Porsche has announced that they will put in production a new sports car in the SUV segment. It is called Macan, which is derived from the Indonesian word for tiger. The vehicle combines power, fascination and dynamics – core characteristics of this new all-terrain car.

"The Macan combines all sports car characteristics with the benefits of an SUV and is a genuine Porsche", commented Bernhard Maier, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing of Porsche AG.

"The name of a new Porsche has to fit with the brand, sound good in very many languages and dialects and evoke positive associations.", he added.

The new car will start coming off the production lines at the Porsche factory in Leipzig, Saxony, in 2013.

Porsche names have an indelible connection with the corresponding model and its characteristics: the name Boxster describes the combination of ‘boxer' engine and ‘roadster', Cayenne stands for sharpness, the Cayman is snappy and agile and a Panamera is more than a Gran Turismo, capable also of winning the Carrera Panamericana long-distance race.

2013 Porsche Macan sketch

Source: Porsche