Having updated the first-generation Macan after five years on the market, Porsche unveiled a revised version of the Turbo model for the 2020 model year. The refreshed Turbo remains heavily based on the regular Macan, but Porsche made big changes under the hood, replacing the old 3.6-liter V-6 with a smaller 2.9-liter unit. While it's not the most powerful Macan ever produced, it's definitely the quickest. Let's find out why.

The 2020 Porsche Macan Turbo is a 911 on stilts

Granted, the design of the Macan Turbo is far from new. We've already seen the SUV's design language when the standard model debuted for 2019, but the Turbo-specific features make it look even more like a 911 with a more prominent hunch and a taller ride height.

Changes from the regular Macan are quite significant, starting with the LED daytime running lights having been relocated at the top of the front side vents. On the regular Macan, they're placed at the bottom. By moving them at the top, Porsche made the Macan Turbo look even more like the 911. The bumper grille is also thinner, while the side vents have just one strake instead of two. The front fascia is rounded off by standard LED headlamps with Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS).

The Turbo's profile isn't a massive departure from the regular Macan, but it now features Sport Design side skirts and mirror caps, which basically means that they're painted in body color and 20-inch wheels as standard. Around back, we can see a unique roof spoiler in a double-wing design, as well as a four-quad exhaust pipe layout with silver end pieces. A "Macan Turbo" badge adorns the tailgate right under the "Porsche" lettering embedded in the taillights.

The lizard-like green paint is also a very cool choice for this car, but Porsche will surely offer more traditional colors like white, black, or red.

The 2020 Porsche Macan Turbo is sporty and fancy inside the cabin

The Macan Turbo benefits from all the upgrades we've seen in the regular model launched for the 2019 model year. It has a new, 11-inch infotainment display, a revised Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system that eliminates some of the buttons from the center stack, repositioned A/C vents, and redesigned seats. The Turbo comes with the fanciest, adaptive sports seats as standard. They're wrapped in leather and feature 18-way adjustment. The SUV also features Alcantara roof lining and brushed aluminum trim as standard, items that are optional on non-turbo Macans.

The heated GT sports steering wheel based on that of the 911 is optional on this model. The PCM system comes with a BOSE Surround Sound system with 14 speakers generating 665 watts on this model. It also includes online navigation, real-time traffic information, and smart voice control. The long list of standard features also includes Porsche Connect Plus, which comes with an LTE telephone module, an integrated SIM card, and a slot for an external SIM card, as well as Wi-Fi hotspot.

The 2020 Porsche Macan Turbo Packs a Smaller Engine with a Solid Punch

The Macan Turbo continues with a V-6 engine under the hood, but Porsche dropped the old 3.6-liter unit in favor of a 2.9-liter mill. Shared with the bigger Cayenne and the Panamera sedan, it features a cooled exhaust manifold integrated into the cylinder head for more efficient combustion and short exhaust paths between the combustion chambers and the turbochargers for rapid build-up of power and better response.

How much power does it generate? The 2.9-liter V-6 cranks out 440 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. That's 40 extra horses and identical torque compared to the outgoing Macan Turbo. It's also on par with the old Macan Turbo Performance Package in terms of horsepower but misses 37 pound-feet. So technically speaking, it's not the most powerful Macan ever made.

However, it's by far the quickest. The revised underpinnings and the new engine help the Macan Turbo hit 62 mph in 4.3 seconds with the Sport Chrono Package. That's three tenths quicker than the old Macan Turbo and a tenth second faster than the old Macan Turbo Performance Pack. Top speed is rated at 168 mph, four mph higher than the old model. However, this rating puts the new Macan Turbo on par with the outgoing Turbo Performance Pack model.

As before, the Macan Turbo features a seven-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission and the Porsche Traction Management (PTM) all-wheel-drive system. The SUV also comes with the Porsche Surface Coated Brake (PSCB) system as standard. These high-performance brakes feature a tungsten carbide coating on the discs, which allow a faster response, less wear and up to 90 percent less brake dust compared to conventional cast iron brakes.

To further increase the Macan Turbo's performance, Porsche offers an optional height-adjustable air suspension with new shock absorber hydraulics, Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus, and the Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB).

2020 Porsche Macan Turbo specifications

Further reading

Read our full review on the 2020 Porsche Macan S.

Read our full review on the 2019 Porsche Macan.