German sportscar manufacturer Porsche has launched the second-generation of their Macan Sports-Utility Vehicle in India. Priced at Rs 69.98 lakh for the Macan and Rs 85.03 lakh (prices, ex-showroom) for the more powerful Macan S, both equipped with petrol engines, the latter coming with an all-new 354 horsepower V6 engine. Porsche recently announced that it would stop producing vehicles with diesel engines going forward, this part of the fallout that has enveloped Porsche’s parent, Volkswagen Auto Group. “Even in India many buyers, particularly in cities like Delhi are voting with their money to shift towards petrol vehicles, so this is not a major issue”, Pavan Shetty, Director, Porsche India told The Pioneer.

To make the Macan even more attractive to customers, Porsche India has also launched both basic and comprehensive service packages for customers. The comprehensive package covers all major consumables including tires. “Many buyers of luxury cars had an apprehension about Porsche because they though the vehicles are expensive to maintain and have expensive parts. But our affordable service packages will give customers peace of mind and importantly protect them from price inflation and foreign currency fluctuations”, Shetty told The Pioneer.

The German carmaker has aggressive product plans for 2019, already having launched the eighth-generation Porsche 911, followed by the Macan and has the Cayenne Coupe and the all-electric Taycan on the cards next. “The luxury market has been suffering, but towards the higher end of the market there has been relatively less of an impact, but then again you are talking of a very limited market for such cars. There are at best a thousand-odd households across the country that we look at. It is important therefore for the overall economy and thus the market to grow”, Shetty added.