markcincinnati

"Macan engineers claim that the Q5's suspension geometry was so good, they weren't tempted to change it." -- Road & Track, June 2014 issue, p 62.

The article reveals (again) that the Macan is 30% Q5.

I have only one issue with the article -- and it, at this point, may be a nit. We'll see how the Macan comparison tests are carried out.

My issue is that there is no mention of the SQ5, only the Q5. Now, I would assume, perhaps even HOPE that the Macan will be a rung or two up the ladder from the SQ5 (if it isn't, it will be difficult to swallow -- for some -- a 5 figure up-charge when "comparably" equipped.)

As the owner of an SQ5 with the Prestige package and several optional extras, I found I can configure a somewhat similar Macan S. Hopefully any comparison tests of the Macan with a Range Rover and something probably from Mercedes and BMW (and maybe even Volvo, who knows?) will also include an SQ5.

I would fully expect the Macan to come out on top in a 4 or 5 or even 6-way comparo -- not sure if the SQ5 would be a close but proud second or third place however. I assume the SQ5 would finish no worse than 3rd place in such company (often wrong, but never uncertain, am I).

My beef remains, Road & Track must KNOW ABOUT the SQ5 (hell, I think they even tested it), yet to keep "comparing" the Macan (obliquely) to a Q5 seems at best inaccurate.

Finally, I have been to our two local Porsche dealers twice in as many weeks -- there are NO Macans in sight or even under-wraps. I've been wanting to drive the SQ5 in and then test drive a Macan S and drive out in the SQ5 to give a sense of the similarities and differences (in driving, not cargo space, or some other non performance feature) between the two.

Frankly, if the Macan S IS all the article(s) make it out to be, Porsche ought to sell a ton of these things -- and Audi ought to make double sure the updated SQ5 makes a fantastic "sophomore" debut.

Winner: the car buying public.

Drive it like you live!