What is the functional utility of the crossover class?
12-20-2013, 09:03 PM
#16
12-21-2013, 12:04 AM
#18
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This is good news as I was wondering if there was a way to get the car lower for more sporting situations. Do we know how much lower it will be in Sport+ mode? Do you have a reference for this information? Thanks
12-21-2013, 12:46 PM
#19
12-21-2013, 05:19 PM
#22
Race Director
Sadly after several years of declining sales in the US the wagon has all but disappeared from our shores, especially any with some performance, we are
pretty much left with the A4, 328i, E350... none of which are that interesting.
As a multiple (old) dog owner the wagon is a far superior dog carrier than any SUV due to the (lack of) ground clearance, which for old arthritic dogs is essential as they can neither climb into or out of a higher vehicle.
It also has to be said that pretty much any wagon out there handle and drives better than pretty much any SUV ...even I'd argue performance models like the BMW M's or Cayenne's ... there Ive said it now!
What's pretty ugly is BMW's attempt to replace their excellent 3 & 5 series wagons (which pretty much rule europes roads) with the 5 and 3 GT models
which could not be much uglier if they tried!
I agree that the cross over is probably a better solution for "off road"
and towing but for town and country the wagon is (for me) the way to go...
I should have got the E63 AMG wagon instead of my X5 ...
pretty much left with the A4, 328i, E350... none of which are that interesting.
As a multiple (old) dog owner the wagon is a far superior dog carrier than any SUV due to the (lack of) ground clearance, which for old arthritic dogs is essential as they can neither climb into or out of a higher vehicle.
It also has to be said that pretty much any wagon out there handle and drives better than pretty much any SUV ...even I'd argue performance models like the BMW M's or Cayenne's ... there Ive said it now!
What's pretty ugly is BMW's attempt to replace their excellent 3 & 5 series wagons (which pretty much rule europes roads) with the 5 and 3 GT models
which could not be much uglier if they tried!
I agree that the cross over is probably a better solution for "off road"
and towing but for town and country the wagon is (for me) the way to go...I should have got the E63 AMG wagon instead of my X5 ...
12-21-2013, 05:26 PM
#23
Race Director
True; my original statement started by comparing sedans and wagons, which offer almost all of the advantages, performance and otherwise, of a sedan with none of the packaging drawbacks. Crossovers, OTOH, are a compromise but still more versatile as all around vehicles than sedans, IMHO.
12-21-2013, 08:49 PM
#24
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If you do feel the need to take your Porsche Macan off-road, it’s worth opting for the air suspension. This improves the approach angle (already good thanks to the short overhangs) from 24.8 degrees to 26.6 degrees when the off-road mode is selected, and increases ground clearance to 230mm – 40mm higher than standard mode.
As standard, models fitted with air suspension sit 15mm lower than usual, and pressing the Sport Plus button lowers the Macan by yet another 10mm – giving it maximum on-road performance.
And, if loading the Macan’s boot is too difficult, you can lower the air suspension at the rear by 50mm below the ‘normal’ level using a button in the luggage compartment.
As standard, models fitted with air suspension sit 15mm lower than usual, and pressing the Sport Plus button lowers the Macan by yet another 10mm – giving it maximum on-road performance.
And, if loading the Macan’s boot is too difficult, you can lower the air suspension at the rear by 50mm below the ‘normal’ level using a button in the luggage compartment.
http://cars.uk.msn.com/features/pors...earned?page=21
12-21-2013, 09:34 PM
#27
Burning Brakes
12-21-2013, 09:46 PM
#28
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try and compare a Subaru to a Cayenne or Macan & you'd just be babbling from the mouth.
Subaru has its market, need & purpose but not even in the same shadow.
12-21-2013, 10:21 PM
#29
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I've been driving a cross over SUV for the last 10 years, an RX330. As has been said above, a cross over is essentially like a modern version of a station wagon. But, it sits a bit higher, which I like when on the road. And, it's great for hauling kids to soccer, baseball, swim meets, etc. And, it has all wheel drive, which helps get up my driveway when it snows. And, it has a bit more ground clearance, so on a mild dirt road with ruts on the way to a camping area for a boy scout trip it doesn't scrape on every rock sticking up and can handle mild off road well. My wife's full size SUV will do all this. But, the cross over does it all in a smaller package that isn't as high, or as big, yet can do what it needs to when the time comes.
In my opinion (and I had my deposit down two days after the LA Auto Show) the Macan is a very nice cross over for those who are willing to pay up for it. It will do what a Q5, or an RX 350, or any of the others will do, but it's going to handle much better, and do it all better.
The day I put my deposit down I drove a Cayenne with air suspension. It was great. On a very choppy highway with major cracks at every concrete joint the suspension would smooth it all out when put in "comfort" mode. But, it was a "European comfort" not a "Cadillac Comfort". It was still precise, not mushy. In sport mode it was more precise and firm. I'm betting the Macan air suspension will be very very similar.
I also drove the Cayenne more aggressively and it was incredible.
My son is going to get my Lexus RX 330. So, I'll still drive it once I get the Macan. I'm sure that when I switch between the two it will be night and day between them. All that said, I do like my RX. I'm sure I'm going to love the Macan.
My perspective.
Gordon
In my opinion (and I had my deposit down two days after the LA Auto Show) the Macan is a very nice cross over for those who are willing to pay up for it. It will do what a Q5, or an RX 350, or any of the others will do, but it's going to handle much better, and do it all better.
The day I put my deposit down I drove a Cayenne with air suspension. It was great. On a very choppy highway with major cracks at every concrete joint the suspension would smooth it all out when put in "comfort" mode. But, it was a "European comfort" not a "Cadillac Comfort". It was still precise, not mushy. In sport mode it was more precise and firm. I'm betting the Macan air suspension will be very very similar.
I also drove the Cayenne more aggressively and it was incredible.
My son is going to get my Lexus RX 330. So, I'll still drive it once I get the Macan. I'm sure that when I switch between the two it will be night and day between them. All that said, I do like my RX. I'm sure I'm going to love the Macan.
My perspective.
Gordon