Lifestyle: Motoring – Porsche Macan; Rolls Royce pimps its ride

ONE of the most important vehicles in Jaguar Land Rover’s recent history hits UK forecourts this spring – and it’s not one that bears either of the company’s iconic badges.

The new Porsche Macan has been winning plaudits since it made its global debut in Los Angeles last year.

The motoring press are in raptures over the new vehicle and claim it is the best compact SUV (sports utility vehicle) now on the market.

Bad news for JLR’s best-selling Evoque and its all-new Range Rover Sport. However, in truth, the Macan should not be judged against either as its market placing – and pricing – falls somewhere between the two.

Those that can afford it – it is priced from £43,300 to £59,300 – would bypass the Evoque anyway and those that hanker after the larger Range Rover Sport probably weren’t contemplating getting a Porsche anyway.

However, that isn’t to say the Macan isn’t proving popular. Reports claim the first 50,000 vehicles are already sold. Meaning those that walk into a Porsche showroom this spring are likely to be in for a long wait.

So why is it so popular?

The Macan is the sixth model line in the Porsche range and the German company claims it is the most dynamic vehicle in the compact sports utility vehicle segment.

Based on the Audi Q5 platform, although Porsche claim most of the parts are bespoke, the Macan comes in a choice of three high performance engines includes two new twin-turbocharged petrol powertrains.

The Macan S features a 340 hp 3.0-litre V6 that delivers 340 hp (250 kW), accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in 5.2 seconds and returns a claimed, 32.5 mpg. The 3.6-litre V6 bi-turbo engine in the Macan Turbo produces 400 hp (294 kW) and accelerates the vehicle to 62 mph in 4.8 seconds, with an average fuel consumption of up to 31.7 mpg. With a turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine and 258 hp (190 kW), the Macan S Diesel is billed as a long-distance sports car. The engine accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in 6.3 seconds and returns an average of 46.3 mpg.

There is a PDK twin-clutch gearbox in combination with all engines, while active all-wheel drive with Porsche Traction Management is standard on all models.

Will sir be requiring one’s ride pimped?

IF you’ve ever worried that your Rolls-Royce is not as exclusive as you might like – and I know I have sleepless nights worrying about just that – never fear.

The luxury motor company has revealed that its Bespoke business has now become more successful than ever with content on its range of super-luxury cars reaching new heights in 2013.

A staggering 95% of Rolls-Royce cars purchased last year were personalised by their owners, a point which the company says underlines the claim that Rolls-Royce is the go-to luxury carmaker for the connoisseur “who demands the best in individualisation”.

Global Bespoke take-up increased in 2013 as customers for Phantom and Ghost commissioned higher levels of Bespoke content on their cars. In its first year of availability, 90% of Wraiths were purchased with Bespoke options specified by their owners.

Middle-Eastern owners lived up to their reputation of demanding the most individual cars in the world with 99% of both Ghosts and Phantoms featuring various levels of Bespoke content. Levels of personalisation on Phantom were highest around the world compared to other Rolls-Royce models, with 98% of North American customers and 95% of European owners creating Bespoke Phantoms. In addition, 86% of Asian buyers created Bespoke Phantoms for themselves.

The Ghost, by its more informal nature, had a slightly lower Bespoke content outside the Middle East, with 96% of European buyers, 79% of North Americans and 54% of Asian owners individualising their cars.

All three models surpassed their revenue targets in 2013 with an overall revenue increase of 30% over 2012.

Torsten Müller-Ötvös, chief executive of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, said: “This continuing growth in Bespoke sales in 2013 proves the fact that Rolls-Royce is the home of Bespoke in the luxury world.

“The success of this operation continues to attract more discerning individuals from all over the world and reaffirms our decision to expand our Bespoke offer over the last three years.”

On a more positive note, the demand for the service has helped create 100 jobs for skilled craftsmen in the UK.

A right Royal ambassador for Jaguar

FORGET José Mourinho, Jaguar has come up with the ultimate brand ambassador for its new F-Type R coupé…Prince Harry.

The Prince took the opportunity to race a prototype version of the new sports car at Goodwood Motor Circuit during an event to raise awareness for one of his charities, The Endeavour Fund.

The Endeavour Fund helps injured service men and women rediscover their self-belief through physical challenge.

Prince Harry and some of the injured service personnel drove the high performance coupé – which has a top speed of 186 mph – around several laps of the famous motor circuit.

They were among the first people to drive the new sports car, which is set for delivery to its first customers in the UK from the end of March.

The new F-Type R coupé is capable of a 0-62mph sprint in 4 seconds and was part of an exclusive group of performance sports cars driven by injured service men and women at the famous West Sussex race venue as part of The Royal Foundation’s track day. Prince Harry is a Patron of The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry.

Drive safely.