Notice the four (yes, 4) exclamation points in the title of this post. That pretty much encapsulates how much fun I had today driving the Macan GTS at the Porsche Experience Center in Atlanta.
To begin with, here's the view from the Carrera Cafe overlooking the track first thing in the morning. All that lovely track just sitting there waiting for us to begin. The anticipation is palpable.
No worries here. The track is delightful and full of fun things to do. Vehicle dynamics, kick plate, low friction handling, launch control and slalom (my favorite). Max (my coach) and I did them all. Speaking of, here's Max standing next to the amazing Macan GTS.
Max is a movie stuntman and works part time as needed at the Porsche Experience Center (PEC) as a coach. Max has worked on The Walking Dead, The Hunger Games and most recently on Stranger Things! You know that scene where Steve (the rich boyfriend) climbs up on the roof of the house to spy on Nancy hanging out with Jonathan? That was actually Max the stuntman! Anyway, the important thing about Max is that he was an excellent coach and gave great driving instructions in a clear and calm manner. He really made the experience a great one and I have to give him a shout out.
And apologies at this point. You are going to see my pasty face in a couple of photos taken by Max. The first one me setting up for a corner:
And here's me on the other side of said corner:
Cheesy grin, indeed. What can I say, I was having a blast! And the Macan...what a ride. Within minutes of me getting in the seat and heading out on the track I was completely in the groove with it. It was comfortable, fast and confidence inspiring. At no time did it ever feel less than supremely capable.
After driving one I can see why Porsche sells so many Macans. It's pretty much the perfect sports car that is also very practical and can be daily driven with little to no sacrifices. And yes, it is a sports car. The GTS I was driving didn't feel like an SUV or even a crossover or lifted wagon. It felt like a planted and nimble sports car and as I drove and pushed it harder it pretty much melted away from my awareness and just did what I asked it to do.
Probably the most amazing component of the Macan GTS is the body control. The Macan weighs over
four thousand pounds so it is not a light vehicle. But in Sport Plus it stays planted and level in the corners and if you understeer through a corner its because you set up the corner incorrectly and not due to the vehicle. Yes it is fast. Yes it sounds good. Yes the PDK transmission is excellent and yes the steering is nicely weighted and responsive. But it's the crazy good vehicle dynamics courtesy of the body control that really, really impresses me with the Macan GTS.
One day, I would be happy to have one in my garage and after my time today I can confidently say that it is absolutely worth the asking price. What a vehicle, what a track, what a day!
