Seeking Build Feedback - Turbo or GTS

[Garylaw]

Back to the topic in case it helps others. After my test drive of the Macan EV Turbo and the purpose that I am going for, the Turbo is out, and GTS is in. This is my rationale for it, but I do want to ask to critique it as directly as possible.

GTS Build: PT1HKU97

Rationale for elimination of Turbo in order of importance:

#1. Highway and daily lows speed bumpy road comfort is not there since the only wheels I like the look of are 22-inch and there is nothing can overcome this and then my choice looks good on the configurator but super odd in person on the 2 Macans that were on the lot. This is the wheel and again does not look bad on a picture but not great in person.

#2. Round about handling may be even more important as we live in the world record of round abouts area certified by Guiness. The handling of Base, 4, and 4S on 21 of 22 without PTV+ and RWS was not good and van like as it is very heavy and wide. GTS is attempting to address this with 10mm lower normal setup, then I am ok with default 21-inch wheels and claimed tuning for better turning and cornering.

#3. Extra power is there on paper but in real life not perceptible to me vs. a 4S as the torque off the line is instant but then probably not much difference when passing at highway speeds. Launch control is a one trick pony so that is not something earning Turbo significant points. Also, I am betting on aftermarket tunes to appear later to match Turbo, but unlikely needed.

#4. Packaging is also not to my preference as I do not like carbon and prefer standard equipment black brushed aluminum of the GTS.

#5. GTS also comes with free upgrade to Glacier blue front and back with a theme of snow/ice for the color scheme and then arctic blue seatbelts to bring that theme inside.

#6. Other options are a lock as I cannot do without them: BM audio, Thermal Glass, Race-tex liner with steering to match, and all other cosmetic bits I am very familiar with.

#7. The only option I am struggling with is Drive Assist. ACC vs. Drive Assist does not explicitly states which one has ALK as this was the official term but now it is just some words below. Can someone confirm that Drive Assist is needed for ALK. Looks like it is in highlight.

Also, based on my dealer and the one I visited, they all have at least 1 GTS allocation with pretty quick turnaround and 1 Turbo with no one competing for them.

Fun bit, Porsche has a graph to measure emotion, so that is what you get with the GTS and the unique Sport Sounds are there to help. See ya all with the Turbos in my rear-view mirror on the emotional highway.

Great spec and loving the emotion graph, the more I read the more I think I went for the right choice with the GTS.

Someone on FB group just got his GTS delivered and said from driving it its a level above the Turbo as an overall package. I can see a few Turbo orders out there being switched to the GTS as we start to hear more.

Sponsored

 

[SergeyIndy]

Great spec and loving the emotion graph, the more I read the more I think I went for the right choice with the GTS.

Someone on FB group just got his GTS delivered and said from driving it its a level above the Turbo as an overall package. I can see a few Turbo orders out there being switched to the GTS as we start to hear more.

Do you own a GTS as it appears you may. I wonder about how the wheels look as it is hard to tell from pictures. The default 21-inch Anthracite Grey.

 

[Garylaw]

Do you own a GTS as it appears you may. I wonder about how the wheels look as it is hard to tell from pictures. The default 21-inch Anthracite Grey.

Not yet, still a few months wait for my GTS. Yeh I went for those 21s for more comfort & range however not a big fan of how they look and also wondering if they might look better in real pictures/in person. Sadly my favourite are the 21 Offroad wheels which are not available on the GTS for some reason.

 

[shawn]

Having only read along here until now, I've finally ordered a GTS (Porsche Code PTIFTMU9) after much deliberation. I test drove the Macan IV and the Macan Turbo, and after these test drives, I knew it would have to be a Turbo or a GTS. The Macan IV is very powerful up to 100 km/h, but its performance drops off noticeably above that. In contrast, the Turbo always had enough power. I actually prefer the look of the 14-way adjustable seats, but after trying both, I opted for the 18-ways, as they were significantly more comfortable for me. Unfortunately, this meant I lost the massage option. Same is with bose and Burmester- listend to both and Burmester sounded clearly better, especially with vocal music and moderat loudness. I like the GTS's exterior design best. Even though the Sport Design package is available for all other versions, I think it looks best on the GTS, especially since only the GTS has the side skirts that make the car appear wider. I don't like the Turbo's rear end because of the air vents. Overall, I find the Macan GTS to be the sweet spot of all the trim levels, as it's closer to the Turbo than the 4S and shares many parts with the Turbo, including the engine, brakes, and various reinforcements. The GTS is certainly the sportiest of the bunch, which could potentially be a disadvantage, as it's also tuned for a sportier feel in Comfort mode than the Turbo. Therefore, the Turbo seems to be the slightly more comfortable option. In any case, I'm really looking forward to my GTS, which is due to arrive at the end of March 2026.

I went through much of the same reasoning. However my 3 main must haves were.
1. Sports design package removing all the matt black plastic for the gloss black trim. With this I opted for car color side blades and mirror base.
2. 22" spyder wheels painted in Dolomite Silver to match the car. It is really the only rim color match I would do as many rims are either black or silver anyway but this way the silver will match the exterior perfectly. I know this is a risk to comfort but I am hoping the air suspension will be fine and all the reviews of turbos with 22 inch rims were positive. I do not think the 1 cm (10 mm) lower ride hight will impact the ride comfort that much and the "sport tuning" as it may be in normal mode is not something I can experience for myself yet. It is in anycase still an SUV so it should not be unacceptable especially since most of the roads I drive on are quite good. I can always get another set of 21s if I discover otherwise.
3. Two tone seats with all leather interior. I just like the contrast of the black and beige. I also picked the summerwood and Neodyme accents to warm it up and add a pop of color.

Here is my build
https://porsche-code.com/PTUNL1K6

I kept what I loved about my Macan 4 -> Rear axle steering, 18 way seats, Bose with that nice base and the carbon fiber steering wheel!. I did not get the HUD because I really do not drive anywere I don't already know where I am going so it would be a fancy bit of waste for me.

Sponsored