2015 Porsche Macan crossover SUV takes center stage in LA

Amidst months of leaked images and unconfirmed rumors, Porsche has finally revealed its Macan crossover SUV this evening for the LA auto show. It's further evidence that scouring new footholds in the market is a necessity for sustaining business; a philosophy made prominent by BMW and will eventually stem down to the likes of Bentley, Jaguar and perhaps even Lamborghini.

While the Boxster was the instigator, the Cayenne SUV helped bolster Porsche in a time where it needed definition to exist -- despite purists kicking up a stink. Now, the Macan appears set to continue the trend, offering a mini Cayenne with more race than a greyhound.

That race comes in the form of a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6 for the Macan S, boasting 340 hp, and a 3.6-liter twin-turbo V-6 in the Macan Turbo, good for 400 hp and a 0-60 mph sprint of 4.4 seconds. That 3.6 is also a brand new engine to the Porsche family. Currently only two Macan models are available, but expect that list to grow.

More than just grunt, Porsche promises an agile handling machine that's still capable of playing in the dirt, thanks to its standard all-wheel drive system. Torque vectoring is an option, as is air suspension. The Sports Chrono package would be a wise investment, too, helping deliver the stout acceleration figures by adding another depth of sportiness to the engine, transmission and chassis settings.

2013 Los Angeles auto show

• • All-new 2015 Mini Cooper grows and shrinks

• • 2015 Mercedes AMG Vision Gran Turismo

• • Subaru WRX calms down

Visually, you'd be forgiven for mistaking the Macan for a Cayenne that's spent too much time in the sauna; it's shrunken, with as few extra creases -- although the rear taillights do show hints of 918, and the exhaust pipes appear large enough to fit Gene Simmons's head.

Expect pricing for the Macan S to start somewhere in the region of $50,000, with the Turbo model tipping $70,000. Porsche is aiming to sell an ambitious 50,000 of its crossovers per year. And while old-school, air-cooled aficionados may despair, it's cars like the Macan that help fund development for the iconic 911. And that's something we can all appreciate.