---
title: "Is This Porsche Macan GTS’s Red Tach Cool or Dumb as Hell?"
description: "This simple gimmick just started an office argument. What do you think?"
date: "2020-02-10"
modified: "2020-02-11"
authors:
  - name: "Mike Spinelli"
    job_title: "VP of Content"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/mike-spinelli"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/32140/is-this-porsche-macan-gtss-red-tach-cool-or-dumb-as-hell"
categories:
  - "Car Tech"
  - "Electric Vehicles"
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
  - "Porsche News"
tags:
  - "compact"
  - "luxury"
  - "Macan"
  - "porsche"
  - "suv/crossover"
---

# Is This Porsche Macan GTS’s Red Tach Cool or Dumb as Hell?

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2020/02/macan_tach.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

I'm a sucker for completely over-the-top design elements in cars. If it were up to me, everything with a turbocharger in it, including the Kenworth W900, would have a massive TURBO sticker above its rocker panel. Racing stripes? How about 50 of them. Non-functional hood scoop? Only if it's a NACA duct, and at least six, please. Am I bothered by the [Honda Civic Type R](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/31794/the-updated-2020-honda-civic-type-r-gets-better-brakes-a-shorter-shifter-and-more>)'s fake intakes? Hell no. In fact, I think it could use about eight more, and a few extra in the glove box.

I have a review of the [2020 Porsche Macan GTS](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/32144/the-2020-porsche-macan-gts-makes-you-feel-like-a-race-car-driver-when-you-get-groceries>) coming out later today. Like previous models, you can get it with a Carmine Red tacho at top dead center of its dash binnacle. It's part of the [optional GTS interior package](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/32144/the-2020-porsche-macan-gts-makes-you-feel-like-a-race-car-driver-when-you-get-groceries>).

I think it punctuates the gauge cluster nicely, and even elevates the mundane aspects of driving, like sitting in Yankee Stadium traffic or waiting for a drawbridge to return to level. Some at *The Drive*'s headquarters think the red tach violates some universal gauge law against being in a state of perpetual warning. Others think it looks over the top and inappropriate for a crossover SUV, whose very existence is a Faustian bargain for a sports-car brand, not least of all Porsche.

Please help settle this debate. Is the red tach a neat feature or a gimmick? And is there any example of an automaker doing this better or worse than Porsche?

## Author
A sucker for Ford-era Jaguar XJs and glitchy, early-90s BMW V12s, Mike was the founding editor of car culture site Jalopnik, and a former editor-in-chief of 0-60. He's also a co-host of the TV show /DRIVE on NBC Sports, which can be seen from time to time on NBCSN, usually after midnight.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://instagram.com/mikespinelli>)  
[Twitter](<https://twitter.com/mikespin>)