logo
#

Latest news with #PorscheMacan

Iconic sports car brand reveals its very first SUV with focus on ‘light handling' and ‘daily usability'
Iconic sports car brand reveals its very first SUV with focus on ‘light handling' and ‘daily usability'

Scottish Sun

time2 days ago

  • Automotive
  • Scottish Sun

Iconic sports car brand reveals its very first SUV with focus on ‘light handling' and ‘daily usability'

It's set to rival the Porsche Macan and Cupra Tavascan FRENCH CONNECTION Iconic sports car brand reveals its very first SUV with focus on 'light handling' and 'daily usability' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ICONIC sports car brand Alpine is set to rival the Porsche Macan with its very first performance SUV - called the A390. The French marque - part of the Renault Group - already has two cars in its line-up, the highly-acclaimed A110 sports car and the stunning A290 hot hatchback that's modelled on the new Renault 5. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Alpine reveals the aggressive-looking, all-electric A390 SUV, set to rival the Porsche Macan Credit: Renault 3 A driver-focused cabin features a portrait-oriented touchscreen, physical controls, and race-inspired adjustment dials - including a red overtake lever Credit: Renault 3 The A390 boasts a tri-motor powertrain delivering up to 464bhp - while boasting surprising agility and performance Credit: Renault Now, they're adding a third; an aggressive-looking, all-electric SUV to pit them against the electric Macan Electric and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N. Described as a crossover-coupe, the A390 will start at around £60,000 - with UK orders to open in November. Much like the A290, Alpine is seemingly attempting to further broaden its product range with the A390, as SUVs continue to be Europe's most popular type of car. Essentially giving the people what they want - a luxury SUV that combines class, power and everyday usability. Size-wise, the A390 matches the Tesla Model Y and Cupra Tavascan - with dimensions of 4.6m long by 1.5m tall - but boasts a corking 464bhp, making it more geared towards the performance SUV range. What's more, using a bespoke tri-motor powertrain, with two at the rear and one at the front, it will feature rear-biased all-wheel drive and torque vectoring to help with agility and responsiveness. Indeed, the tri-motor powertrain is capable of overspeeding the outside wheels in a bend, rather than simply braking the inside wheels, which Alpine says gives a 'much smoother, delicate feeling of control.' Krief told Autocar: 'You can generate a quite immediate response time. It's like the behaviour of a light car.' Inside, it comes with a portrait-oriented touchscreen angled towards the driver, as well as physical controls on the steering wheel and centre console. Like the A290, it has a race-inspired adjustment dial on the steering wheel for the brake regen and the so-called overtake lever that gives the car full-power for short periods - somewhat giving drivers the gimmick of F1's DRS-tech. Alpine A290 GTS delivers a hot hatch EV that comes with F1-style 'overtake button' And for those not keen on the silence of an electric motor, it comes with the option of a synthetic 'Alpine drive sound' inspired by the A110's four-cylinder petrol engine. The standard GT model produces 395bhp, with the 464bhp coming from the top-of-the-range GTS - which hits 0-62mph in 3.9 seconds. For some context, that matches the ultra-light, stripped-out A110 R. The A390 is the second of seven electric cars that Alpine plans to launch, with an electric successor to the A110 next in the pipeline. Then, there's the A310 coming after, said to be a four-door fastback to rival the Polestar 4.

Iconic sports car brand reveals its very first SUV with focus on ‘light handling' and ‘daily usability'
Iconic sports car brand reveals its very first SUV with focus on ‘light handling' and ‘daily usability'

The Irish Sun

time2 days ago

  • Automotive
  • The Irish Sun

Iconic sports car brand reveals its very first SUV with focus on ‘light handling' and ‘daily usability'

ICONIC sports car brand Alpine is set to rival the Porsche Macan with its very first performance SUV - called the A390. The French marque - part of the Renault Group - already has two cars in its line-up, the highly-acclaimed A110 sports car and the stunning A290 hot hatchback that's modelled on the new Renault 5. 3 Alpine reveals the aggressive-looking, all-electric A390 SUV, set to rival the Porsche Macan Credit: Renault 3 A driver-focused cabin features a portrait-oriented touchscreen, physical controls, and race-inspired adjustment dials - including a red overtake lever Credit: Renault 3 The A390 boasts a tri-motor powertrain delivering up to 464bhp - while boasting surprising agility and performance Credit: Renault Now, they're adding a third; an aggressive-looking, all-electric SUV to pit them against the electric Macan Electric and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N. Described as a crossover-coupe, the A390 will start at around £60,000 - with UK orders to open in November. Much like the A290, Alpine is seemingly attempting to further broaden its product range with the A390, as SUVs continue to be Europe's most popular type of car. Essentially giving the people what they want - a luxury SUV that combines class, power and everyday usability. Read more Motors News Size-wise, the A390 matches the Tesla Model Y and Cupra Tavascan - with dimensions of 4.6m long by 1.5m tall - but boasts a corking 464bhp, making it more geared towards the performance SUV range. What's more, using a bespoke tri-motor powertrain, with two at the rear and one at the front, it will feature rear-biased all-wheel drive and torque vectoring to help with agility and responsiveness. Indeed, the tri-motor powertrain is capable of overspeeding the outside wheels in a bend, rather than simply braking the inside wheels, which Alpine says gives a 'much smoother, delicate feeling of control.' Krief told Autocar: 'You can generate a quite immediate response time. It's like the behaviour of a light car.' Most read in Motors Inside, it comes with a portrait-oriented touchscreen angled towards the driver, as well as physical controls on the steering wheel and centre console. Like the A290, it has a race-inspired adjustment dial on the steering wheel for the brake regen and the so-called overtake lever that gives the car full-power for short periods - somewhat giving drivers the gimmick of F1's DRS-tech. Alpine A290 GTS delivers a hot hatch EV that comes with F1-style 'overtake button' And for those not keen on the silence of an electric motor, it comes with the option of a synthetic 'Alpine drive sound' inspired by the A110's four-cylinder petrol engine. The standard GT model produces 395bhp, with the 464bhp coming from the top-of-the-range GTS - which hits 0-62mph in 3.9 seconds. For some context, that matches the ultra-light, stripped-out A110 R. The A390 is the second of seven electric cars that Alpine plans to launch, with an electric successor to the A110 next in the pipeline. Then, there's the A310 coming after, said to be a four-door fastback to rival the Polestar 4.

Test-Driving The 2025 Porsche Macan 4S Electric
Test-Driving The 2025 Porsche Macan 4S Electric

Forbes

time3 days ago

  • Automotive
  • Forbes

Test-Driving The 2025 Porsche Macan 4S Electric

2025 Porsche Macan Electric 4S in "Provence." The Porsche Macan compact sport crossover has been on sale with a combustion-only powertrain for more than a decade. Now, the German automaker is complementing the popular five-passenger internal combustion engine (ICE) model with a pure electric vehicle (EV) variant. While they share the same surname and most would be hard-pressed to tell them apart from a distance, the all-new 'Macan Electric' EV, built on VW Group's Premium Platform Electric (PPE) platform, offers a roomier passenger cabin and more standard features than the gasoline-burning models. And, in typical Porsche fashion, the all-new EV doesn't give up an ounce of its celebrated driving dynamics or performance despite its emission-free powertrain. Porsche is currently selling four variants of the Macan EV: Macan, Macan 4, Macan 4S, and Macan Turbo. The base Macan is fitted with a single motor on the rear axle (rear-wheel drive), while the Macan 4, Macan 4S, and Macan Turbo boast a second motor on the front axle (all-wheel drive). The automaker tunes the output of the Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors (PSM) for different power levels, ranging from 335 hp to 630 hp (with Launch Control). All models share the same 95.0 kWh battery, which supports DC fast charging at up to 270 kW. In a unique move, the platform's 800-volt architecture allows charging speeds of up to 135 kW by splitting the pack into two separate 400-volt units when hooked up to a high-powered charger—Porsche says it can be charged from 10 percent to 80 percent in just 21 minutes. Range varies from 288 miles (Turbo and 4S) to 315 miles (base Macan). The interior of the Porsche Macan Electric 4S Putting the new EV through its paces, I added about 500 miles to the odometer of a Macan 4S during a recent week in Los Angeles. I drove like a commuter (crawled in bumper-to-bumper traffic), trekked across the LA Basin for lunch meetings, and took friends out to dinner in the evenings. I also zoomed up my favorite canyon roads—obligatory for a driving enthusiast—and cruised Pacific Coast Highway. I like to believe I drove the Macan like an actual owner would (on that note, I'll mention that I'm a current owner, with a 2018 Macan currently parked in my home garage, which I've owned since it was new). The new Macan EV platform is a visual ringer to its predecessor—the four-door hatchback retains its sporty appearance and aggressive stance. Still, a keen eye will note that Porsche moved the headlights down to a lower position while leaving the daytime running lights (DRLs) in their familiar spot. Most exterior dimensions remain about the same, but the wheelbase has been slightly stretched, providing second-row passengers more room. It's not unusual for a vehicle to grow with each refresh, but thankfully, Porsche kept the Macan's dimensions true to the original design—concise and visually appealing. Those familiar with the previous generations of Macan will feel right at home within the redesigned cabin. The EV features more technology and innovation, along with a long list of additional standard features compared to the ICE variant. However, Porsche hasn't compromised the intimate sports car feel that makes the Macan popular among driving enthusiasts. The automaker hasn't gone overboard with luxury—the theme is 'sporty with an emphasis on premium materials' (step up to the Porsche Cayenne if you are interested in being pampered with luxury features). The front seats are very comfortable, and the view outside is good (Macan models have always had a restricted view out the rear, and the EV makes no exception). As mentioned, the rear seats of the EV offer a couple of extra inches of legroom compared to the ICE model, which my six-foot, two-inch frame appreciated. The 4S is neck-snapping quick—the motors deliver up to 509 hp during Launch Control. Porsche claims the benchmark 0-60 mph sprint takes a mere 3.9 seconds, but their numbers are always conservative—take another few tenths off that time if you want the real-world number. Unlike the power delivery in an ICE vehicle, which often requires a second or two for the engine to 'catch up,' electric motors deliver instant torque at any throttle position, regardless of temperature or altitude. Merging into traffic, passing other vehicles, or just zipping ahead to avoid a collision with a car in a blind spot is effortless. It's also plenty fast—Porsche says it will top out at 149 mph if you find asphalt where it's legal. The Porsche Macan Electric 4S in "Provence." On the road, the cabin is hushed—credit low drag (Cd of .26 on the 4S), acoustic laminated glass, and excellent sound absorption. The ride is impeccable, thanks to standard air suspension with adaptive dampers coupled with Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM). The dampers feature innovative dual-chamber air springs with separate valves for compression and rebound. Variable ride height offers ground clearance between 6.7 and 8.8 inches, depending on driving mode. Don't get into a dogfight with the Macan 4S in a twisty canyon, as chances are you won't win. Gobs of torque from a pair of electric motors, coupled with electronically controlled active all-wheel drive with Porsche Traction Management (ePTM), a pavement-kissing low center of gravity, and 52 percent of the vehicle's mass over the rear axle, is a recipe for agile handling and dynamic prowess. While the 5,269-pound curb weight is nothing to boast about (it's a bit heavy), body roll is negligible, and it's fun to toss playfully—you can even get the tail to kick out. The wide staggered contact patch wrapped in Michelin EV-tuned summer performance tires (235/55-20 and 285/45-20, front and rear, respectively) delivers enough grip to challenge even a low-slung sports car—according to the Porsche Sport Chrono display, I pulled an impressive 1.12 G's while cornering. Braking is also one of the Macan's strengths. Porsche fits 6-piston calipers to 14.8-inch front rotors (complemented with 4-piston calipers on the rear), but traditional hydraulic brakes are only part of the equation. Digital brake regeneration—or 'recuperation' as Porsche calls it—also occurs. Seamlessly blending a hydraulic system with an electronic system is as much a challenging art as it is a science—most automakers fail. Porsche put the time, effort, and engineering prowess into polishing the system to perfection—it's nearly faultless, as even the most discerning driver will be challenged to feel the handoff through the brake pedal, even when pushed to the limit. Many shoppers for electric vehicles are hyper-focused on range. Thankfully, Porsche is conservative in its range estimates. I was easily able to squeeze more miles out of each charge, with the actual miles exceeding displayed estimates (even when I was pushing hard), giving plenty of peace of mind. Of note, the range instantly updates when the drive modes are altered—switch out of 'Sport Plus' to 'Normal' and the remaining range recalculates. 2025 Porsche Macan Electric 4S in "Provence." As I've stated many times, it's best to think of the Macan as a compact five-passenger crossover version of the 911—the all-new Macan EV legitimately continues the theme. The Macan Electric, which starts at $75,300, targets driving enthusiasts seeking a pure-EV crossover with 300 miles of range, quick on-the-go charging capabilities, and Porsche's celebrated chassis tuning and vehicle dynamics. It's fast, comfortable, efficient, and it has the engineering prowess to effortlessly keep up with everything else if the road turns twisty.

A timeline of MAFSAU's Jacqui & Clint's life since leaving the show, from a whirlwind proposal to cast feuds
A timeline of MAFSAU's Jacqui & Clint's life since leaving the show, from a whirlwind proposal to cast feuds

Cosmopolitan

time23-05-2025

  • Entertainment
  • Cosmopolitan

A timeline of MAFSAU's Jacqui & Clint's life since leaving the show, from a whirlwind proposal to cast feuds

Season 12 of Married At First Sight has officially ended Down Under and on E4, but we're still not quite over everything that happened on the show, and after. This season was wild, from all the feuds, to the wild dinner parties, and couple swaps, including the biggest shocker of them all - Clint and Jacqui's engagement. Speaking of Jacqui and Clint... The couple have been super active since filming for the show ended. Jacqui now lives at Clint's Tasmanian home, and they've been defending their relationship left, right and centre. Read on for a detailed timeline on what they've been up to since the show ended. Shortly after filming wrapped on season 12, Jacqui and Clint got together. Ryan claimed that they'd been speaking from before the show ended and brought this up at the reunion. In an interview with Daily Mail Australia, he said: "She admitted to me one night, she's like, 'After one night when I was really upset, I actually called Clint at 3am'. They had a conversation over the phone about her being so upset with the experiment, with me, with Rhi, with everything." He continued: "My suspicions ended up being confirmed. After that, I was like, 'You've made a joke of our time here.' Literally," he added. "I could've taken the whole bitter, jaded side and been like, 'Oh, you were messaging him while we were still together.' Which is true." Nevertheless, a producer told Yahoo! that Clint and Jacqui "grew close towards the end of filming but didn't get together until after the season wrapped". Jacqui relocated to Tasmania in early February and has since moved in with Clint at his stunning home in Riverside, accompanied by their two Samoyeds Jacqui can often be seen making social media content from the palatial property, which has its own tennis court. In March 2025, Jacqui revealed that she'd left her corporate job at a high-end law firm in New South Wales, saying that people's opinion of her on the show had left her stressed to work "for at least two years." "I essentially left my job after I tried to go back to work because I was mentally distressed and couldn't work. I've been unable to continue my career… I've been left to fend on my own, basically," she told Sky. The same month, Clint made a dig at Ryan. In a video posted to his social media account, the 44-year-old was seen strolling around his Tasmanian estate. He then looked proudly at his $200,000 Porsche Macan and captioned the clip: "POV: He wanted to be great." Clint was making a reference to a moment in season 12 when Jacqui asked Ryan why he didn't want to be "great". Since leaving the show, the couple have been very vocal. As well as the their ongoing issues with Ryan, Jacqui's had some back and forth with Awhina Rutene, after Awhina said that her husband Adrian Araouzou would have been "better matched" with Jacqui. The couple are also said to have fallen out with Katie Johnstone, who is friends with former MAFS star and The Honesty Box host Lucinda Light. Lucinda shared her support for Ryan on her Instagram, and Jacqui and Clint both contacted her to tell her why she shouldn't do that, amid Jacqui's ongoing legal battle with Ryan. Lucinda removed the post, but according to Katie, their response "triggered a clap back, dragging Lu down, pulling me into it". Katie added that she didn't understand where their beef had come from because she reached out to the couple after their engagement and told them to visit her. She added: "She's [Jacqui] accusing me of tax fraud and theft, and that's just such a crazy thing to do given that I had to liquidate because of Covid. I lost everything during Covid. "The superannuation I'm paying off, which I've almost paid off by the way, is on a payment plan so there's no fraud there, it's insanity." Clint proposed to Jacqui during a viewing party for Married At First Sight Australia in Sydney. The event was attended by approximately 150 fans and fellow cast members. "I know we signed up for MAFS to get married and find a life-long partner. So I've got one question for you," Clint said, before popping the question. Jacqui accepted the proposal with a heartfelt "Yes!" The ring? Clint presented Jacqui with a custom-made 5.08-carat oval diamond solitaire ring set in platinum and 18ct yellow gold, valued at approximately $30,000 (£22,000). Later that month, Jacqui responded to rumours she's expecting a baby. "No, we are not expecting and I am not pregnant!' she wrote in the caption over the top of her fan message. "The media have been inaccurate on a lot and I don't have time to see it all, but they should really fact check on these things when it comes to this because I know it's a sensitive topic for a lot. "Come to me for the facts about my body, and Clint and I for our relationship news." In May, Jacqui and Clint revealed that they want to start a family. During an Instagram Story Q&A session with fans, the couple were asked about their wedding plans. Jacqui then revealed that they're hoping to tie the knot next year and are already talking babies. "We haven't set a wedding date yet, but we're hoping it will be between January and March next year,' she said as the couple sat on their couch together in Clint's lavish Tasmanian home," she said in the video. "We're actually ready for kids and babies. Personally, I want to get married before I get pregnant. I don't want to be dealing with the drama of being pregnant and having a wedding dress be altered throughout my pregnancy. We're very keen to get married ASAP." In a recent interview, Clint revealed that he fancied Jacqui before he married Lauren Hall on MAFSAU. As he was a late entrant to the show, Clint got to see the other relationships that had already formed and Jacqui caught his eye straight away. Speaking to Yahoo Lifestyle, he said: "Being an intruder going into the show, my audition was still happening when the original couples were actually already married. So I saw a few spoilers of who were the brides and grooms were and I did look through them. "And right even then, Jacqui caught my attention. I obviously was going to get married to someone else I didn't know so I was fully focused on my relationship in the experiment. But to be honest, when I saw the line up before I went in there, that was when Jacqui first got my attention for sure." Jacqui said she got "really good vibes" when she first met Clint, and loved that he was the complete opposite to all the other guys in the experiment. "It was like this, this guy's cool. Like I was surrounded by people who are very extra and extroverted and outspoken. And Clint came into the experiment like modest, humble, like down to earth and had a very cool, collected, calm aura about him," she added. Cute! Married At First Sight Australia is available to stream on

Porsche's Big EV Bet is Paying Off in Australia, Electric Macan Sales Overtake Petrol
Porsche's Big EV Bet is Paying Off in Australia, Electric Macan Sales Overtake Petrol

Man of Many

time21-05-2025

  • Automotive
  • Man of Many

Porsche's Big EV Bet is Paying Off in Australia, Electric Macan Sales Overtake Petrol

By Ben McKimm - News Published: 21 May 2025 Share Copy Link Readtime: 3 min Every product is carefully selected by our editors and experts. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more. For more information on how we test products, click here. Despite EV sales slowing nationally, Porsche's EV bet is paying off with deliveries of its new all-electric Macan (from AUD$128,400 plus on-roads) confirmed to have overtaken the previous-generation petrol-powered variant in Australia. Dealer stock of the petrol Macan has dwindled in recent months after global production was stopped towards the end of 2024, but the transition from petrol to electric (and enormous price rise) has not hampered the sales. Porsche does not split Macan sales by powertrain variant, but a spokesperson confirmed the news to Man of Many. The brand achieved 240 sales in April 2025, which is a +79.1% month-over-month increase compared to the same month last year. Over the year-to-date, the Macan has achieved 998 sales, which is a +3.0% increase. Of course, brands sometimes play silly buggers with these numbers, but more than 120 sales of the all-electric Porsche Macan is a big number that puts them in the same ballpark as much cheaper EVs like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 (116 sales) and Mercedes-Benz EQB (107 sales). The year-to-date sales increase also tells us that this number is unlikely to be a drop in the water. Previously, Porsche wound back its target for electric cars that would see 80 per cent of its line-up become battery-electric by 2030—leaving the remaining 20 per cent for the 911 sports car. 2025 Porsche Taycan 4 | Image: Porsche Porsche Macan Sales in Australia: Macan April 2025 : 240 units : 240 units Macan April 2024: 134 units Macan YTD 2025 : 998 units : 998 units Macan YTD 2024: 969 units Month-over-Month Change : +79.1% YTD Change : +3.0% Porsche Taycan Sales in Australia: April 2025 : 17 units : 17 units April 2024: 12 units YTD 2025 : 73 units : 73 units YTD 2024: 138 units Month-over-Month Change : +41.7% YTD Change : -47.1% Where the sales for the all-electric Macan have been a runaway success, Porsche's flagship electric vehicle, the Taycan, has struggled for sales so far this year, despite a new facelifted model arriving with one of the longest range figures in the business. The Taycan Turbo GT is also the most powerful new car on sale in Australia, with 815 kW (1,092 HP) in launch control mode. Taycan sales were marked at 17 units in April 2025, which is an increase of +41.7% compared to the same month last year. However, more concerningly, sales are down -47.1% year-to-date, with the 73 units sold less than the 138 units sold in the same period last year. This follows a similar trend to overall 2024 sales, where the Taycan struggled. They sold 282 Taycans in 2024, which is down on the 535 vehicles they sold in 2023. Premium EVs are a tough sell, even if you have the best product in the business. 2024 Audi RS e-tron GT | Image: Supplied / Audi 2024 Audi RS e-tron GT | Image: Supplied / Audi Lotus Emeya | Image: Lotus Lotus Eletre | Image: Lotus Still, the Taycan is faring better than it's platform-shared brother, the Audi e-Tron GT, whose sales were down a painful -75.2% in 2024 with 339 total sales for the year. They haven't rebounded in 2025 with just 16 vehicles delivered through April. It's a tough market for premium EVs in Australia, and no one knows that better than EV newcomer Lotus. The brands 'Porsche-rivalling' Eletre and Emeya models have struggled since their arrival. The Lotus Eletre SUV has managed two sales so far in 2025 and the Emeya GT has managed just three sales YTD. Last year, the Emeya managed a total of five sales on the year, and the Eletra managed 12 sales. In a struggling premium EV market, Porsche has figured it out. The success of the electric Macan in Australia is something they can hang their hat on, while the Taycan flagship continues to set the benchmark for all other electric vehilces globally.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store