2015 Porsche Macan undergoes final U.S. testing

1 / 11

While remaining Teutonically tight-lipped about all of the 2015 Porsche Macan's mechanical bits and passenger compartment trappings until next month when its new compact crossover SUV debuts at the Los Angeles Auto Show, the automaker has now offered a virtually undisguised look at the Macan's exterior. The photos, which appeared on Porsche's European press site, show the Cayenne's baby brother undergoing a series of on- and off-road evaluations earlier this month in Southern California.

Also: 10 Best Luxury SUVs of 2013

As we indicated previously, the 5-passenger Macan will share a good deal of basic platform engineering with its corporate cousin, the Audi Q5. However, this versatile new Porsche will feature bespoke structural tweaks and chassis tuning as well as unique exterior and interior styling. Here in America, the Macan is expected of be offered with a 2.0-liter TFSI turbochaged/direct-injected 4-cylinder gasoline engine and a 3.0-liter supercharged V6, 6-speed manual or 7-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. A  Euro-focused Turbodiesel as well as a hybrid alternative also are possible for the U.S. market, although neither will be part of the launch mix. Full details about the 2015 Porsche Macan will be revealed at its LA premiere. Sales are set to start next spring and pricing is expected to begin around $45,000.