Last week when Porsche announced the Macan (the official model name of what we all knew up ’till then as the Cajun) there were lots of discussions – some good but most bad – around the new name. Some thought it was better than the presumed “Cajun” while others thought it just as bad, if not worse.
Porsche themselves went to great lengths to explain their naming choice. The press release even talked about the meaning behind some of their past naming decisions: 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 Tourismo, capable also of winning the Carrera Panamericana long-distance race.
So, I ask you this, when it comes to the name of anything other than the Porsche 911, does it really matter? Do you think Porsche will actually sell more or less of the new baby SUV because of a poor naming choice? Would you buy (or more importantly not buy) a Porsche based on the model name?
Porsche claims that most of their model names have significant meaning. The Boxster is a combination of the boxer motor and roadster body style; the Cayenne stands for “sharpness” (although owners and fans think of it as a “pepper”); the Cayman is “snappy and agile” just like the reptile it shares a name with and the Panamera is named for the long distance race Carrera Panamerica, an event the four door sedan is more than capable of participating in and winning. So, when Porsche announced that the new baby Cayenne would not be called the Pajun (thank God) but rather the Macan (marginally better), they provided an explanation as well.
What Does the Porsche Model Name “Macan” Mean?
According to the Posche PR department, the name Macan is derived from the Indonesian word for tiger and combines suppleness, power, fascination and dynamics. These are supposedly the core characteristics of the new off-road car SUV.
“The Macan combines all sports car characteristics with the benefits of a SUV and is a genuine Porsche”, said 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.”
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