Porsche CEO hints at Macan GTS, expects brand sales growth to 200K+

Tue, 11 Feb 2014

Porsche is expecting big things from its little Macan, with CEO Matthias Mueller announcing that not only is a sportier GTS model being considered, but that the CUV will almost certainly help push Porsche beyond its 200,000-unit-per-year sales goal three years earlier than expected.

"We're transferring the genes of the Porsche brand into a new market segment," Mueller said during a speech to kick off Macan production, according to Automotive News Europe. Macan demand should push the brand past 200,000 sales, Mueller said, confirming what we reported back in August. And if Porsche really has a hit on its hands, it is able to boost production of the sporty crossover beyond its initial capacity of 50,000 units, according to the brand's CEO.

Provided that the Macan is the success Porsche hopes it will be, Mueller hinted that the range could expand beyond the initial Macan S and Macan Turbo. "GTS versions have a tradition at Porsche," Mueller said. "We haven't made a final decision yet regarding the Macan, but I'm sure it makes a lot of sense."

A Macan GTS would certainly be an anomaly in the luxury CUV market. The closest thing the Macan has to a competitor is the Audi SQ5, which barely outguns the standard Macan S, let alone the 400-horsepower Macan Turbo. The arrival of a sportier, more agile GTS model could be all that's needed to allow the Macan to become the de facto small CUV for anyone that wants something sportier than the norm.

By Brandon Turkus