Porsche’s Best-Selling SUV Is About To Get A Makeover

A new spy video shows that the Porsche Macan will receive one last facelift before the new model.

It’s been over four years since Porsche first introduced the Cayenne’s smaller sibling, the best-selling Macan. But while Audi has since replaced the Q5 which shares the same platform, Porsche isn’t planning to bring out an all-new Macan until 2021 which will have a range of engine options including an all-electric powertrain. To keep its design fresh, Porsche gave the Macan a makeover back in 2016 with a new facelifted model, and now a new spy video suggests that another facelift is just around the corner.

The prototype model featured is wearing little camouflage, but the footage was unfortunately captured during a heavy rain storm so some details are hard to make out. By the looks of things, the 2018 Porsche Macan’s facelift will be subtle. The biggest change can be seen at the back, as the sporty SUV’s taillights have been restyled.

There also appears to be a full-width reflector panel across the tailgate like the all-new Panamera and Cayenne. It also boasts a revised front fascia with LED daytime and new air ducts, as well as restyled front and rear bumpers. Elsewhere, the headlights have been upgraded with new LED graphics, but their overall shape remains the same. As for powertrains, the updated Macan is expected to replace the current car’s turbocharged 3.0-liter and 3.6-liter V6 gasoline engines with more advanced 3.0-liter and 2.9-liter units. The 3.0-liter V6 unit powering the current Macan S produces 335 hp, while the twin-turbo 3.6-liter powering the current Macan Turbo produces 394 hp.

Chances are the 2018 Porsche Macan facelift will receive modest power upgrades across the range. All should be revealed soon, as Porsche's updated compact SUV is expected to join the lineup this April.

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America’s Best-Selling Porsche Dealership Compensating $2.5 Million To Scam Victims

Former VP of marketing Shiraaz Sookralli ran off with $2.5 million worth of unfulfilled orders. Someone has to pay.

Earlier this month we learned the story of Shiraaz Sookralli, the now former VP of marketing for Champion Porsche, located in Pompano Beach, Florida. Sookralli and his wife Vimla are accused of scamming customers out of $2.5 million in unfulfilled orders on highly sought after Porsches like the latest 911 GT3 and GT3 RS. It doesn’t help that Champion Porsche previously had a rock-solid reputation as America’s top-volume Porsche dealership. While its overall sales will remain intact, the damage to its reputation needs some fixing, especially after it was named as a co-defendant in a lawsuit.

According to an updated report from Automotive News, the dealership vows to make things right with Sookralli’s victims. The dealership’s attorney, Roy Diaz, told Automotive News the dealership intends to “advance funds to customers equivelant to their deposits by October 12.” Above all, Champion Motors wants “to make sure that these victims – that’s what we’re calling them – come out of this from a customer satisfaction perspective as satisfied as possible,” Diaz added. Despite what happened, some customers apparently aren’t too upset at the dealership and will continue doing business there. Some intend to use their refunded deposits towards another Porsche purchase. Meanwhile, Champion Motors is still examining how it can recover the stolen $2.5 million.

Sookralli, as well as the money he stole, have yet to turn up. Sookralli, who worked for the dealership for nearly a decade, set up a shell company called Champion Autosport where the stolen funds were deposited. And despite taking and stealing those deposits, Sookralli never actually placed orders for any of the vehicles. Sookralli apparently already had a history of shady sales deals involving high-end Porsches. Earlier this year, for example, he was sued over the supposed sale of a pair of 911Rs, each valued at around $500,000. One of the 911Rs was never delivered, even though he took a $350,000 deposit from its hopeful buyer.

So on the one hand Champion Motors is absolutely doing the right thing by advancing the $2.5 million to reimburse Sookralli’s victims. However, it sounds a bit strange management didn’t clue into the fact that something was up based on Sookralli’s previous actions with the 911Rs and the fact no orders were actually placed despite accepting customer deposits.

View the original article here

America’s Best-Selling Porsche Dealership Compensating $2.5 Million To Scam Victims

Former VP of marketing Shiraaz Sookralli ran off with $2.5 million worth of unfulfilled orders. Someone has to pay.

Earlier this month we learned the story of Shiraaz Sookralli, the now former VP of marketing for Champion Porsche, located in Pompano Beach, Florida. Sookralli and his wife Vimla are accused of scamming customers out of $2.5 million in unfulfilled orders on highly sought after Porsches like the latest 911 GT3 and GT3 RS. It doesn’t help that Champion Porsche previously had a rock-solid reputation as America’s top-volume Porsche dealership. While its overall sales will remain intact, the damage to its reputation needs some fixing, especially after it was named as a co-defendant in a lawsuit.

According to an updated report from Automotive News, the dealership vows to make things right with Sookralli’s victims. The dealership’s attorney, Roy Diaz, told Automotive News the dealership intends to “advance funds to customers equivelant to their deposits by October 12.” Above all, Champion Motors wants “to make sure that these victims – that’s what we’re calling them – come out of this from a customer satisfaction perspective as satisfied as possible,” Diaz added. Despite what happened, some customers apparently aren’t too upset at the dealership and will continue doing business there. Some intend to use their refunded deposits towards another Porsche purchase. Meanwhile, Champion Motors is still examining how it can recover the stolen $2.5 million.

Sookralli, as well as the money he stole, have yet to turn up. Sookralli, who worked for the dealership for nearly a decade, set up a shell company called Champion Autosport where the stolen funds were deposited. And despite taking and stealing those deposits, Sookralli never actually placed orders for any of the vehicles. Sookralli apparently already had a history of shady sales deals involving high-end Porsches. Earlier this year, for example, he was sued over the supposed sale of a pair of 911Rs, each valued at around $500,000. One of the 911Rs was never delivered, even though he took a $350,000 deposit from its hopeful buyer.

So on the one hand Champion Motors is absolutely doing the right thing by advancing the $2.5 million to reimburse Sookralli’s victims. However, it sounds a bit strange management didn’t clue into the fact that something was up based on Sookralli’s previous actions with the 911Rs and the fact no orders were actually placed despite accepting customer deposits.

View the original article here