impressive visibility to their standard symmetrical all-wheel-drive (AWD), and the Subaru Forester is one of the few vehicles available that has maintained the ability to see out the back. That alone would warrant a spot on this list, but the Forester’s ground clearance and capable AWD make it a smart pick for foul-weather journeys.  

Search for a 4th-gen Subaru Forester on CarGurus

$30,000 – $40,000

First-generation Jaguar F-Pace  (2017 – present)

One of the bigger entries on this list, the Jaguar F-Pace pushes the limits of what can be called a compact crossover, but that means your passengers and cargo will have plenty of room. The fact that your passengers and cargo will get to enjoy one of the best driving experiences you can get in one of the most attractive crossovers on the market is just a bonus.

Search for a 1st-gen Jaguar F-Pace on CarGurus

Second-generation Volvo XC60 (2017 – present)

Volvo’s commitment to style and safety culminates in its XC series of crossovers. The Volvo XC60 offers a wealth of engine options that are largely unrestricted by trim level, meaning the used market should offer lots of potential candidates. The XC60 is one of the best-balanced options on this list, with a level of design often missing outside the luxury segment.

Search for a 2nd-gen Volvo XC60 on CarGurus

$40,000 – $50,000

First-generation Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class (2016 – present)

The fact that the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class has been winning awards shouldn’t surprise you. It has the combination of style, safety, performance, and tech you expect from luxury crossovers. What should surprise you is that it manages to win while competing with the likes of Audi’s Q5 and BMW’s X3. Technology buffs should take note—if you want to sample the new MBUX, you’ll need to go with a 2020 model. 

Search for a 1st-gen Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class on CarGurus

First-generation Porsche Macan (2015 – present)

Some dismiss the Porsche Macan as a vehicle for those who prioritize performance over practicality, but if compact crossovers were created for those wanting SUV utility and a car-like driving experience, the Macan may be the ultimate vehicle. Take a drive and you’ll see that Porsche concentrated on more than just performance, with top-notch materials, fit, and comfort. Be savvy when shopping, though, as the options list can make two seemingly similar cars have very disparate prices.

Search for a 1st-gen Porsche Macan on CarGurus

For more auto news, check out these articles:

The Range Rover Sport HST Hits the Sweet Spot

The Jaguar F-PACE SVR: A Modern-Day Supercar

2019 LA Auto Show: Vehicles for Every Lifestyle

The post The Best Compact Crossovers—No Matter Your Budget appeared first on The CarGurus Blog.

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Super SUV Comparison 2020: BMW X3 M vs. X6 M, Cayenne Turbo Coupe, GLE63 S AMG, and Levante Trofeo

Like watching an Airbus A380 claw its way into the sky, blasting through L.A.’s famous canyon roads in a nearly three-ton, 600-hp atomic eggplant never gets old. What’s even better: seeing the eventual winner of our Super SUV shootout towering over the sleek, low-slung sports cars and supercars at MotorTrend’s Best Driver’s Car a few months later.

In this year’s field of Super SUVs, the least powerful vehicle we have, the 2020 BMW X3 M Competition, makes a mere 503 hp  from its 3.0-liter twin-turbo I-6. The most output comes from the Bimmer’s big brother, the X6 M Competition, which holds a 617-hp 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8. Splitting the difference between the two roundel-spangled siblings are the 541-hp 2020 Porsche Cayenne Turbo Coupe, the 590-hp 2020 Maserati Levante Trofeo, and the 603-hp 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S 4Matic+.

Our field this year ought to give our Best Driver’s Car entrants their toughest challenge yet—which says a lot considering the caliber of last year’s winner, the Lamborghini Urus, and the prior year’s, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio. Any of these beasts will pin back the ears of Jack, Steve, and Jeff on their way to hockey practice while leaving plenty of room for all the sticks and pads in back.

As in years past, Best Driver’s Car rules are in play: Concerns about cost and practicality take a back seat, and we dispense with test numbers. They’re all crazy-fast, so what’s a tenth of a second here or there?

What we do care about is how these vehicles drive and make us feel. Like you, we drive (at least some of the time) for pure enjoyment and to forget our collective reality. We’re looking for the most fun to drive, most engaging, and most exciting performance SUV—the one, like the Urus and Stelvio, that is most capable of putting a smile on your face and keeping it there.

After a fast-paced week on L.A.’s famed Angeles Crest Highway and deep in the San Bernardino Mountains, here’s how our five SUVs shook out.

5th Place: 2020 Maserati Levante Trofeo

Back in 2017, when the Levante first hit the streets, we invited it to come play in the snow with a Jaguar F-Pace, Mercedes GLC 43, and Porsche Macan GTS, but Maserati declined our invitation. I’m a bit embarrassed to admit it, but we kind of forgot Maserati existed for a few years—that is, until Maserati apologist and fellow features editor Scott Evans reminded us that the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio isn’t the only Italian-built and Ferrari-hearted SUV on the road.

By all accounts, the Maserati Levante Trofeo—which made its debut in late 2018—should be a strong contender. For starters, there’s its powertrain. Whereas the Stelvio Quadrifoglio—a fellow FCA product—has a “Ferrari-derived” 505-hp twin-turbo V-6, the Levante Trofeo has a bona fide Ferrari V-8 under its snout.

Commonly found in Ferrari products ranging from the Portofino to the F8 Tributo, the 3.8-liter twin-turbo mill makes 590 hp and 538 lb-ft of torque when fitted with a cross-plane crank and shoehorned into the Levante Trofeo. It’s paired with an eight-speed automatic and torque-vectoring all-wheel drive. The Levante Trofeo also gets a new Corsa (race) drive mode, which drops the Levante’s air suspension bags, stiffens its suspension, changes the transmission’s shift points, and makes that Ferrari mill snarl even louder.

Good thing, because that V-8 is the best part of the Levante experience. Unlike some twin-turbo setups, which sacrifice a bit at low rpm, the little V-8 pulls hard right off the line all the way to its 7,200-rpm fuel cutoff.

“The boost is programmed beautifully to create wonderfully linear power delivery all the way to redline,” Evans said. “It almost feels naturally aspirated, and it has the same kind of catapult thrust pushing you down the road as the best turbocharged sports cars.” Setting aside Evans’ unrequited love affair with Maserati, he’s absolutely right: The biggest flaw with the Maserati’s engine is that you can’t hear enough of it in the cabin.

Like its engine, the Levante Trofeo’s steering is delightfully linear. It’s well weighted and responsive—right up to the point the Maserati’s suspension can no longer keep up. There’s a constant delay-gain going on between steering turn-in and the Maserati’s suspension, which, even in its sportiest setting, is too softly sprung. In anything but a wide sweeper, the Levante turns in quickly, and there’s a solid beat before the Trofeo leans heavily on its outside tires, forcing the driver to make a quick steering correction so as not to be thrown wide.

Making matters worse, the lack of seat bolstering leaves the Levante’s driver hanging on to the wheel and bracing against the dead pedal to stay upright. “The lack of body control, even in Corsa mode, makes it much less confident than the others that I could push much harder,” road test editor Chris Walton said. “I felt like I was driving nine-tenths the entire time, yet at a slower pace. It’s exhausting to drive quickly.”

The Levante’s brakes are worse still. Pedal travel is equivalent to an overloaded dually motoring downhill on the Grapevine, with lots of squish before any bite from the pizza cutters at each corner.

Evans, ever the Maseroptimist, sees things differently: “The pedal got a little longer the hotter the brakes got, but then it stopped getting longer and the brakes kept working. I did pull into the finish with them smoking, but I think it’s because I rode them too long pulling in.” In a year marked by understatements from our elected leaders, I think it’s safe to say Evans has earned his nomination for the understatement of the year—impressive considering it’s 2020. To be fair to the Levante, I’m more impressed when Evans doesn’t flambé the brakes than when he does.

On a wide-open autostrada, the Levante Trofeo works. It feels powerful, fast, and even fun in a straight line. Except these days, we expect our Super SUVs to brake and turn as well as they accelerate.

“There’s a particular point where the Levante Trofeo feels excellent, when you’re just past the apex and rolling on the power,” senior features editor Jonny Lieberman said. “Suddenly, everything makes sense, and, yeah man, you’re in a Super SUV. But the rest of the time it just doesn’t feel as good.” The Levante may have the Italian heart of a Ferrari, but it’s outgunned by cold German steel from Stuttgart and Munich.

4th Place: 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S 4Matic+

There was a time when you could expect anything with an AMG badge to be pure, immature fun. Now, as Mercedes-AMG, the lineup has grown up, multiplied, and become more advanced. The new 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S is the latest addition to an AMG line that includes everything from the A 35 compact to the One hypercar.

Sitting square in the middle of AMG’s SUV range, the GLE 63 blends the big V-8 power we’ve come to expect from AMG products with hybrid technology and advanced chassis control systems. Sitting under its hood is a hand-built 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 with an electric motor sandwiched between it and a nine-speed automatic (which sends power to all four wheels).

The motor—good for 21 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque on its own—doesn’t actually add anything to the GLE 63’s total 603 hp and 627 lb-ft total system output, but it does provide a low-end boost as the turbos spool up. The Benz’s electrified powertrain is backed up by AMG’s Active Ride Control system, which uses active anti-roll bars, air springs, and active, magnetic-fluid engine mounts to help control body roll and improve handling. Sticky tires and massive Brembo brakes round out the package.

If you’re thinking, “My, that Mercedes sounds complicated!” you’re not wrong. Our tester was an early build and had some software issues that caused its fancy computerized drive systems to pull power in the bends. Although the GLE behaved for most of us, its glitches reared their heads for Evans and Lieberman. “The nannies are kicking on when they don’t need to be—even when everything is switched all the way off,” Lieberman said. We can only judge the vehicle we drive.

When it was working, the GLE 63 S drove like a heavy AMG GT 4-Door, which, as Evans pointed out, “is both a compliment and a curse.” Like the AMG fastback, the GLE is fast. The hybridized powertrain produces wave after wave of torque, pinning you back in your seat—hard—as the gray rock and green pines of Angeles Crest blur past your window. The Benz’s body control, when it functions properly, is a revelation, completely eliminating body roll and helping the GLE shrink around you.

Although the GLE 63 is exceedingly competent and an altogether convincing AMG product, it’s not as engaging as our top three contenders. Its steering feel seems to be the biggest issue. There’s an unmistakable digitalness to the GLE’s helm—like you’re controlling a binary flow of 1s and 0s in iRacing instead of turning rubber against asphalt.

The GLE 63’s transmission also left us wanting. The sole homegrown transmission in this group (the rest of our group uses ZF eight-speeds), the Mercedes’ nine-speed could at times be frustratingly slow to downshift and disappointingly eager to upshift, even in Race mode. Use of the steering wheel–mounted paddle shifters is a must.

A bigger sin than digital steering, an unpolished transmission, and yes, even computer errors, the GLE 63 isn’t as exhilarating as it should be. “A couple of weeks before driving the GLE, I drove the AMG GT R on the same stretch of road,” MotorTrend en Español managing editor Miguel Cortina said. “The GLE needs to deliver more of that in terms of sportiness.”

It all goes back to the AMG GT 4-Door; the GLE, just like the big fastback sedan, is competent but not engaging. If you’re going to flog 600 hp in an SUV, shouldn’t it put a smile on your face, too?

3rd Place: 2020 BMW X3 M Competition

If there were an oddball in this comparison, it’d be the X3 M Competition. A half-ton lighter and one-third less costly than the rest of the field, you’d think the X3 M would be outgunned. But this little guy is packing heat.

The X3 M Comp’s new 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged I-6 is a firecracker. With 473 hp and 442 lb-ft of twist, accompanied by an eight-speed auto and torque-vectoring all-wheel drive, the X3 M feels like a flyweight among sumo wrestlers. But this X3 M is more than just a hot-rodded engine in a compact SUV—ours included the M Competition package, which boosts power by 30 hp, to 503 hp, and fits the X3 with a sport exhaust system, among other treats.

Unleashed on Angeles Crest Highway, the X3 M Comp feels like the jacked-up M3 Wagon that BMW stubbornly refuses to build—until just recently. Capturing the stupid-fun essence that this segment is truly about, the BMW shows the good that can happen when you squeeze an underrated engine into a small(ish) package. “It drives much faster than only 503 hp would have you believe,” Lieberman said. “It pulls hard, and then over 6,000 rpm it really starts pulling. Beast of a motor.” M3 and M4 owners will be quite happy when this engine makes its way into the upcoming G20-edition M3.

BMW got the X3 M Comp’s steering mostly right, too. Although it perhaps lacks a bit of feedback compared with our top two finishers (its “bloated, ring-bologna steering wheel,” as Walton put it, doesn’t help), it’s nevertheless both sharp and precise. Couple that with the all-wheel-drive system’s most aggressive MDM 4WD Sport torque-vectoring setup, and you have a pocket rocket of an SUV that’s fairly easy to drive fast.

Where the X3 M puts its foot wrong is in its ride quality. “There’s one big flaw here, and it’s the damping,” Evans said. “It. Is. So. Stiff. Even in Comfort mode I’m getting gut-punched on every bump,” a sentiment all five judges echoed. Walton added: “Boing, boing, boing! The vertical motions never stop. It was like a completely different road; the X3 found every single road imperfection and magnified it. It got old very quickly. I could not live with this daily.”

The X3 M’s poorly calibrated ride has amplifying effects on the Bimmer’s steering, too, forcing the driver to constantly make small corrections. And if you’re not in the right drive setting, that can cause the Bimmer’s nose to wash out, drastically increasing the pucker factor. FYI, there are three individually configurable settings for the X3’s (and X6’s) powertrain, steering, suspension, and transmission, plus two for the all-wheel-drive system, so carefully choose your setting to match your road and driving intentions.

With competition this fierce, one flaw—in this case, a fairly major one—held this Bimmer back. We adore the X3 M Competition’s powertrain and really enjoy its steering, but if the ride is so stiff that it punishes you for driving it, what’s the point?

2nd Place: 2020 BMW X6 M Competition

Love them or hate them, you have the BMW X6 to thank for the mass proliferation of fastback “SUV coupes.” Now in its third generation, our Purple Porsche Eater represents BMW’s strongest effort yet at blending sports car performance with SUV practicality.

Just as the X3 M shares much with the 3 and 4 Series, the X6 M takes its cues from the 5 and 8 Series. The X6 M sports the M5 and M8’s potent 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8, which makes 600 hp in its standard form or 617 hp as found in our Ametrin Metallic X6 M Competition tester. Torque sits at a healthy 553 lb-ft of twist. Like the X3 M, power is routed to a torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system via an eight-speed automatic.

Also like the X3 M, the X6 M Comp’s powertrain is the star of the show. “This thing is a monster, a mutant freak,” Evans said. “It’s like the Porsche without the refinement.” Added Walton: “What a motor! The torque is amazing, and it sounds terrific. The X6 M’s twin-turbo V-8 is shockingly linear in its power delivery.”

Throttle response is so crisp and power delivery so sudden that stomping on the X6 M’s throttle down a straight is the automotive equivalent of an open-ice body check in the NHL. “It doesn’t matter what gear you’re in—third, fourth, or fifth—the X6 M just pulls and pulls,” Lieberman said. “You find yourself changing gears due to an auditory muscle memory.”

The BMW has the brakes to back up its power output, too. “I’ve never actually landed on an aircraft carrier, but this is what it has to be like when the hook catches the arresting wire,” Evans said. “The brakes on this thing are unreal.” Tire grip, with its steamroller-wide Michelins and BMW’s torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system, was similarly phenomenal.

For its size, the X6 M handles its weight well. You feel the Bimmer’s heft, but its chassis feels composed and neutral, and its steering quick and progressive. Like the X3 M, the helm of the X6 M could use a touch more “dynamism” (as German engineers like to say). Steering is quick, somewhat light, and accurate, certainly, but a touch more delicacy from this big brute would be welcome.

The X6 M’s suspension could also use more refinement. Although it’s nowhere near as poorly calibrated as the X3 M’s, the X6 M Comp’s suspension tuning is still on the wrong side of busy.  In its sportier suspension settings, the X6 M would pogo up and down in places where the Mercedes and Porsche had no issues.

So what holds the X6 M Competition from victory? Both Walton and Evans captured the sentiment of the group. “I came away feeling impressed but not amazed,” Walton noted, while Evans said, “I’m blown away by what it’s capable of, but I’m not sure I love it.” More polish and a touch more refinement, and we’d all be singing a different tune.

1st Place: 2020 Porsche Cayenne Turbo Coupe

What a difference a year makes. We largely have the Porsche Cayenne to thank for the Super SUVs competition happening at all. Nearly two decades after the first-generation Cayenne launched, this latest version proves why the Cayenne has been the segment dominator: Whereas other manufacturers make sporty SUVs, Porsche just makes Porsches.

Truth be told, our Lava Orange Cayenne Turbo Coupe isn’t much different from last year’s second-place Cayenne Turbo after we dinged it for being boring. It rides on the same MLB platform as its more conventionally styled sibling and sits on the same wheels and tires. It even has an identical powertrain: a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 with 541 hp and 567 lb-ft of torque paired with an eight-speed automatic, torque-vectoring all-wheel drive, and an optional four-wheel steering system. It’s not even the most powerful Cayenne in the stable. That honor belongs to the Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid, which Porsche didn’t want to send us (670 hp and 663 lb-ft of torque, because you’re wondering).

So what’s different? Well, somewhat obviously, the roof. Aside from its 911-esque profile, which lowers the Cayenne’s center of gravity, our tester also included the Lightweight Sport package, which swaps out the tin top for stiff, exposed-weave carbon fiber.

You think it wouldn’t make such a difference, but it does. Three iconic numbers came up in each judge’s notes: 911. I realize comparing a 5,500-pound thing to a 911 might sound a bit wry, but the Cayenne Turbo Coupe does a remarkable job of replicating the 911 Carrera S experience while retaining room for people in back.

The CTC’s steering is, as Walton put it, “perfectly weighted and amazingly precise,” mitigating any need for mid-corner corrections. Its air suspension and active anti-roll system also do a commendable job of making the Cayenne feel as lithe as a Carrera, Evans said: “The way it hunkers down to the road and jukes like a sports car is just phenomenal. This is what’s been missing from the Porsche SUV DNA the last few years—the sense of excitement. I don’t know what deal they made with Piëch’s ghost, but it was worth it.”

If there’s anything we want from the Cayenne Turbo, it’s more power. “What a funny world we live in,” Lieberman said. “The Porsche feels underpowered compared to the AMG and X6 M. I’d love to see what you’d have if you took this SUV and shoved the 641-hp engine from the Urus in it. Prediction? We’d achieve the Cayenne’s full potential.”

Most important, the Cayenne Turbo Coupe inspires the same sort of confidence as the 911 does. With the other four contenders, you’re always hyper-aware of the ridiculousness of a ballet with a three-ton, 22-inch-wheel-wearing SUV. The Cayenne makes it all feel normal.

As with all its products, Porsche melds man and machine and forces you to focus on the ribbon of asphalt ahead of you, prodding you to push harder on the straights, brake later into bends, and hold your line through the apex. The Cayenne Turbo Coupe is exhilarating yet instructive, supple yet firm, and leaves you yearning for the road to never end.

5th Place: 2020 Maserati Levante Trofeo Looks the business, doesn’t drive it.

4th Place: 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S Technically capable, a bit boring.

3rd Place: 2020 BMW X3 M Competition Stellar engine, awful ride.

2nd Place: 2020 BMW X6 M Competition Fast, impressive, but lacking the final polish.

1st Place: 2020 Porsche Cayenne Turbo Coupe A 911 in SUV clothing. Why buy anything else?

POWERTRAIN/CHASSIS 2020 BMW X3 M Competition 2020 BMW X6 M Competition 2020 Maserati Levante Trofeo 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLE 63S 4Matic+ 2020 Porsche Cayenne Turbo Coupe DRIVETRAIN LAYOUT Front-engine, AWD Front-engine, AWD Front-engine, AWD Front-engine, AWD Front-engine, AWD ENGINE TYPE Turbocharged I-6, alum block/head Twin-turbo 90-deg V-8, alum block/heads Twin-turbo 90-deg V-8, alum block/heads Twin-turbo 90-deg V-8, alum block/heads, plus electric motor Twin-turbo 90-deg V-8, alum block/heads VALVETRAIN DOHC 24 valves/cyl DOHC 4 valves/cyl DOHC 4 valves/cyl DOHC 4 valves/cyl DOHC 4 valves/cyl DISPLACEMENT 182.6 cu in/2,993cc 268.2 cu in/4,395cc 231.8 cu in/3,799cc 243.0 cu in/3,982cc 243.9 cu in/3,996cc COMPRESSION RATIO 9.3:1 10.0:1 9.4:1 8.6:1 10.1:1 POWER (SAE NET) 503 hp @ 5,950 rpm 617 hp @ 6,000 rpm 590 hp @ 6,250 rpm 603 hp @ 5,750 rpm (gas), 21 hp (elec), 603 hp (comb) 541 hp @ 5,750 rpm TORQUE (SAE NET) 442 lb-ft @ 2,600 rpm 553 lb-ft @ 1,800 rpm 538 lb-ft @ 2,500 rpm 627 lb-ft @ 2,500 rpm (gas), 184 lb-ft (elec), 627 lb-ft (comb) 567 lb-ft @ 1,960 rpm REDLINE 7,200 rpm 7,200 rpm 7,200 rpm 7,000 rpm 6,800 rpm WEIGHT TO POWER 8.9 lb/hp (MT est) 8.8 lb/hp (MT est) 8.5 lb/hp (MT est) 9.1 lb/hp (MT est) 9.3 lb/hp (MT est) 0-60 MPH 4.0 (MT est) 3.5 sec (MT est) 3.3 sec (MT est) 3.4 (MT est) 3.2 sec (MT est) TRANSMISSION 8-speed automatic 8-speed automatic 8-speed automatic 9-speed automatic 8-speed automatic AXLE/FINAL DRIVE RATIO 3.15:1/2.02:1 3.15:1/2.02:1 3.27:1/2.19:1 3.27:1/1.96:1 3.48:1/2.23:1 SUSPENSION, FRONT; REAR Struts, coil springs, adj shocks, anti-roll bar; multilink, coil springs, adj shocks, anti-roll bar Struts, coil springs, adj shocks, anti-roll bar; multilink, coil springs, adj shocks, anti-roll bar Control arms, air springs, adj shocks, anti-roll bar; multilink, air springs, adj shocks, anti-roll bar Control arms, air springs, adj shocks, adj anti-roll bar; multilink, air springs, adj shocks, adj anti-roll bar Multilink, coil and air springs, adj shocks, adj anti-roll bar; multilink, coil and air springs, adj shocks, adj anti-roll bar STEERING RATIO 12.9:1 13.0:1 16.1:1 Not yet available 12.2:1 TURNS LOCK TO LOCK 2.4 2.6 2.8 Not yet available 2.3 BRAKES, F; R 15.6-in vented, drilled disc; 14.6-in vented, drilled disc, ABS 15.6-in  vented, drilled disc; 15.0-in vented, drilled disc, ABS 15.0-in vented, drilled disc; 13.0-in vented, drilled disc, ABS 15.8-in vented, drilled disc; 14.6-in vented, drilled disc, ABS 17.3-in vented, drilled carbon-ceramic disc; 16.1-in vented, drilled carbon-ceramic disc, ABS WHEELS 9.5 x 21-in; 10.0 x 21-in cast aluminum 10.5 x 21-in; 11.5 x 22-in forged aluminum 9.0 x 22-in; 10.5 x 22-in forged aluminum 10.0 x 22-in; 11.0 x 22-in forged aluminum 9.5 x 21-in; 11.0 x 21-in forged aluminum TIRES 255/40R21 102Y; 265/40R21 105Y Michelin Pilot Sport 4S (star) 295/35R21 107Y; 315/30R22 107Y Michelin Pilot Sport 4S (star) 265/35R22 102Y; 295/30R22 103Y Continental SportContact 6 MGT 285/40R22 110Y; 325/35R22 114Y Michelin Pilot Sport 4S M01 285/40R21 109Y; 315/35R21 111Y Pirelli P Zero Corsa N0 DIMENSIONS WHEELBASE 112.8 in 117.0 in 118.3 in 117.9 in 114.0 in TRACK, F/R 63.9/63.1 in 66.9/66.5 in 64.4/66.9 in 66.7/67.7 in 66.4/66.5 in LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT 186.2 x 74.7 x 65.7 in 195.0 x 79.5 x 66.7 in 197.6 x 78.0 x 65.4-68.4 in 190.0 x 79.5 x 70.2 in 194.5 x 78.4 x 62.9-67.3 in GROUND CLEARANCE 8.0 in 8.4 in 6.8-9.7 in 7.5-8.1 in (MT est) 5.2-9.6 in APPRCH/DEPART ANGLE 18.2/20.3 deg 18.2/20.7 deg 22.0/26.0 deg 18.0/19.8 deg 24.5-27.1/15.1-24.1 deg TURNING CIRCLE 41.4 ft 42.0 ft 41.2 ft 40.7 ft 37.8 ft CURB WEIGHT 4,500 lb (MT est) 5,400 lb (MT est) 5,000 lb (MT est) 5,500 lb (MT est) 5,500 lb (MT est) WEIGHT DIST, F/R 51/49% (MT est) 51/49% (mfr est) 51/49% (MT est) 56/44% (MT est) 57/43% (mfr est) TOWING CAPACITY Factory hitch not available in U.S. Factory hitch not available in U.S. Not equipped for towing 7,700 lb 7,716 lb SEATING CAPACITY 5 5 5 5 5 HEADROOM, F/R 40.7/38.5 in 39.3/37.5 in 40.2/39.1 in 40.5/39.6 in 38.2/38.3 in LEGROOM, F/R 40.4/36.4 in 40.4/35.7 in 41.6/37.2 in 40.3/40.9 in 41.1/40.0 in SHOULDER ROOM, F/R 57.6/56.0 in 60.0/57.7 in 57.8/55.9 in 59.3/58.3 in 59.1/56.5 in CARGO VOLUME, BEH F/R 62.5/28.7 cu ft 59.6/27.4 cu ft 57.4/20.5 cu ft 74.9/33.3 cu ft 53.4/21.1 cu ft CONSUMER INFO BASE PRICE $77,895 $118,595 $151,485 $114,945 $131,450 PRICE AS TESTED $83,845 $131,745 $154,085 $133,075 $158,460 STABILITY/TRACTION CONTROL Yes/yes Yes/yes Yes/yes Yes/yes Yes/yes AIRBAGS 8: Dual front, front side, f/r curtain, front knee 10: Dual front, f/r side, f/r curtain, front knee 6: Dual front, front side, f/r curtain 9: Dual front, f/r side, f/r curtain, driver knee 10: Dual front, f/r side, f/r curtain, front knee BASIC WARRANTY 4 years/50,000 miles 4 years/50,000 miles 4 years/50,000 miles 4 years/50,000 miles 4 years/50,000 miles POWERTRAIN WARRANTY 4 years/50,000 miles 4 years/50,000 miles 4 years/50,000 miles 4 years/50,000 miles 4 years/50,000 miles ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE 4 years/Unlimited miles 4 years/Unlimited miles 4 years/50,000 miles 4 years/50,000 miles 4 years/50,000 miles FUEL CAPACITY 17.2 gal 21.9 gal 21.1 gal 22.5 gal 23.7 gal EPA CITY/HWY/COMB ECON 14/19/16 mpg 13/18/15 mpg 14/18/15 mpg 15/19/16 mpg 15/19/17 mpg ENERGY CONS, CITY/HWY 241/177 kWh/100 miles 259/225 kWh/100 miles 241/187 kWh/100 mi 225/117 kWh/100 miles 225/177 kWh/100 mi CO2 EMISSIONS, COMB 1.22 lb/mile 1.40 lb/mile 1.25 lb/mile 1.15 lb/mile 1.17 lb/mile RECOMMENDED FUEL Unleaded premium Unleaded premium Unleaded premium Unleaded premium Unleaded premium

The post Super SUV Comparison 2020: BMW X3 M vs. X6 M, Cayenne Turbo Coupe, GLE63 S AMG, and Levante Trofeo appeared first on MotorTrend.

https://www.motortrend.com/news/2020-bmw-x6m-x3m-vs-porsche-cayenne-turbo-coupe-maserati-levante-trofeo-mercedes-amg-63s-comparison-test-review/ visto antes em https://www.motortrend.com

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2020 Porsche Macan Hybrid Model, Redesign and Release Date

2020 Porsche Macan Hybrid Model, Redesign and Release Date

2020 Porsche Macan Hybrid Model, Redesign and Release Date.If you a fan of smaller SUVs with great power and superb handling, the 2020 Porsche Macan is among the perfect choices. Macan offers a combination of performance and utility and it offers all-wheel-drive setup as standard. Moreover, Macan comes with a wide lineup of drivetrains and there are five available models. Next, to the base model,…

[drivesuvs1]

Some of the Best SUVs

Not sure if you should buy an SUV? Here are five of the most common reasons people give for buying a sports utility vehicle. Whether are not they are good reasons is for you to decide.

Listed below are some of the Best SUVs of 2020. 

Compact: Volkswagen Tiguan There's such a great amount of similarity in the midst of the huge number of conservative hybrids that it's reviving to discover something—anything—generously extraordinary among them. Yet, the 2020 Tiguan prevails with regards to separating itself in an exceptionally helpful manner: an accessible third column. Between the Tiguan's seven-traveler ability and adaptable inside (the second-column seats slide front and toward the back, and they crease in three segments instead of the run of the mill two), VW's littlest SUV utilizes its bigger outside impression than the fragment standard by conveying outsized common sense. Compact: Honda CR-V It's not hard to perceive any reason why the 2020 CR-V is one of the brand's top-selling items: It's refined, commonsense, and all around planned. Beside offering one of the biggest payload straights in its section, the CR-V additionally offers two eco-friendly powertrains—including a half and half—to assist it with clashing with its primary opponent, the Toyota RAV4. All CR-Vs come well-furnished with common luxuries and innovation includes that SUV purchasers need, in addition to it has earned superb accident test evaluations, which will speak to families. Our grumblings are not many—and for the most part based on the CR-V's unremarkable increasing speed execution—yet it's far-fetched that normal purchasers will locate similar shortcomings. Compact: Toyota RAV4 Perpetually a smash hit SUV, the 2020 RAV4 offers a trim for each spending plan. The value driving LE trim is truly fundamental, yet the top of the line Limited can challenge the Lexus NX with its numerous extravagance highlights. The new TRD Off-Road model guarantees improved ability when hitting the path, and its tough styling makes it take a gander at home nearby the Toyota 4Runner SUV and the Toyota Tacoma pickup truck. The ute's driving elements incline toward the ordinary side of the range, however most buyers will locate the 2020 RAV4's ride agreeable and its dealing with pleasant. On the off chance that it's mileage you're after, think about the RAV4 Hybrid, which we audit independently. Minimal Luxury: Porsche Macan The 2020 Macan sits on the little side of the minimal extravagance SUV portion, however it is a conclusive contrast to the reasoning that every utility vehicle are exhausting to drive. Amazing execution and unflappable balance, without trading off its everyday decency, have earned the Porsche a few correlation test triumphs in our testing throughout the years, just as a spot on our 2020 10Best rundown. While a portion of its rivals are increasingly reasonable and pragmatic, the 2020 Macan stands apart as an appropriate driver's machine the manner by which Porsche exceeds expectations. Smaller Luxury: Porsche Macan Turbo Porsche has effectively sifted drawing in driving qualities into a smaller hybrid, and the 2020 Macan Turbo speaks to the model's presentation zenith. Flaunting an alluring plan, it figures out how to look energetic and refined. Its inside has a brilliant seating position and various personalization choices, however its confined back quarters aren't incredible on long excursions. In like manner, the Turbo is pricier than lesser Macans that convey less excites in the driver's seat. All things considered, the speedier twin-turbocharged model is an encounter that well-to-do fans will appreciate. The Porsche Macan Turbo is effectively one of the most instinctive hybrids available and it earned a spot on our 2020 10Best rundown.

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2020 PORSCHE MACAN TURBO

2020 PORSCHE MACAN TURBO

MACAN TURBO RETURNS FOR 2020 MODEL YEAR WITH IMPROVED PERFORMANCE

  Revised Powertrain and Chassis Offer Improved Acceleration and Braking

Atlanta, Georgia. The Porsche Macan Turbo returns for the 2020 model year with quicker acceleration, a higher top track speed and improved braking ability over the preceding Macan Turbo model.

A 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 engine generates 434 hp (324 kW) from…

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The 15 Quickest SUVs We’ve Ever Tested

SUVs are built for practicality, but why can’t they also be quick? You might not think it, but plenty of utility vehicles can hold their own in a drag race against a low-slung sports car. Read on to find out the 15 quickest SUVs we’ve ever tested here at MotorTrend.

2011 BMW X6 M

0-60 mph: 4.1 seconds

¼ mile: 12.7 seconds at 110.1 mph

We tested this vehicle quite a while ago, but it’s still one of the quickest SUVs around. The 2011 version made a healthy 555 hp and 500 lb-ft of torque from its 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8. You’ll see an updated version of this vehicle further down this list.

2019 Jaguar I-Pace

0-60 mph: 4.0 seconds

¼ mile: 12.5 seconds at 110.1 mph

Tesla isn’t the only company making electric SUVs with exceptional performance. Jaguar made one stunning—and stunningly quick—EV in the form of the I-Pace, which delivers a total of 394 hp and 512 lb-ft of torque. This SUV benefits from excellent high-speed stability, superb handling, and instant power and torque delivery.

2016 Mercedes-AMG GLE63 S Coupe 4Matic

  0-60 mph: 3.9 seconds

¼ mile: 12.5 seconds at 110.5 mph

This is one of several coupe SUVs to make the list. Packing a 5.5-liter twin-turbo V-8, this vehicle produces a healthy 577 hp and 561 lb-ft of torque. Along with its quiet road manners, it is also highly capable off-road.

2017 Porsche Macan Turbo Performance Pack

0-60 mph: 3.7 seconds

¼ mile: 12.3 seconds at 109.5 mph

In our review, we noted this vehicle is equally at home on the track, on the highway, or even off the beaten path. With the optional Performance package, the Macan Turbo makes 440 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque from its 3.6-liter twin-turbo V-6 engine. Drivers will enjoy its direct steering, brake feel, and canyon carving agility.

2015 BMW X5 M

0-60 mph: 3.7 seconds

¼ mile: 12.2 seconds at 112.8 mph

The X5 M looks like a regular luxury crossover, but under the hood it packs quite a bit of power. The M variant delivers a whopping 567 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque from its 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8 engine.

2015 BMW X6 M

0-60 mph: 3.7 seconds

¼ mile: 12.1 seconds at 114.3 mph

Say what you want about its looks, but the X6 can be quite impressive in M guise. Not only is it quick, but we also tested it braking from 60 to 0 mph in just 105 feet. We’ve praised this 567-hp coupe SUV for its quick-shifting eight-speed automatic and surprising cornering ability. The X6 M managed to pull 0.98 g on the skidpad, which is among the highest numbers we’ve recorded for an SUV.

2019 Jaguar F-Pace SVR

0-60 mph: 3.7 seconds

¼ mile: 12.0 seconds at 116.5 mph

The folks at Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations estimated this SUV to hit 60 mph in 4.1 seconds, but we actually clocked it at 3.7. Its 5.0-liter supercharged V-8 engine delivers 550 hp and 502 lb-ft of torque. Subtle indications of its go-fast capabilities include its quad tailpipes, large air intakes, and vents in the hood and front fenders.

2017 Bentley Bentayga (European Spec)

0-60 mph: 3.5 seconds

¼ mile: 11.9 seconds at 117.1 mph

Bentley helped usher in a new era of ultra-luxury SUVs when it unveiled the Bentayga in 2015. Its sturdy 6.0-liter twin-turbo W-12 produces 600 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque. Our 5,653-pound tester managed to hit 60 mph in 3.5 seconds, making it quick enough to cream a Lamborghini Murcielago. The engine pairs to a silky-smooth eight-speed automatic.

2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Q4 Quadrifoglio

0-60 mph: 3.3 seconds

¼ mile: 11.8 seconds at 116.1 mph

We’ve had our qualms about its build quality, but the Stelvio remains one impressive SUV. In Quadrifoglio guise, the Stelvio makes 505 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque from a 2.9 liter V-6 engine, enough to hit 60 mph in 3.3 seconds. That straight-line performance combined with razor-sharp handling helped the Stelvio Quadrifoglio place eighth in our 2018 Best Driver’s Car competition—ahead of heavyweights like the Corvette ZR1 and Mustang GT Performance Pack 2.

2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk

0-60 mph: 3.3 seconds

¼ mile: 11.7 seconds at 116.2 mph

Want a Dodge Challenger Hellcat in SUV form? Look no further than the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk. With 707 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque under the hood, this is no average Grand Cherokee. We clocked this 5,448-pound SUV hitting 60 mph in 3.3 seconds, shaving 0.2 second off of Jeep’s claimed time.

2019 Porsche Cayenne Turbo

0-60 mph: 3.2 seconds

¼ mile: 11.8 seconds at 115.8 mph

The Cayenne Turbo shares its impressive powertrain with the new Panamera Turbo. Packing a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8, it makes 541 hp and 567 lb-ft of torque. That’s quite an upgrade from the standard Cayenne’s 335 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque.

2016 Tesla Model X P90D (Ludicrous)

0-60 mph: 3.2 seconds

¼ mile: 11.7 seconds at 116.0 mph

The Model X felt like a spaceship from the future when we tested it in 2016, and it pretty much still feels that way today. Our 5,516-pound tester scooted to 60 mph in 3.2 seconds, making it quicker than a Ferrari Enzo. Who would expect this kind of performance from a large SUV that seats up to seven passengers? We can’t wait to see what the updated Model X Performance with Ludicrous mode will do.

2018 Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S 4Matic+ Coupe

0-60 mph: 3.2 seconds

¼ mile: 11.7 seconds at 116.5 mph

The GLC 63 S reigns supreme among coupe SUVs. We tested it hitting 60 mph in 3.2 seconds using a powerful 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 engine making 503 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque.

2020 Bentley Bentayga Speed

0-60 mph: 3.1 seconds

¼ mile: 11.5 seconds at 120.7 mph

This year, Bentley is rolling out an even hotter Bentayga. The new Speed version makes 626 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque from its massive 6.0-liter W-12 engine. Top speed is rated a wild 190 mph. The model is available with the largest and most powerful ceramic brakes Bentley has ever used, boasting a maximum braking torque of 4,425 lb-ft.

2019 Lamborghini Urus

0-60 mph: 3.0 seconds

¼ mile: 11.3 seconds at 120.1 mph

Yes, folks, this is the single quickest SUV we have ever tested. Its twin-turbo V-8, which is probably the best-sounding engine of its kind, delivers a proud 641 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque. That’s enough to propel this 4,900-pound SUV to 60 mph in 3 seconds flat and on to a top speed of 189.5 mph. Not only is it fast, but it’s also a capable off-roader.

The post The 15 Quickest SUVs We’ve Ever Tested appeared first on Motortrend.

source https://www.motortrend.com/news/15-quickest-suvs-weve-ever-tested/

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Meet the 2020 Ford Escape

The 2020 Ford Escape is here for a fourth generation, and there’s a lot riding on it -- figuratively and literally. It sits in the strongest-growing segment of the new-car market (compact crossovers) and is the strongest selling non-pickup in Ford’s stable. The new Escape rides on the company’s new flexible, front- and all-wheel drive platform and looks like a cross between an older Mazda CX-9 and new Porsche Macan -- not a bad place to be. The Escape also lost more than 200 pounds versus the previous model. And, after taking a break for the third generation, two hybrid Escapes are returning for the new model year.

For power, the Escape gets two new engines and one carryover. The new 1.5-liter Ecoboost I3 is the most interesting. Not only does the three-cylinder make a solid 180 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque, but it uses cylinder deactivation to go into two-cylinder mode in milliseconds whenever it senses you don’t need all three. We don’t have EPA fuel mileage numbers yet, but expect this one to be on the high side of 30. The 2.0-liter turbo-four is a carryover but makes 5 extra hp for a total of 250. Torque stays at 275 lb-ft. Finally, a new 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle non-turbo four will pair with the Escape hybrid powertrain, putting down either 198 hp or 209 hp total with battery assist. There will be both a plug-in and a standard Escape hybrid. The plug-in gets the higher power number. The non-hybrids get new eight-speed automatic transmissions. The hybrids get a continuously variable automatic transmission, or CVT. All four new Escape models come with Ford’s new rotary shifter and five drive modes: eco, normal, sport, slippery and snow/sand.

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The 2020 Porsche Macan Turbo Gets a 434-HP Engine Upgrade

Porsche is finally getting ready to roll out an updated version of its mighty Macan Turbo. Coming to the U.S. in the fourth quarter of this year, the 2020 Porsche Macan Turbo receives an updated powertrain and chassis, promising improved performance. The pre-refresh Macan Turbo was already shockingly quick for an SUV, and we have a good feeling about this new one.

Porsche claims the new Macan Turbo shaves 0.3-second off the 0–60 time of its predecessor with or without the Sport Chrono Package. Porsche says that equates to a 4.1-second sprint with the package, and a 4.1-second sprint without it. Under the sheetmetal, you’ll find a 2.9-liter twin-turbo V-6 lifted from the Cayenne and Panamera. The new Macan Turbo engine pumps out 434 hp and 405 lb-ft of torque, up 34 hp from the outgoing 3.6-liter twin-turbo V-6. The Macan Turbo was previously available with a Performance package, which bumped output to 440 hp and 442 lb-ft. We can likely expect Porsche to eventually offer an even more potent package for the new Macan Turbo. Top track speed is now 167 mph.

The 2020 Porsche Macan Turbo also gains performance-oriented standard features. These include Porsche Surface Coated Brakes, which promise better stopping power. These brakes feature a durable layer of tungsten carbide to reduce brake dust by up to 90 percent. Also standard is a sport exhaust, 20-inch wheels, and Porsche Active Suspension Management dampers. Buyers can opt for a height-adjustable air suspension with specialized rolling pistons and new shock absorber hydraulics, as well as ceramic composite brakes. A redesigned fixed roof spoiler is unique to the Turbo.

Inside the cabin, look for 18-way adjustable seats with memory, an Alcantara headliner, 14-speaker Bose surround sound system, and a 10.9-inch touchscreen. Qi inductive charging for devices is new to the Macan lineup for 2020.

Prices for the Macan Turbo start at $84,950, which puts it well ahead of the very engaging 2019 Macan S. That model, which makes a healthy 348 hp, goes from $59,850.

Source: Porsche

The post The 2020 Porsche Macan Turbo Gets a 434-HP Engine Upgrade appeared first on MotorTrend.

https://www.motortrend.com/news/2020-porsche-macan-turbo-engine-specs/ visto antes em https://www.motortrend.com

[eddiejpoplar]

BMW iX3 to gain another competitor in all-electric Porsche Macan

The automotive industry is now beginning to enter strange new territory. While there are the pretty well-known EV brands, such as Tesla, BMW and Nissan, new brands that have never produced electric cars before now developing all-electric vehicles in popular segments. One of the newest entries to the EV world will be the next-gen Porsche Macan, which will be entirely electric and contend with cars like the BMW iX3, Mercedes-Benz EQC and Audi e-tron.

Porsche recently, and officially, announced that the next-generation Macan will be entirely electric and based on the brand’s PPE platform — an all-electric architecture shared with Audi. “Electromobility and Porsche go together perfectly; not just because they share a high-efficiency approach, but especially because of their sporty character,” said Porsche board chairman, Oliver Blume.

  This upcoming all-electric Porsche Macan will also get all of the VW Group’s latest technological advancements in electromobility. So along with being built on the PPE platform, it will also get 800-volt charging capabilities, just like the Porsche Taycan and Audi e-tron GT. It will also likely get a lot of the impressive cooling capabilities of the Audi e-tron SUV.

Porsche’s Leipzig Plant

While the BMW iX3 already has its hands full, and it’s not even released yet, with its two competitors from Audi and Mercedes, the electric Porsche Macan might pose the biggest threat. The current Macan is already the sportiest driving SUV in its segment so we expect the next-gen car to be no different in that regard. Where it will be different is in its power, tech and efficiency. Thanks to the all-electric torque, real-time torque-vectoring and high performance of electric powertrains, the next-gen Porsche Macan should be a riot to drive. Plus, it will have the prestige of being a Porsche, an all-electric one at that, in a very popular segment.

The all-electric Macan will be built at Porsche’s Leipzig plant and debut in 2020.

[Source: Car Scoops]

The article BMW iX3 to gain another competitor in all-electric Porsche Macan appeared first on BMW BLOG

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2020 Jaguar F-Pace SVR Concept, Release Date, Price. The Jaguar carmaker has introduced its very first SUV with the F-Pace model. It is the brand-new 2020 Jaguar F-Pace SVR

Despite the fact that Jaguar the F-Pace is primarily made for family needs, the SVR version adds more power, better performance, and better handling. Inside, the Jaguar F-Pace SVR will be simple and elegant and will be equipped with top-notch features.

The main competitors of the high-performance F-Pace will include Porsche Macan Turbo and Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 63.

2020 Jaguar F-Pace SVR Engine and performance

Under the hood of the 2020 Jaguar F-Pace SVR will be placed a 5.0-liter V-8 supercharged engine. With this powertrain, the new F-Pace SVR will be able to hit 60 mph in 4.1 seconds and reach a top speed of 176 mph.

The platform, exterior, and interior

The newest 2020 Jaguar F-Pace SVR will ride on the same IQ-Al modular platform which also underpins the standard version and will feature a lightweight aluminum body. As for the external appearance, the F-Pace SVR will get more aggressive design than the standard version. The front end wears a unique design of the bumper and larger air intakes.

The cabin of the new Jaguar F-Pace SVR will feature a simple, tasteful, and clean design with premium materials and advanced technology. There will be several color combinations to choose from including Red with Jet, Siena Tan with Jet, Jet with Light Oyster, and Light Oyster with Jet. On the center of the dash, there is a large 10.0-inch touchscreen for a Touch Pro infotainment system which is standard.

Release date and price

The 2020 Jaguar F-Pace SVR will go on sale this summer. The price should start at around $81,000.

Gallery of Jaguar F-Pace SVR 2020

2020 Jaguar F-Pace SVR Concept, Release Date, Price 2020 Jaguar F-Pace SVR Concept, Release Date, Price. The Jaguar carmaker has introduced its very first SUV with the F-Pace model.

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2019 Porsche Macan Specs, Refresh, Pictures, New Engine

2019 Porsche Macan Specs, Refresh, Pictures, New Engine

The 2019 Porsche Macan continues to offer top safety scores, remarkable space inside, and all-round versatility; it’s still one of the best small SUVs, and a good value for money.

2019 Porsche Macan Powertrain

The 2019 Porsche Macan gets excellent ratings and is an IIHS Top Safety Pick. Its forward-collision warning system in particular works well, and it has acquired more capabilities in the…

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Volkswagen, Porsche Dump Diesel for EVs, Mercedes Gets Smart

The Volkswagen Group looks to cut costs while it pivots

VW and Audi turned diesel into a dirty word by inventing and applying so-called defeat devices across the range. In the process, they thoroughly tainted their brand image and alienated loyal customers stuck with cars whose ratings had dropped from desirable to dead stock within a few months. But unlike Porsche, which absorbed tens of thousands of windfall oil burning engines for almost ten years before pulling the plug in late September, Wolfsburg and Ingolstadt still need the diesel-drinkers to meet their CO2 targets.

Even though the diesel has been re-engineered in a hurry and now fully complies with the stringent EU6 temporary emission norm, the gun-shy punters still fear city driving bans and crippling resale values. That’s understandable yet tragic, because clean diesels are no longer fake news. Instead, the very best of them harm the environment less than gasoline hybrids while retaining their torque and consumption advantage in full. In terms of noise and tailpipe odor, however, Rudolf D’s combustion principle obviously no longer complies with the core values of high-tech trend-setters like Porsche.

Oliver Blume and his predecessor Matthias Müller were among the first CEOs to jump on the BEV bandwagon and to compile a radical phase-out strategy for the gas engine. They kicked off the Mission E program to create Germany’s first Tesla fighter, they were at one point close to replacing the best-selling Macan with a zero-emission model, and they set out to boost Porsche’s BEV penetration to 50 percent of the mix by 2023.

Thanks to the development of the mass market all-electric Volkswagen ID, which will be priced similar to a mid-line Golf and due next year, Porsche had carte blanche to convert its entire model range to plug-in and electric power by 2028. And by entire model range, one must include both sports cars, namely the replacements of the mid-engine 718 and the tenth-generation 911. While even the most detailed ten-year plan is at best safe for the next four to five years, it is little short of sensational that Porsche has its mindset focused on a brand-new all-electric 911, which will be offered in addition to the conventional 992 replacement.

Mission E aka J1 aka Taycan will come to market next autumn, and it won’t differ dramatically in appeal and appearance from the show car. The same applies to the CUV derivative, aka Cross Turismo, which has been penciled in for late 2020. Although it didn’t clinic particularly well in the US due to its low stance, we still don´t expect the real thing to be a proper SUV. Proportions are key for every Porsche, so a higher roofline is less likely than some token badland add-ons. A two-door coupé with a soft-top sidekick based on J1 would be the fanciest trick in the book, but financial risk and the need to control the increasingly complex portfolio doesn’t leave much room for experiments early on in the e-age. The supplier community suggests that major mid-cycle improvements are due for Taycan only four years after the start of production. The prime goal is bound to take out cost and put in more power, range, and durability.

Instead of shifting the DNA from J1 straight to PPE (Premium Platform Electromobility), the platform co-developed with Audi, when Taycan expires at the end of 2026, Porsche is now allegedly determined to carry on with a heavily revised architecture codenamed, you guessed it, J2. If all goes according to plan, J2 will switch to solid state batteries which can do everything better than lithium ion cells—at a price.

There is no major change of body styles in the cards, but the aforementioned silent two-door GT always remains an option, even though Porsche should leave Audi and Bentley enough room for their J1 spin-offs. In terms of available powertrains, we still stand at a nominal 300/400/500 kW (402/536/670 hp) powered by a choice of LG Chem batteries rated at 80 and 95 kWh. All four wheels are driven via a two-speed transmission, the maximum torque one can play with from third upwards is 737 lb-ft, and as long as you don’t squeeze the energy cells out like a lemon (0-60 mph in 3.5 sec, 160 mph) the driving range should be in excess of 300 miles.

Even the self-described e-junkie Oliver Blume no longer intends to make the next Macan transfer from pump to plug over night. The plan is now to extend the life of the current model until 2024, which would almost certainly require a major facelift in 2021 or thereabout. Audi has already signaled that it will agree on a similar timing for the next Audi Q5, which the Macan III will again be twinned with.

The updated Macan, based on the familiar MLB matrix, and the all-new Macan BEV, derived from the brand-new PPE component set defined with Audi, are expected to come to market within six months of each other. Both offerings will likely overlap for about three years, if need be even longer. In case something goes terribly wrong in the future electric world, the new Macan could still ride on PPC, which is the combustion engine back-up of PPE.

An almost identical game plan applies to the full-size Cayenne, which is scheduled to undergo three iterations (including a coupé and two facelifts) before it finally retires in 2027. Ten years is a long life cycle for an SUV because you can only shed so much weight, and implementing improved aerodynamics that require sheet metal changes is even more difficult. That’s why the electric Cayenne—program E4, also part of the PPE family—must start as early as 2024 and extend the transition period to three or four years. No, there is no reward for guessing which pattern will be applied to the Panamera changeover. In an ideal world, Porsche would love to keep updating the current generation (G2) until it eventually bites the dust, but you probably cannot do this with an eleven-year old design—unless of course the unloved Sport Turismo gives way to the repeatedly hyped 929 coupé/cabrio which should consolidate demand. Right now though, a reskin (G3) in 2023 is more likely. Two years later, the all-electric Panamera G4 would be the fourth new Porsche never again to stop at a filling station—except for a coffee break.

What about the future sports cars in the making in the Weissach think tank, you ask? Same philosophy, but different timing, and for obvious reasons, different DNA. The 718 Cayman and Boxster launched in 2016 must soldier on until 2023 or 2024 without serious cosmetic operations, hybrid options, or AWD. The big bang follows in late 2022 when the battery-powered 983 is due to launch. This is a pure BEV, a total break with the past, sans alternative drivetrain option. Having said that, the outgoing combustion engine models—Boxster, Cayman, and Spyder—will be offered for at least twelve months alongside the high-tech newcomer. Apparently, the existing MMB platform can be upgraded to accommodate the totally different componentry. According to a senior engineer, there is thus no real need to proceed with the proposed all-new BEV matrix known as SPE, short for sports car platform electric. Dropping SPE would save approximately 25 percent of the cost-cutting target.

Although 983 is still in the final definition phase, we hear that there may be two coupé models, a Cayman replacement and a notably sportier high-performance derivative destined to slot in below the Carrera S/GTS. The second model would get bespoke coachwork inspired by the 918/919, and it would be priced in a similar bracket as the 911 turbo. While the Cayman E can reportedly be specced with one or two motors for a total of up to 536 hp, the Super E boasts three motors (two of them in the rear) for a peak output of 603 hp, sources say. The energy packs are said to deliver 100 and 125 kWh respectively. We expect a move to solid state accumulators from 2026 onwards, in combination with speed charging, ultra-quick battery regeneration, and Porsche-like repeat performance.

According to the Weissach grapevine, the first-ever all-electric 911 will debut in 2028 alongside the 992 replacement. Why wait so long? Because the plug-in hybrid is a convincing stopgap solution for many markets, because battery weight has to come down in sync with a more efficiency cell chemistry, and because even a planet-saving 911 must be an ultra-fast, hardcore piece of kit. Porsche is apparently convinced that it can deliver on all counts. After all, the latest master plan projects BEVs to exceed 85 percent of the sales total come 2028.

While the smart brand lives on borrowed time, a sub-A-class small-star Mercedes is taking shape

Smart is in the process of going 100 percent electric, but this doesn’t mean that the marque has a future. Quite the contrary: according to various sources, Renault is going to pull out once the ForFour/Twingo reaches the end of its cycle, Mercedes is not interested in keeping the Smart car brand going all by itself, and whether Geely may want to jump in and lift the business case to a more profitable new level remains to be seen. Right now, the internal plan is that smart will be wound up by 2026 at the earliest. The question remains whether Mercedes will pull out of the segment completely, or if the new CEO Ola Kallenius might be actively looking for options to keep the three-pointed star in the race against Mini and the Audi A1/Q1/City. The board needs to come to a conclusion by 2021 when it must sign off the next A-class generation due in 2025. If we read the smoke signals right, the current MFA2 architecture will be replaced by a fully scalable, all-new convergence layout which covers a much broader product spectrum that could also include a proper baby Benz.

At this point, strategists and product planners are evaluating at least four different options:

Version 2.0 of a fully electrified Smart brand funded with a strong partner like Geely, a concept inspired by the cooperation between Mini and Great Wall. Probability rating: 3/5. Why? Because it is difficult and expensive to ensure that the outcome, which would likely be produced in China, is a proper fit for the global market.

Add a decontented entry-level two- or three-door model to the current A-class portfolio. Probability rating: 1/5. Why? Too late, too expensive, too compromised. The no-frills A-Class coupé was stillborn for exactly these reasons.

Engineer the MFA3 component set so that it includes a proper baby Benz priced at least 15 percent below the least-expensive A-Class. Probability rating: 2/5. Why? MFA3 is unlikely to be sufficiently advanced, flexible enough, or affordable for the conversion to a predominantly electric future.

Go ahead with the innovative convergence matrix codenamed MX1, which could be stretched from whatever shape the small Mercedes will assume for the C-Class/GLC replacement. Probability rating: 5/5. Why? Because MX1 covers BEV, PHEV, and ICE with a bias on electric drive. In addition, it introduces a new level of modularity as well as extended economies of scale, with or without a partner.

Cooperation remains indeed an option—even though the tie-ups with Mitsubishi and Renault delivered mixed results. Last year, Mercedes and BMW discussed the pros and cons of teaming up with regard to MX1 and the bigger MX2 version, but to no avail. BMW ended the talks, thereby relegating the team from Stuttgart back to square one. Although the baby Benz has since dropped a notch or two on the agenda, electrification is a more urgent topic than ever, and so are new vehicle types tailor-made for metro mobility, commuter services, and innovative user models. The reinvented Mercedes née Smart is far from an approved program, but what is tentatively known as U-class (the U stands for urban & universal) has undergone various feasibility studies in combination with different design proposals. Under discussion are the following fully electric variations:

U-class City, a three-door hatch with five-door option, short and tall with extra-long (relative) wheelbase.

U-class Shuttle, an on-demand last-mile shared transportation device combined with up-market services such as exclusive use, autonomous driving where applicable, special delivery, and drop-off.

U-class Cargo, a compact panel van operating in a pool, shared by service providers with city access.

In frivolous moments, product planning even considered off-beat stuff like an emotional metro cruiser, a U-class Open Air, and a back-to-basics two-seater positioned between the unloved two-door A-class and the short-lived Smart coupé. In terms of content, the emphasis is split between the standardized e-componentry and bespoke abilities like the interface with Big Data, personalized services, and safety & convenience features. If the business case still looks good in 2021, the U-class may turn out to be one of the smartest cars Mercedes ever conceived.

The post Volkswagen, Porsche Dump Diesel for EVs, Mercedes Gets Smart appeared first on Automobile Magazine.

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