Porsche Cars

Porsche new super will be launched in April 2011

2011-01-03T21:58:00.000-08:00

Porsche New Super Car

There are a slew of new models that Porsche has in line for the New Year. They have announced the beginning of their show to be held at the American International Auto Show in Detroit which is scheduled from January 10 to 23. Their website www.porsche.com/detroit would also display these events live as per their announcement. No details have been forthcoming from the company on these cars but the first one to debut at the Detroit show would be a supercar with a twin-turbo engine delivering over 600 hp as per German Magazine AutoBild.
The car is to be an all wheel drive model and light by weight. This has been achieved by using carbon fiber. The acceleration factor of the car reads 0 to 100 kmph that is 62 mph in less than 4 seconds. Top speed of the car is listed at 300 kmph or 186 mph. There is also the possibility of Porsche coming out with their 918 Spyder concept at the same Detroit show.

Porsche Cayenne S speedHYBRID 450

2010-08-21T21:59:00.000-07:00

Porsche Cayenne S speedHYBRID 450

speedART speedHYBRID 450

The latest innovation of the Porsche Tuner speedART from Rutesheim near Stuttgart is called speedHYBRID 450 which is based on the new Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid. Please find attached an overview on the Tuning activities done by speedART:

Porsche officially working on a smaller SUV

2010-06-26T08:11:00.000-07:00

Porsche is currently working on a fifth model on their line-up, a smaller SUV placed under the current Cayenne. The new model will join the current Boxster, 911, Cayenne, and Panamera model and, according to a company insider, "with the new model, Porsche will open up a market in which until now only Mercedes and BMW were active."

The arrival of a new model line is a huge investment, but so was the Cayenne that in the end grew production from 50,000 to 92,000 units per year. The new model will be based on the Audi Q5 and the upcoming Q3. Previous rumors said it would be called Roxster.

The "Roxster" will be a luxury car with sporty handling characteristics and high achievement. Sportier than the current Cayenne, it will feature muscular line contours, LED headlamps, and taillights. Most likely the future model will be offered with V6 and V8 engines, with output ranging from 280 to 500 HP for a possible Turbo version.

2011 Porsche Panamera V6

2010-06-26T08:10:00.000-07:00

911 addicts hate the Panamera only slightly less than the company's Cayenne SUV (in fact, they can barely stand the Boxster) and would like nothing more than to see the Panamera fall flat on its face.

A casual inspection of the new base model Panamera's specification sheet might lead one to believe it a veritable morsel of aforementioned poop.

Though the lopping off of two cylinders saves some 30 kilograms, the new Panamera is still pushing perilously close to two tons, a formidable heft for any engine to motivate, let alone a relatively minuscule 3.6-litre V6.

Worse yet, at least according to that spec sheet, is that Porsche developed the V6 by simply lopping off two of the 4.8L V8's cylinders, never the way to optimize a six-cylinder powertrain. V6s are best harmonically balanced and, therefore, smoother running when aligned 60 degrees between the cylinder banks. Ninety degrees, like the Mercedes 3.5L V6, seldom works as well, feeling coarse and unsophisticated by comparison. The combination of that heft with a rough, high-revving engine could easily have been a huge mistake.

Thankfully for Porsche, the Panamera V6 never feels even remotely unsophisticated. Indeed, the new 3.6L is something of a marvel, feeling both powerful and surprisingly smooth - at least from inside the cabin. Most surprising, perhaps, is that Porsche bothered to develop its own V6 at all.

After all, the Cayenne makes do with a Volkswagen-sourced V6 that shares the very same performance statistics - 300 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque - as the Panamera. That's about all they share, although both offer unconventional formats.

The Panamera version is the unusual 90 degrees mentioned earlier, but the Cayenne's is equally unusual, its 3.6L V6 being a narrow-angle setup (10.6 degrees) made famous in various Volkswagen sports models. On the other hand, the Cayenne's VR6's is massively undersquare with a 89-millimetre bore and a long 96.4-mm stroke, while the Porsche 3.6 is a high-revving oversquare design with Porsche's Variocam variable valve timing.

Quite why Porsche forges ahead with two V6s of identical performance - when other companies are trying to minimize costly parts proliferation - is quite a mystery. Porsche's press kit makes a big deal about the automaker ``choosing'' the 90-degree format because it offers a lower centre of gravity, but that's a load of the aforementioned puppy droppings. The real reason for the format is that it was much cheaper to lop off two cylinders from the V8 rather than develop an all-new engine block.

Porsche Cayenne Price and Pictures

2010-06-26T07:26:00.000-07:00

Around the turn of the millennium, legions of Porsche aficionados were outraged. It had become known that Porsche’s then chief executive, Wendelin Wiedeking, was planning to add a four-wheel-drive SUV, the Cayenne, to the range of this most iconic sports carmaker. The main planks of Wiedeking’s argument in favour of the project were that the Cayenne would create a new market sector for Porsche, and a major revenue stream to counter the volatility of the sports car market.

His argument held. The Cayenne went on to be the most successful vehicle Porsche has ever produced. Some 280,000 have been sold since 2003, when the first came off the production line at a purpose-built factory near Leipzig – with 14,000 rumbling around in the UK alone.

Now it is time for Cayenne Mark 2. Even though Porsche enthusiasts consider the first Cayenne to be rather ugly, its successor has a lot to live up to. Indeed, the memory of my first test session in the original Cayenne Turbo, on the racing circuit Porsche built alongside the Leipzig factory, is indelible. From the driving seat, the car felt uncomfortably high off the ground, even for an SUV. It also had well over 400 horsepower, went like the wind and – I told the grinning chief test driver sitting beside me – without question this two-tonne tub of lard was going to roll over in the first high-speed corner.

It didn’t. Instead, it broke traction well before lifting a wheel. Thereafter the trick to driving it quickly became obvious: just throw it sideways. It was like defying the laws of physics.

But not only does the Cayenne Mark 2 better the original on every count, it also takes Porsche into new territory with its very first hybrid. In terms of looks, it is still the case that only its mother might truly love it, but its redesigned exterior has acquired an altogether sleeker, less porcine appearance.

The Porsche Cayenne Is The Best Tractor Ever

2010-06-24T23:01:00.000-07:00

Way back when, Ferdinand Porsche designed tractors. Now the Porsche Cayenne his company builds has returned to the fields, lugging a Dutch farmer's 21' sod roller, if only for a photo op and some bragging rights.

The Porsche Cayenne Turbo generates an impressive 450 HP and 450 lb-ft of torque from its twin turbo V8, more than enough to pull the roller along the ground. The nutty farmer had to modify the implement's hitch a bit to fit it to the Porsche, but it works. Of course, the Cayenne isn't fitted with an auxiliary hydraulic pump and rear-mounted quick connects to work the lift wheels (though we're sure Porsche would be happy to fit one for a tremendous price), so this has limited use other than a sight gag.

Porsche 928 successor sketch shows up

2010-06-24T23:00:00.000-07:00

Official sketch hints at Porsche 928 successor

Ever since the Panamera sedan made its market debut, there have been rumors that Porsche will do a coupe based on the same chassis that would be a successor to the 928, the company’s first mass-produced V8 powered model. We finally have something “official” from Porsche and you’re looking at it (the picture above).

The sketch has popped up on the opening page of the Porsche Consulting website and appears to show a successor to the 928 V8 coupe with strong 911 design cues.

2011 Porsche Cayenne: First Drive

2010-06-21T18:57:00.001-07:00

Well it did not originate in France as the aforementioned dance form, but the Teutonic goliath from Stuttgart has just received a fantastic new avatar that makes it dance through all possible demands with flair and pomp. Adil Jal Darukhanawala kicks up some serious sand in Dubai

Did you know that the second generation Porsche Cayenne was launched at the Geneva Motor Show this year? Well how could you when its thunder was stolen by none other than the 918 Spider which also went on to be the undisputed star of the show. It was pretty much impossible to try and make mindspace available for the Cayenne's second coming, so enticing was the prospect of the 918 but then the Cayenne is a total anathema to Porsche purists. It was butch and huge and defied the laws of physics to go quick in a straight line and hang on tight through the corners, just like a svelte Porsche sportscar could and this more than anything else has made it hold its head high, not just in the sports car maker's line-up but also as one of the most capable SUV's in the world. Heck, with over 270,000 units sold of the first generation offering and with orders for 10,000 of the new car already in hand, the Cayenne can be looked at but in only one way - as a stunning success!

Porsche had invited a select bunch of Indian automotive hacks for the official first drive of the new Cayenne in Leipzig but with Iceland's Eyjafjallaj?kull volcano blowing its top, the trip to colder climes was changed to the sandy wastes of Dubai's Big Red, replete with sand dunes and long stretches of straight tarmac. In fact the latter was a no-brainer because with any of the Cayennes capable of top speeds in excess of 250km/h, this SUV just thundered over any and everything in sight, smothering everything in its wake and one could only admire the car's body control, poise and yes, of course, its immaculate ride quality but more of that later.

So what's with the second generation Cayenne one might well ask and the most important bit is that the largely evolutionary changes have made a good product even better. And everything starts with its new look which sits on the vehicle very comfortably, so much so that its proportions make it look smaller visually than its predecessor. Now for a vehicle which has actually grown in length by 48mm to be deemed this is praiseworthy but the new nose and the overall detail around the bonnet and the new lights makes the second generation Cayenne come out far prettier and less aggressive than the original. Factor in the new glass house treatment and the Cayenne makes a most positive impact on the mind.

What has gone behind making the new Cayenne seem smaller despite increased dimensions is some serious sculpting with the clay knife of the designers. The behemoth has ditched all its 911 inspired rotundity and gone on a serious fat-to-muscle diet which has it look like an SUV that is much closer to the grand touring Panamera in its visual approach as opposed to looking like an elongated 911 sportscar. That certainly is a good move since the new car now has a distinct design identity of its own which banks on being more approachable and should appeal to an even wider audience. The toning treatment is also in cue with the engineering approach that the boffins at Porsche AG took for the new Cayenne which involved severe weight loss. They have done well given that their flagship V8 powered Cayenne Turbo has lost a good 185 kilograms between generations

2011 Porsche Cayenne Lands in U.S.

2010-06-21T18:55:00.000-07:00

Porsche said the first of its redesigned 2011 Cayenne models have begun arriving at U.S. dealers. The new Cayenne S is priced from $64,675, while the Cayenne Turbo starts at $105,775. Prices include a $975 shipping charge.

The all-new Cayenne S Hybrid, priced from $68,675, won't reach showrooms until fall, when it will be joined by a base Cayenne, starting at $47,675.

For 2011, the Cayenne gets all-new sheetmetal and a roomier cockpit, plus such available high-tech features as Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus, Porsche Dynamic Light System, Lane Change Assistant, Adaptive Cruise Control and Automatic Start/Stop.

The Cayenne S features a 400-horsepower 4.8-liter V8, while the Cayenne Turbo is fitted with a 500-hp twin-turbo version of the same engine. The base Cayenne gets a 300-hp 3.6-liter V6, and the Cayenne S Hybrid mates a 333-hp supercharged 3.0-liter V6 with a 34-kw electric motor.

EPA has rated the Cayenne S at 16 mpg city and 22 highway and the Cayenne Turbo at 15/22. Fuel-economy ratings aren't available yet on the base Cayenne and Cayenne S Hybrid.

Porsche’s Newest 911 – 620 Horsepower & 20 MPG

2010-05-27T04:30:00.000-07:00

On the heels of Ferrari unveiling its new 599 GTO, Porsche has unveiled its most powerful production 911 ever. The new 911 GT2 RS is set to make its debut later this summer at the Moscow Auto Show, but Porsche couldn’t wait to dampen the excitement over the new Ferrari by releasing some impressive numbers of its own.

The new GT2 RS shaves 154 pounds off of the existing GT2. Add to that an extra 90 horsepower and you can see why the Porsche faithful are excited. The 620 horsepower car lapped the Nürburgring-Nordschleife in just seven minutes, 18 seconds. That’s a new production car record, and four seconds faster than the old record held by the Viper ACR. Of course ‘Ring times are always hotly debated, as are the definitions of “production car.” Suffice to say the new GT2 RS is quick and will keep most cars in its rear view mirror by the time they hit the first turns through Hatzenbach.

The 3.6 liter flat six uses the variable geometry turbo chargers that have been standard on the last several boosted Porsches. Unlike the Ferrari 599GTO with it’s F1 derived drivetrain, the GT2 RS still relies on a standard six speed manual gear box.

Read More http://www.wired.com/autopia/2010/05/porsches-most-powerful-production-911-ever-620-horsepower-20-mpg/#ixzz0p835r4dLa

2010 Porsche 997 Turbo By APS Sportec

2010-05-27T04:28:00.001-07:00

APS of Brackley is the importer of Swiss tuner Sportec in UK, and recently they’ve decided to come up with their own package for the new facelifted Porsche 911 Turbo using Sportec parts. On the outside not much work has been done, you only get forged alloy wheels, spoiler lip, side and rear skirts. But the car’s 493 bhp 6-cylinder 3.8 liter boxer engine has been tweaked more deeply.

With the Sportec ‘580’ conversion kit, the car gets a stainless steel sports exhaust system with high flow catalytic converters and two 70mm ‘twin’ tailpipes which also comes with a pair of sound throttles, which means the driver can change the noise of the car via a remote control inside the cabin.

Then the standard Porsche air filter is replaced by a Sportec high flow panel element, and the ECU is remapped with a new software developed by Sportec. The result of this changes are 580 bhp and peak torque hits 800 Nm (590 lb.ft).

Porsche 911 Turbo Simply The Best

2010-05-27T04:16:00.000-07:00

The 2010 Porsche Turbo Cabriolet is the single best automobile I’ve ever driven in my lifetime and likely ever will.

There, I said it.

And now, allow me to explain why.

There is usually an inverse correlation between a performance car’s ultimate abilities and its practicality. Too often, fast cars are fun to drive on the open road, where you can wring them out to their capabilities. But as anyone who’s ever spent any time in, say, a Lamborghini, Lotus or even some Corvettes will tell you, there are usually huge tradeoffs in functionality.

Whether its exterior visibility or cockpit space and ergonomics, performance cars can flat be difficult and uncomfortable in daily commuting. And that’s where the 911 Turbo truly is transcendent.

This is a car that has a 500-horsepower turbocharged engine, accelerates from zero to 60 miles per hour in a staggering 3.2 seconds, and has a top speed of 194 mph. It handles like a slot car, with ultimate limits far in excess of the vast majority of drivers. In fact, you will almost certainly run out of nerve and/or talent with this car long before the car runs out of grip.
And yet, the 911 Turbo is as docile as the family minivan in traffic. It even delivers the same fuel mileage – 17 mpg city/25 highway – as a Honda Odyssey. It idles smoothly, is happy running at normal speeds and is the ultimate in no muss, no fuss.

A huge part of the credit for the street-friendly civility of the 911 Turbo goes to the Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) seven-speed dual clutch transmission. Basically, with this transmission, you can either put it in drive and let it shift itself or use the Formula 1-style paddle shifters mounted on the steering wheel.

While some will doubtless think of it as heresy to drive a Porsche without a full-on manual gearbox, get over it. If semi-automatics are good enough for Formula 1 cars – and they are – they are plenty good for a high-performance Porsche.

It should go without saying that one of true defining characteristics of all 911 models is the brakes. The 2010 911 Turbo is no exception, with six-piston monobloc calipers up front, front discs that measure 14.96 inches by 1.34 inches (380 mm by 34 mm) and rear discs that are 13.78 inches by 1.1 inches (350 mm by 28 mm).

The suspension is equally stellar. Up front is a McPherson design with spring strut axles with separately mounted longitudinal and track control arms, conical stump springs with an inner damper, and twin-sleeve gas-pressurized dampers.

In the rear are Porsche's five-arm, spring-strut suspension with longitudinal and track control arms. The rear coil springs have co-axial, single-sleeve gas-pressure inner dampers.

There are also a whole host of electronic controls that work synergistically to optimize handling, braking and acceleration. Let’s cut to the quick here: You could spend a month reading about all the technical elements of this car, but the bottom line is that it corners as if it’s on rails. As noted earlier, the limits of this car are higher than the limits of 99.9 percent of the drivers out there.

The cockpit is damned near perfect, too. I’m 6-foot-4 and not at all thin, yet I had all the room I possibly needed behind the wheel. And even with the easy-to-operate convertible top up, visibility in all directions was excellent.

The build quality of the 911 is absolutely top notch, with high-grade materials and excellent ergonomics. Everyone who got into the cockpit did exactly the same thing as they sat down: ran their hand over the dashboard and went, “Oooh.” Fit and finish was to die for, and in truth, the cockpit was much more comfortable than I would have expected.

Last but certainly not least, there’s the whole question of aesthetics. The 911 Turbo has iconic lines that trace directly back to the first 911s in the mid-1960s. This is a stunning design, sexy but elegant with lines that have and will withstand the test of time.

None of this comes cheap, of course. The “base” price of a 911 Turbo Cabriolet is $143,800, and our tester topped out at a little over $172k. That’s far more than most of us will ever be able to afford, but I will say it represents an excellent value.

911-hp Porsche 911 GT2 By Switzer Performance

2010-05-16T19:08:00.000-07:00

So you thought the new Porsche 911 GT2 RS is powerful ha?! Well, check out Switzer’s idea of a hot GT2. It is based on their P800 package which had 800 hp, but this one’s called the R911S, and there’s a clue! It has an insane 911 hp. Apparently it’s the same as the P800 only with much bigger intercoolers. And the coolest thing is that Switzer has priced it at $239,900, cheaper than the 620-hp GT2 RS.

So it’s very powerful and undoubtedly very fast in straight line, but what about corners? You see even the standard GT2 with 530 hp is a tricky little thing to drive fast, so Switzer Performance has equipped their car with titanium inverted-front-strut, remote-reservoir suspension engineered by the track experts at JRZ.

Whatever that is, Switzer says that it’s not just a tough and unforgiving racing suspension, it features hand-selected spring and damping rates, specifically catering to each client’s track experience and level of aggression.

Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo Diesel

2010-05-16T19:07:00.000-07:00

Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6

THE determined march of the diesel engine shows no sign of waning and with Porsche now on board there surely is no turning back.

Okay, it might not be a 911, rather the Cayenne SUV - so all those Porsche purists can rest easy.

It’s common sense really to go down the diesel route and made all the more easy now that Porsche and Volkswagen are all part of one big happy family.

The diesel engine concerned is normally to be found in Audi’s Q7 so it is well suited to doing the job in the Cayenne.

It’s a proven 3.0-litre V6 unit that in the Cayenne delivers 240bhp and an impressive 550Nm of torque.

Quite a few modifications have been made to accommodate it in the Cayenne.

Great efforts have been made with insulation to ensure occupants are blissfully unaware the vehicle is being powered by a diesel engine, even down to its specially developed thick windscreen to keep noise and vibration at bay.

They have done a remarkably good job. In the cocooned environment of the cabin with all the windows up there’s little to suggest you are relying on diesel power. Added to that the engine has been tuned to produce rather a sweet note.

The Cayenne might not be the only sporty SUV around but it is probably the best known and in truth is one of the few to offer genuinely thrilling performance.

While the entry level model doesn’t quite deliver in this regard all the other petrol-powered models do, from the ‘S’ which is a good all-rounder to the blistering pace of the ‘Turbo’ and in between them the on-road focused ‘GTS’.

So does the diesel deliver too?

Performance is without doubt impressive and the Cayenne Diesel does not feel like the poor relative of the range.

It is swifter over the 0-62mph sprint than the standard petrol model, completing it in 8.3 seconds and has a top speed of 133mph.

On open and winding roads it’s a joy to drive and both its handling and power impressed. It retains an authentic sporty feel and arguably gives even the Cayenne S a run for its money.

And it does all this while returning 30.4mpg on the combined cycle and CO2 emissions of 244g/km.

My previous Cayenne encounters tended to engender a preoccupation with the rapidly diminishing fuel supply but the diesel seemed to soak up the miles, particularly on the motorway, with little needle movement.

As well as delivering on road I expect it’s a consummate off-road performer too, particularly with all that low-end torque to call on – though I didn’t get an opportunity to explore its mud-plugging prowess.

There is no manual available, a Tiptronic S automatic gearbox is fitted as standard.

Prices start at £39,404.

FAST FACTS

Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo Diesel

Price: £39,404

Mechanical: 240bhp, 2,967cc, 6cyl diesel engine driving four wheels via 6-speed automatic gearbox

Max speed: 133mph

0-62mph: 8.3 seconds

Combined mpg: 30.4

Insurance group: 18

CO2 emissions: 244g/km

BiK rating: 35%

Warranty: 2yrs/ unlimited mileage

New Porsche 911 releases 620 horses

2010-05-16T19:05:00.000-07:00

The thing to keep in mind about Porsche is that the company basically makes road-legal race cars; hence the Porsche 911 GT2 RS. This new model, limited to a production run of 500, wrings 620 horsepower out of its 3.6-liter flat six-cylinder engine. Of course, that kind of power wouldn't be possible without twin turbos and clever tuning.

That horsepower finds its real world expression in 3.4 seconds to 60 mph, a top speed of 205 mph, and a lap of the Nürburgring Nordschleife in just 7 minutes and 18 seconds.

The 911 GT2 RS was developed with a very weight conscious attitude. Porsche engineers stripped 154 pounds from it, compared with the previous 911 GT2. As one example of weight-loss engineering, Porsche used cloth straps instead of traditional interior door handles.

Hennessey Porsche Panamera Turbo gains 50-hp

2010-05-01T19:47:00.000-07:00

Hennessey Porsche Panamera Turbo

We have a special place for Hennessey Performance Engineering in our hearts. While we eagerly look forward to the company’s Venom GT, we’ll have to satisfy our taste with this Hennessey modified Porsche Panamera Turbo, which gains a total of 50-hp or 23-hp at the wheels.

Click here to get prices on the 2010 Porsche Panamera.

Hennessey also offers a 800-hp upgrade. Modifications include a stainless steel exhaust systems, air induction modifications, computer upgrades, Hennessey wheel upgrades, turbo upgrades, intercooler upgrades and more.

Porsche nears magic number to greenlight 918 Spyder hybrid

2010-05-01T19:46:00.000-07:00

Porsche 918 Spyder Hybrid

Oh, so that's why Porsche calls it the 918.

Well, not really, but the number is pretty close to the quantity of potential customers that Porsche says have expressed a serious buying interest so far in the 918 Spyder hybrid wondercar that was shown a month at the Geneva auto show. The count to date is around 900, Bloomberg News reports.

First drive: Porsche Cayenne

2010-04-26T03:32:00.002-07:00

Porsche Cayenne

It may look like a big chunky off-roader, but most owners of the first generation Porsche Cayenne used it to tackle nothing more challenging than urban speed bumps. For the second generation, Porsche has caved in and dropped some of the off-road pretence, billing this as a purely sporty SUV.

This means the ungainly looks of the original have been toned down in favour of a sleeker, more pointed style. The result is undeniably Porsche, with 911 design traits obvious all over the big car.

The front has been sharpened up, and the snub nose has been dropped but the best changes come at the rear, with the previously utilitarian tail now sculpted in a more flowing manner. With this new look comes a new mentality – the Cayenne feels more at home on the track than plugging up and down muddy hills. There are a host of buttons on the centre console that will help with the rough stuff, but everything is now electronic so there is a slight feeling of detachment while tackling tricky terrain. This is unlikely to bother most of the Cayenne's owners, as most will never take it off road. Should they ever need to though, tricks like hill-descent control, ride-height adjustment and custom off road modes that change the gearing and throttle response means there is a fair amount of capability here.

Porsche Boxster Spyder road test

2010-04-26T03:32:00.001-07:00

Porsche first used the Spyder name for a sports roadster in 1953, when it introduced the 550 Spyder (the car that, famously, James Dean was driving when he died). For over half a century, the name has only been used for very special models such as the 909 Bergspyder, 718 RSK Spyder and the RS Spyder Le Mans Prototype race car, and now it has been given to a special edition of its “entry-level” mid-engined roadster, the Boxster. But is Porsche indulging in a marketing-inspired devaluation, or is the Boxster Spyder really special enough to justify using a name so steeped in heritage?

With a purchase price of £46,387, the Boxster Spyder isn’t cheap: in fact, it’s about £6,000 more than the Boxster S model it’s based on. On top of that, there’s a fairly extensive options list that can add back in some of the features that have been taken out (air con, radio, sat nav, etc), plus the likes of ceramic brakes (£5,349,) PDK automatic gearbox (£1,962) and sports seats (£2,049) that will quickly rack up the price of the car. Indeed, initial buyers are spending £56,000-57,000 speccing their cars. It won’t be exactly cheap to run,

Porsche 918 Spyder green revolution

2010-04-26T03:29:00.000-07:00

Porsche 918 Spyder
The green revolution seemed to slowly hit the automotive business. Sure, we had emissions standard a long time ago, but many states and local regions do not enforce them, even to this day. Automakers continued to make bigger and more obscene vehicles such as the Hummer, and sports cars that get single-digit gas mileage without even driving them hard.

Porsche 918 Spyder

Recently however, the automakers have been jumping on the green revolution, realizing that their high-end customers have both image-driven and genuine ecological concerns. You can't really support a charity to save silverback ape habitats and save CO2-digesting rainforests, and drive a Ford GT that gets just about the mileage of cruise ship. Eventually, the image backlash will catch up with you.

Even Ferrari has announced a hybrid version of their top line car, and other high-end luxury brands are rumored to be doing the same.

Last year at Sebring, we overheard Porsche factory people speaking in German about a hybrid racing car that could compete in the USA in 2010. We weren't entirely sure about that, as my German is a little bit spotty. Then they announced their GT3R Hybrid.
This car has been a tremendous success in its maiden race outings, proving to be even faster than the current GT3 racer, and stretching the fuel even further. Still, the technology in this car is not likely to translate to the road, which would make homologation unlikely for the car to compete for points and wins, and of course bragging rights.

Now comes the 918 Spyder. This is a road going sports car of astounding performance and even more astounding fuel economy. Some might wonder how this fits with the philosophy and image of a sports car company. Well, since Porsche's history has always been in endurance racing, this makes perfect sense. Stretching fuel further reduces time consuming pitstops and can provide an advantage. It also is the ultimate statement of efficiency, which is part of the essence of any sports or racing car, as efficiency produces speed. In this case fuel efficiency produces speed as well, over a course of time.

Beyond the aggressive styling that one might almost mistake for somewhat Italian-inspired, there is an unmistakable Porsche look to the car. with a low crouchy stance augmented by large rims and low profile rubber, the car looks as fast as it's numbers.
The interior is riddled with stylishly placed carbon fiber accents, and a classic Porsche inspired gauge set. A couple of key styling points really stand out. The mirror pylons are something we really cant seem to figure out. They are far too small to be mirrors, so we assume they are pylons for a camera system of some kind. Then there is the elevated console that hints of a chassis stiffening structure. It also happens to put the console controls in perfect ergonomic position, so it is difficult to tell which purpose it serves; perhaps both.

It certainly doesn't look like a Honda Insight (first or second generation) or a Prius. It doesn't look like anything one might think of a hybrid.

The technology of the 918 is different from the GT3R however, as it does have a battery unit. It is really more similar to the Toyota approach. The 918 uses the parallel power approach, with the car able to operate on either power source. There are about 500 horses coming from a v8 in the rear, and another 218 from electric power. So that puts a total of 718hp on tap to the right foot when you want it. There is a control that allows the driver to select various modes for more economy or more performance; each with different ratios of gas or electric power.

Porsche's stated CO2 emissions for the car are 70 grams of CO2 per Kilometer. That exceeds the Toyota Prius, which is rated as the cleanest car on the road today (except for electric vehicles) by over 20%.

As a person who does drive a Honda Insight, I get comments and reactions and questions about the car every single day. Though this is interesting, it seems to me that greener cars, hybrid, electric or alternative fuels, need to be more like what people are already willing to buy. After all, if a car gives them everything they expect in a car, and just happens to be emissions-free or get great fuel mileage, then their is really no decision to make.

Getting back to the Porsche 918 Spyder, which is currently only a concept car, we hear that this car could quickly transition to production based on response. With the response it has already generated, we would say that is a forgone conclusion.

Porsche’s 918 Spyder Hybrid Model Draws 900 Potential Buyers

2010-04-26T03:27:00.000-07:00

Porsche 918 Spyder Hybrid
Porsche AG said it has almost 900 potential buyers for its 918 Spyder hybrid prototype as the manufacturer moves toward approving production of the vehicle.

Porsche 918 Spyder Hybrid

Porsche, which unveiled the 918 Spyder at the Geneva auto show last month, will probably decide to build the model once 1,000 potential customers have pledged interest, Porsche’s development chief, Wolfgang Duerheimer, said in an interview at the Beijing Auto Show.

“I’m confident that we will soon reach the threshold of 1,000,” he said in an April 24 interview. “We need 1,000 seriously interested people to make a sound business case.”

Porsche, based in Stuttgart, Germany, plans to add models with a goal of doubling yearly sales to as many as 150,000 vehicles over the medium term, and benefit from savings from a merger with Volkswagen AG. The two carmakers will conclude their talks on a future model strategy and sharing platforms in about six months, Duerheimer said.

“We’re very optimistic that we’ll be able to further expand our leading position in the sports-car segment,” he said.

The 918 Spyder, one of three hybrid models Porsche presented in Geneva, relies on a 500-horsepower V8 engine and electric drive-systems allowing the vehicle to go up to 25 kilometers on electric power. The two-seater limits gasoline consumption to three liters per 100 kilometers, emitting 70 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometer.

Pre-Orders For 2011 Porsche Cayenne Exceed Expectations

2010-04-19T04:08:00.000-07:00

The new 2011 Porsche Cayenne is lighter, sleeker and more attractively designed. The car is scheduled to arrive in the European showroom on May 8th. The already placed pre-orders for the new Cayenne have exceeded expectations, says Chief Executive Officer, Michael Macht.

“We’re looking at an incredibly high order intake from almost all markets,” Macht said yesterday at the Porche’s factory in Leipzig. He also added that the new 2011 Porsche Cayenne’s pre-orders are “clearly exceeding our expectations.” The vehicle in up for order in Europe and the report says that orders are coming in from every part of the continent.

The news also marks the return of the automobile industry into business. Porsche is currently pursuing its goal of doubling yearly sales to as many as 150,000 vehicles over the medium term. It is also looking forward to benefit as much as it can from a proposed merger with Volkswagen AG.

2010 Porsche Carrera S

2010-04-19T04:07:00.000-07:00

2010 Porsche Carrera S
The 911 S is a mechanical dream, watch-like precision in a car. There's a reason German engineering comes with such a glorified reputation and the 911 S proves this at every turn.

When I sat inside the cabin for the first time, I was in awe -- it didn't even matter that I was driving the 2009 model of the 911 S when the 2010 version with a few updates was starting to roll into dealerships. (There have been some additions to the 2010 model year, but most are minor and the 2009 is a good representation.)

So as I took the keys and started it up, I listened to the 3.8 liter purr like a Katzen after a bowl of Milch. Unlike big American V-8s that rumble and chug and delight the senses with their nearly grotesque power, the Porsche offers a higher pitched growl that doesn't do its abilities justice. The difference is like an accent -- it's not better or worse, but when it's foreign there's an inexplicable appeal to it.

Pumping out 385 horsepower and 310 pound-feet or torque, both respectable but not through-the-roof numbers, the Porsche's engine is only part of the package. This car is a study in efficiency and performance. It weighs a mere 3,100 pounds and uses all of its muscle to toss this car around as if it were in a video game. The only thing it might feel challenged by is the driver.

2011 Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid

2010-03-27T11:39:00.000-07:00

Porsche will introduce the next-generation Cayenne sport utility vehicle, including a hybrid gas-electric version, to the North American market on March 31 during a press conference at the New York International Automobile Show.

Led by a highly advanced hybrid model, the new Porsche Cayenne sport-utility vehicle delivers improved performance while using less fuel and producing fewer emissions throughout the entire model lineup.

The North American Cayenne model range will include four models: the 2011 Cayenne, Cayenne S, Cayenne Turbo and the Cayenne S Hybrid. The S and Turbo models go on sale in July, with the Cayenne and Cayenne S Hybrid in dealer showrooms this fall.

All the new Cayenne models embody the Porsche Intelligent Performance philosophy, the evolution of vehicles sportier than their predecessors, yet more fuel and emissions efficient.

Porsche Panamera Power Pack - Photo, Detail, Specs

2010-03-15T10:21:00.000-07:00

Porsche Panamera
Cargraphic has already produced an increase in power to 550 hp for the turbo version of the four-door Porsche

With its 4.8-litre V8 engine, the new Porsche Panamera offers enormous potential for power. However, even the turbo version reaches its limits at 368 kW/500 hp. But the Porsche specialists of Cargraphic in Germany are now showing what they're made of by achieving a ten per cent power upgrade.

With 404 kW/550 hp and a torque plus of 75 Nm, the acceleration is now just below the four-second mark. Even the speedometer needle gets a slight boost at top speed right around the 300 km/h mark. Thanks to the standard all-wheel drive and the efficient 7-speed PDK transmission, the extra power can be found exactly where it belongs: on the road.

Along with a DME control unit, the Cargraphic power kit includes a pair of sport air filters to allow the oxygen-hungry turbo to "breathe" even better. The price for the effective "speed package" developed in Landau is 1,495 euros (plus VAT). To make the special status of the Cargraphic Panamera even more prominent, the traditional company with a 25-year history can also happily provide various sets of
attractive alloy wheels. There is something to suit all tastes and standards, ranging from the sporty 19" IS-ONE flow-forming wheel to the extravagant three-piece 22" GT, GT-R and I-10 forged wheels. This lets the customer really show their true colours - especially as they are free to choose the paintwork of their aluminium rims.

Porsche 918 Spyder super hybrid (photos)

2010-03-12T09:25:00.002-08:00

Porsche 918 Spyder super hybrid (photos)

Porsche demonstrated its commitment to hybrid technology with the 918 Spyder concept, a car that boasts outlandish specifications. The two-seater uses a plug-in hybrid system comprised of two electric motors coupled to a 3.4-liter V-8 racing engine. As a parallel hybrid, the car can run on pure electricity, just gas, or a combination of the two.

RGT-8 Porsche 977 V8

2010-03-12T09:25:00.001-08:00

RUF is one of the most important Porsche tuners, the cars being prepared for a high exclusivity. The new creation is a Porsche 997 with V8 engine.

RUF is more than just a tuner. The cars prepared by RUF depart than series models. By the example of their latest curly model: RGT-8 Porsche 997 V8. It was a Porsche 977 and has a V8 engine mounted, specially created for it. Sprcs: a 4.5-liters engine which develops 550 HP at 8,500 RPM and 369 lb-ft of torque at 5,400 RPM.

With 441 pounds less and a six-speed manual gearbox, the power plant manages to convey all the power to the rear wheels, equipped with Michelin Sport Cup tires and 19 inches wheels. The ceramic disc brake system provides safe conduct on the track, performance is assured by a light weight: doors and hood are made of aluminum and carbon fiber rear fender.

Porsche plans Panamera cabrio

2010-03-12T09:24:00.000-08:00

Porsche is still planning to build a four-door convertible version of the Panamera, a series of patent applications obtained by Autocar has revealed.

Recent comments from Porsche insiders indicated the car had been cancelled, but renewals and fresh patent applications in the United States indicate otherwise.

The new car has a practical four-door body that, without a traditional B-pillar, has required substantial stiffening to the Panamera’s floorpan and bulkheads to ensure sufficient structural rigidity and integrity.

Porsche began work on the 918 Spyder last Augus

2010-03-12T09:21:00.000-08:00

Porsche 918 Spyder plug-in hybrid concept is the fact that Porsche managed to keep the car under wraps until its world debut last week at the Geneva Auto Show.

“Frankly, we were pleased that we were able to keep it quiet, and a lot went into that,” said Dave Engelman, a Porsche spokesman.

Mr. Engelman said that his boss, Bernd Harling, publicity chief for Porsche in the United States, had to sign a nondisclosure waiver before seeing the 918.

The hybrid’s privacy was also protected by its very short development time. The concept car had only been gestating since last August. According to Porsche, Wolfgang Dürheimer, vice president of research and development, and Michael Macht, president of Porsche AG and chief executive of the executive board of management, were “discussing what could be done in the wake of the very recent VW/Porsche merger to help Porsche remain Porsche. The 918 Spyder is what they came up with.”

Porsche Spyder: 718 horsepower, 78 mpg, and a plug-in hybrid?!

2010-03-12T09:20:00.000-08:00

Porsche Spyder
I’ll be honest here, I’m not really a “car person” per se (though I have a great appreciation for Top Gear) but when I see something this sexy and eco-friendly, it definitely grabs my attention.

During the Geneva Auto Show last week, Porsche debuted this green beauty: The Spyder 918 – a plug-in hybrid sports car with more than 700 horsepower, gets 78 mpg, runs 15.5 miles on a lithium-ion battery pack before a powerful 500-horsepower V-8 kicks in, and emits only 70 grams of carbon dioxide emissions per mile – and built in only 7 months. The best part? There’s a very good chance you’ll be seeing it on the market soon(ish).

Porsche went for a green theme for the first annual Geneva Auto Show, focusing on more power for less fuel and efficiency. (See the video below.) It seems that Europe is taking the initiative to greatly reduce their carbon emissions in the very near future and they’re putting a lot of focus on reducing vehicle emissions as part of this effort.

Jim Motavalli, a New York Times writer who blogs for MNN on green transportation says, “Euro carmakers are focusing on CO2 in a way that hasn’t kicked in stateside yet, and they’re requiring that average CO2 emissions from new cars be below 120 grams per kilometer by 2012. CO2 production is a factor in fuel economy, and President Obama’s tightening fuel economy/greenhouse gas standards that kick in for the 2012 model year express the mandate as 35.5 mpg by 2016.”

Read more of Jim’s article on this gorgeous car (seeing as he does it better justice) and let’s cross our fingers and hope to see this stateside very soon.

Customized package for Porsche Panamera

2010-02-24T07:33:00.000-08:00

The tuner Techart is offering an aerodynamic and luxury kit for the Porsche Panamera, giving it a more dynamic appearance with a three-part front spoiler, 22-inch light alloys and exclusive leathers for the interior. The front spoiler reduces forces on the front axle and ensures optimal flow of cooling air to the braking system. The side skirts emphasize the strong sidelines. A roof spoiler, the new rear wing, as well as a rear apron module with integrated diffuser enable precise aerodynamic adjustments to the rear axle, according to the German tuner. An LED lighting system combines day driving lighting, side lighting, parking lighting and indicator lights in one unit, which blends in with the design of the front of the vehicle. The lights automatically adjust to the daylight setting selected. The day driving light is also dimmed when the vehicle is turning to ensure that the indicator lights stand out.

V6 engine for Porsche Panamera

2010-02-24T07:31:00.000-08:00

The controversial looks remain but from June there will be a new engine for the four-seater Porsche Panamera.

On sale in the UK from June, V6 versions will complement V8 models launched last year, taking the starting price down from £72,266 for the V8 S to £61,461 for the Panamera and to £66,929 for the Panamera 4.

James Hunt's Porsche for sale

2010-01-08T10:31:00.000-08:00

This 911 RS was Hunt's company car and is in original condition

A rare 1974 Porsche 911 Carrera RS driven by F1 world champion James Hunt is for sale.

With a price of £365,000, it is one of only six right-hand-drive examples ever made.

The yellow Porsche was sold new to the founder of Hesketh Racing, Lord Hesketh, and became part of Hunt's remuneration package when he drove for the team in 1974.

Hunt retained use of the car through to 1976, the year he took the F1 World Championship at the wheel of a McLaren.

Claimed to be "outstanding" and in "highly original" condition, the 3.0-litre Porsche, chassis number 99, was built as part of the car firm's homologation process for its racing programme.

"This car is an important piece of motoring history," said Nick Whale, of Warwickshire-based Nick Whale Sports Cars Direct, which is selling the Porsche.

"Hunt was an enigmatic champion and this car was with him during the peak of his career. Not only is this one of the rarest road-going Porsches of all time, but with its unique provenance it represents a very rare opportunity."

Whale says that the car, which has formed part of a private collection for the past decade, is completely original.

Hunt – known as Hunt the Shunt following a number of spectacular on-track crashes – became as well known for his colourful champagne lifestyle as for his driving. Widely described as a playboy and forever appearing with a string of beautiful women, he retired from racing in 1979.

Hunt later became a much-loved BBC TV race commentator, alongside the inimitable Murray Walker. He was also known for breeding budgerigars and parrots and was a familiar sight in London, sometimes behind the wheel of his Austin A35 van, or on an old-fashioned bicycle complete with wicker basket attached to the handlebars.

2010 Porsche 911 GT3 R Pictures

2010-01-01T06:04:00.000-08:00

2010 Porsche 911 GT3 R Front View

2010 Porsche 911 GT3 R Sport Car

2010 Porsche 911 GT3 R Taillight Rear Wing View

2010 Porsche 911 Sport Classic First Drive

2009-12-19T06:50:00.000-08:00

2010 Porsche 911Sport Classic Picture

The essence of what the Porsche 911 is about.

First Drive: 2010 Porsche Panamera

2009-12-19T06:49:00.000-08:00

Until Porsche went ahead with the Panamera, the idea of a five-door sportscar from the German carmaker seemed a pipe dream. Now the dream is reality.

We first encountered the huge new Panamera in 493bhp Turbo form and were suitably impressed. Now it's time to catch up with the normally aspirated 394bhp 4S model.

You could regard this as the 'sensible' Panamera, but it's still no slouch and could well appeal to the business types who want four seats and some semblance of practicality to go with the breathtaking performance.

This version uses a double clutch 'box to do the gearchanging for you, with the advantage that the 'PDK' automated manual uses less power than a traditional slushbox while offering stop/start in heavy traffic.

The 4S also has four-wheel-drive but how does the £80,000 Panamera go up against the glamorous Maserati Quattroporte, or its traditional rivals from BMW and Mercedes?

Porsche Panamera

2009-12-19T06:48:00.001-08:00

Understandably, many Porsche fans weren’t too keen on the idea of a four-door. And now that the Panamera is an inescapable reality, you either love it or hate. Luckily for Porsche, some of the voices that matter most are loving it. The latest voice is Bloomberg, which named the Panamera its first-ever Car of the Year.

Bloomberg columnist Jason H. Harper, who handled the testing for the awards, was gushing like a school girl about the Panamera: “The Porsche Panamera has broken the sports-sedan category wide open, producing a truly desirable auto that combines the best elements of a sports car and comfortable four-door.”

He was also quoted as saying: “Like a lot of people I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect of the Panamera, but sometime between having a six-foot eight-inch buddy in the back seat and hauling into deep corners around the track, it became clear. It’s still a Porsche — just a really versatile one.”

2010 Porsche Panamera Sales Kick Into High Gear

2009-12-19T06:46:00.000-08:00

2010 Porsche Panamera Picture

The 10,000th 2010 Porsche Panamera has been sold already, after only three months on sale in Europe and two months in the U.S.

2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder First Drive

2009-12-17T06:23:00.000-08:00

2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder Picture

2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder

At a glance, the 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder is simply a special model that sheds 176 pounds of non-essentials in the name of purist performance. Nothing new in this plan, since Porsche has been building lightweight models for decades. It's an easy recipe — cut weight and sell the car at a premium to Porschephiles who can't resist the idea that less is really more.

Among the non-essentials stripped from this Boxster are the air-conditioning and radio — items which, let's face it, most owners will option back into the car. Check the boxes for these bits and the overall weight saving for the Spyder is diminished to about 134 pounds. Optioned accordingly, we're talking about a roadster that still weighs 2,852 pounds — a weight reduction that's useful, but one worth celebrating? We weren't so sure. Then we drove it.

And everything changed.

This 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder is at once sharp and supple, responsive yet calm, smooth yet immensely powerful. It is, most certainly, a product of much, much more than simple weight reduction. And it's worthy of more than just a glance.

Hammer It
Our research (all this being in the cause of science, of course) began on Carmel Valley Road, one of the most demanding driving roads in the country and our favorite destination when we travel to Monterey, California. County Road G16, as it's known to locals, provides a host of chassis-torturing features: high-speed off-camber corners, cattle guards, frost heaves, patched sections, falling rocks and the occasional wet spot.

Porsche, however, was utterly unfazed by the challenge G16 represents. So we did what we had to do and caned the Spyder through the worst G16 has to offer. And yet we found little to criticize, whether chassis stiffness, damping control or ride quality. Sure, this Boxster roadster isn't as composed as a closed car, but we rarely found the bumpstops and were continually impressed with the Spyder's ability to put power down confidently and remain superbly composed.

And driving to this car's limits means going very, very quickly. There's a comfortable rhythm to be found at 9/10ths that leaves ample room for the unknown, yet yields a speed unmatched by any roadster we've ever driven.

Digging Deeper
After pulverizing Carmel Valley Road, we sat down with Maurice van de Weerd, the Boxster's senior chassis engineer, to talk shop about this most special Porsche.

Compared to a conventional Boxster, the biggest change to the Spyder's suspension is a 0.8-inch reduction in ride height. In combination with the deletion of the regular Boxster's electrically operated convertible top, the overall result is a 1-inch reduction in the Boxster's already low center of gravity. At the same time, the lower ride height requires the spring rates to be increased by 10 percent up front and 30 percent in the rear to keep the car from bottoming. The real secret, according to van de Weerd, is almost neurotic attention to the polyurethane "spring aid," a bump rubber that's used to fine-tune the overall spring rate in the last 2 inches of suspension travel.

2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder

2009-12-17T06:22:00.000-08:00

The Spyder is a lighter, stronger, more aggressive take on the familiar midengine formula. Its back end is bulked up, with the engine cover channeling the signature headrest fairings that distinguish the Porsche Carrera GT supercar. The Spyder’s links to the vintage Porsche Speedster are emphasized by its rudimentary canvas-and-carbon-frame top.This is the lightest model in the Porsche lineup — at 2,811 pounds, it’s 176 pounds lighter than the Boxster S. Its essentials-only design ethic left cup holders, radio, air-conditioning and even inside door handles out of the standard-equipment mix; red nylon webbing loops allow one to exit with the low side windows rolled up.

The Spyder’s 10 additional horsepower, over the Boxster S, should make the it the quickest-ever Boxster, especially when equipped with the optional PDK dual-clutch automanual and computer-automated Launch Control. The 3.4-liter flat 6 cranks out 320 horsepower, and the top speed is said to be an autobahn-ready 166 m.p.h. — with the top down. The center of mass has been pushed down, the suspension has been lowered and stiffened and the top has been scaled back to ultralight thonglike specifications.

How much, how soon? The base price in the United States will be $61,200 with availability starting in February.

How’s it look? To my eyes, the Boxster line has always come off as too dainty. The Spyder assuages some of those criticisms with its low stance and more muscular bodywork behind the cockpit. But the familiar Boxster front end looks a little odd paired up with the more aggressive rear section.

Porsche Boxster Spyder.

2010 Porsche Panamera Sales Kick Into High Gear

2009-12-17T06:21:00.000-08:00

2010 Porsche Panamera Picture

The 10,000th 2010 Porsche Panamera has been sold already, after only three months on sale in Europe and two months in the U.S.
Anyone who was betting that sales of the 2010 Porsche Panamera would be hampered by the recession and a downturn in the luxury-goods market got a wake-up call from the German automaker on Monday. Porsche reported that it has built the 10,000th Panamera and that top-of-the-line versions of the sedan are selling at a brisk pace.

Porsche said the $93,800 Panamera 4S is "proving particularly popular," accounting for 44 percent of sales. The Panamera Turbo, with a price tag of $132,600, accounts for 36 percent of sales, while the $89,800 Panamera S accounts for 20 percent of sales.

In a statement, Porsche said that "sales of the Panamera have really taken off."

The milestone 10,000 Panamera is a 500-horsepower platinum silver metallic Turbo. It is bound for a customer in Singapore.

FAB Design Porsche Panamera

2009-12-17T06:20:00.000-08:00

The Porsche Panamera – a car not exactly lacking in presence or the ability to split opinion. But if you were somehow under the impression it sat subtly under the radar, then worry no longer. FAB Design feels the same.

‘FAB Design has refined the new Porsche Panamera and turned the conservative, standard product into a dream car’, the company says. If this is a car of somebody’s dreams, they’ve definitely had too much cheese before bed.

The wheelarches are much beefier (helpful when housing 22in rims), the front grille a lot more gaping and the rear of the car nigh-on unrecognisable. There’s a stonking rear diffuser, which lies beneath a trio of exhausts with trapezoidal tips. A smattering of gloss black trim leads to back-end styling that’s oddly reminiscent of a basking shark. A sculptured rear wing doesn’t do anything to lessen its impact, but then that’s no doubt FAB’s idea…

Of more appeal are the dynamic and mechanical tweaks. The Panamera Turbo’s standard 4.8-litre engine is cranked up to 690bhp while some underbody tweaks drop the centre of gravity by 20mm. All the questionable bodywork mods are crafted from carbonfibre, too, so at least they shed some weight as well as style.

New Porsche 911 GT3 R is too sexy to ignore

2009-11-27T03:52:00.002-08:00

At £279,000 this ain't cheap, but it's too sexy to ignore. The motor in question is the Porsche 911 GT3 R. It's a race-only version of the new GT3 and weighs only 1,200kg.

The engine is a 4.0-litre version of the usual 3.8-litre 911 flat-six and has 480bhp and that's without a turbocharger.

There's a sequential manual gearbox and that massive rear wing. So if you're an ambitious amateur racing driver with deep pockets this is the motor for you.

Porsche develops lightweight battery for 911 GT3, 911 GT3 RS and Boxster Spyder with first lithium-ion automotive starter battery

2009-11-27T03:52:00.001-08:00

Porsche released news that it is the first car maker in the world to offer a starter battery with lithium-ion technology. Weighing less than 13 lb or 6 kg, the new battery is more than 22 lb or 10 kg lighter than a conventional 60 Ah lead battery.

The new lithium-ion battery will be available as a $1,700 option as of January 2010 for the 911 GT3, 911 GT3 RS, and Boxster Spyder and is delivered with the car.

The new battery was developed specifically for lower weight. It is the same length and width as the old battery but is 2.8 or 70 millimeters lower, Porsche notes. The fastening points are completely compatible with the old battery.

Additional enhancements include a faster charge due to reduced internal resistance, a greater number of charging and re-charging cycles and a lower self-discharging effect and a longer service life.

In a press release, Porsche notes its lithium-ion battery comprised wound film of carbon and iron phosphate with a ceramic film moisturized by the electrolyte that serves as a separating layer. This compares to other lithium-ion batteries that use a combination of manganese oxide, cobalt oxide or nickel, this lithium-iron-phosphate battery, as it is called, offers advantages when used as a starter battery.

It is robust and consistently guarantees the usual voltage of 12 V for the car’s on-board network. The lightweight battery is made up of four cells and integrated electronic controls.

This battery management system protects the battery from major discharges and guarantees a consistent charge level within the individual cells. Once battery voltage drops below a certain threshold, a warning signal reminds the driver to re-charge the battery either simply by driving the car or by means of a conventional battery charger.

The new lithium-ion battery will also be available for retrofitting from February 2010 on the three models mentioned from Porsche Tequipment.

2010 Porsche Panamera

2009-11-27T03:50:00.000-08:00

Autoblog has just-released official images of Porsche’s highly anticipated Panamera, the marque’s first four-door car (not counting the Cayenne SUV).
Described as a four-door grand touring (GT) sports car rather than a coupe or sedan, Porsche’s Panamera will feature Porsche’s newly developed PDK dual clutch transmission which makes shifting much more comfortable.

Production is slated to start next spring for a summer on-sale date, and the car is expected to be priced at around $175,000.

Power for the Panamera will come from a range of V6 and V8 engines that will likely mirror the Cayenne lineup. The engines will run from a paltry 300 horsepower up to the 500-hp unit from the Cayenne Turbo.

The Panamera will be available in several models with the Panamera Turbo at the top, the exact specifications have yet to be announced. At some point, probably sometime later in 2010-11, a hybrid variant will also debut.

2010 Porsche Panamera

2009-11-27T03:49:00.000-08:00

Porsche gave the 2010 Porsche Panamera several key design cues from the 911, including lower air intakes and no grille up front, the hood set lower than the front fenders, and the signature "shoulders" above the rear wheels.

When Porsche developed the new Panamera, its first-ever sedan, the "No Substitute" carmaker wasn't willing to compromise.

The vehicle had to have four doors, a coupelike roofline, plenty of rear-seat room, lots of cargo capacity and the handling of, well, a Porsche. Those requirements led the company to choose a unique hatchback body style.

While the resulting machine may look a bit odd, the Panamera excels in every way intended and, in our humble opinion, enters the market as one of the world's best luxury performance grand tourers.

Model Lineup
The 2010 Panamera is offered in S, 4S and Turbo versions, and starting MSRP is $89,800, $93,800 and $132,600, respectively. The S comes with rear-wheel drive, and the 4S and Turbo with all-wheel drive and an electronic brake differential. The best-equipped Porsche ever, the Panamera S and 4S come standard with such features as leather upholstery, front and rear bucket seats, heated front seats, a power rear liftgate, a navigation system, a sunroof, bi-xenon headlights and 18-inch alloy wheels with summer performance tires. The high-luxe Turbo gets adaptive headlights, a full leather interior and 19-inch wheels.

Compare: Porsche Panamera vs. Audi S8 vs. BMW 7-Series

Standard safety equipment on all Panameras includes dual front airbags, front knee airbags, front and rear side airbags, side-curtain airbags with rollover deployment, a tire-pressure monitor, rear park assist, anti-lock brakes, traction control and electronic stability control.

Options are numerous, including front park assist and rearview camera, and they can add $60,000 to the price of the car if you choose everything. Just about every amenity is offered, and Porsche also lets buyers trim numerous interior bits in leather, Alcantara, wood or aluminum.

Porsche challenges sports-car form Sporty Panamera sedan

2009-11-27T03:45:00.000-08:00

2010 Porsche Panamera

Consider this a friendly admonition to Porsche purists. The story you are about to read is a review of the 2010 Panamera, Porsche's first foray into the Gran Turismo luxury four-door sedan market. OK, that was your warning.

When professor Ferdinand Porsche founded his namesake company in 1930, it wasn't until 1948 when the first true Porsche -- the aluminum-skinned, hand-built Porsche 356 -- was created in the family's saw mill-converted workshop in Gmünd, Austria. With history steeped in Formula 1 racing-inspired designs and other very clever engineering endeavors, demand for the unique sports car meant more than 78,000 "Type 356" cars were eventually built during the next 17 years.

Professor Porsche died in 1952, but his legacy lives on in every vehicle Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG builds (the company name is often shortened to Porsche AG). And, for Porsche traditionalists, that's the rub. It all started in 2002, when Porsche AG introduced a midsize luxury SUV, named Cayenne, to its sports car-only lineup. Hoping to generate new interest for the marque, the Cayenne quickly revived the German manufacturer's reputation for building powerful, nimble, racing-based automobiles ... even if it was a sport utility.

In all reality, the Porsche Panamera is what every Porsche has always been and that is a pure sports car, built from the ground up to accelerate, steer, handle and stop differently than any other production vehicle. The only difference is it has four doors and it's a sedan. But, the characteristic Porsche silhouette is there, from the front headlamps to the rear spoiler.

According to Gaudin Jaguar Porsche Aston Martin General Manager Glenn Anderson, feedback from customers who attended an open house at the dealership and subsequent arrive-and-drive at Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch in Pahrump this past week has been overwhelmingly positive. "Pictures just don't do it justice," Anderson said. "I think the big question for everyone was what the car was going to look like with four doors. People have seen it now and they like it."

What's not to like? For potential Panamera buyers, however, it's all in the numbers. So, how's this for a luxury sedan? According to the German magazine Sportauto, Porsche test driver Walter Rohrl set a new sedan track record earlier this year at the famous Nurburgring (Nurburgring is a motorsport race track around the village of Nürburg, Germany). Driving the Panamera Turbo, he lowered the previous time (held by the Cadillac CTS-V) by 3 seconds.

And, to prove this feat was no fluke, Gaudin invited about 80 guests to the dedicated road racing facility in Pahrump to put the Panamera to the test. "We wanted to show our customers the Panamera is not only an everyday driver, but also comfortable enough to put on the track," Anderson said. "After riding and driving it, opinions were definitely changed."

Answering the question, "OK, but does it drive like a Porsche?" starts with outlining the Panamera's three models: the Panamera S, 4S and Turbo. Each features a 32-valve DOHC 4.8-liter V-8 engine, either naturally aspirated or twin turbocharged, capable of producing 400 to 500 horsepower, depending on the package selected. The engine also features Porsche's VarioCam Plus and Direct Fuel Injection for efficient combustion, which helps in the fuel economy column. Another new feature is the Auto Start Stop function, which gives the driver the option of turning the car off while at a stoplight. With the brake pedal engaged, the system can automatically turn off the engine. The engine will restart as soon as the brake pedal is released.

Focusing on performance, Porsche engineers utilized cast aluminum pistons in the Panamera S and forged pistons in the Panamera Turbo, aluminum one-piece cylinder heads and an aluminum crankcase of closed-deck construction. A dry sump oiling system ensures longevity and that everything in the engine is well lubricated in all driving situations.

Porsche's performance figures revealed the rear-wheel drive Panamera S accelerated from zero-60 mph in 5.2 seconds and had a top track speed of 175 mph. According to data collected by test drivers for www.insideline.com, however, the all-wheel drive Panamera 4S clocked in at 4.6 seconds.

"It's a ripper," said Gaudin sales manager Paul Jarrett, referring to the turbo, all-wheel drive Panamera he was eyeing for our test drive. Sporting Porsche's "Yachting Blue Metallic" body paint, racing inspired 15.5-inch rotors with six-piston calipers (ceramic brakes are optional) inside 20-inch sports car wheels, heated and cooled front and rear seats, upgraded Burmester High-End Surround Sound System and the standard Porsche Communication Management system that features a high-resolution 7-inch touch-screen navigation module, Jarrett eased the Porsche off the showroom floor into the daylight. It looked even better.

Inside, the Porsche Panamera is very comfortable and there's a lot to investigate, even from the passenger seat. The ascending center console is a command center where various suspension and exhaust modes can be selected, as well as access to whatever personal communication devices are needed. A wheelbase dimension of 114.9 inches ensures plenty of width and 195.6 inches in length isn't unreasonable considering you're driving a four-door. The Panamera Turbo weighs the most at a still-respectable 4,343 pounds which is achieved by using aluminum for the axles, hood, fenders, doors and rear lid. The cylinder heads are made of magnesium, which also reduces weight. Form does follow function in the Panamera. How else could Porsche have produced a four-seater?

Jarrett started in the driver's seat, reviewing the Panamera's impressive instrument panel and other interior features, which included tan and black leather finishes everywhere. Once out on the road, he shifted into the Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) transmission's manual mode, but we never came close to using all seven gears. PDK is essentially two gearboxes in one and requires two clutches, which ensures ultrasmooth gear changes, Jarrett explained. But, you had to feel it for yourself. So, that's what we did.

Your first decision is whether to use the two ergonomic buttons for changing gears or the PDK gear selector in the manual shift gate mode. Decisions, decisions. Going with the buttons on the three-spoke multifunction steering wheel seemed most comfortable and familiar, even though our manual shift upbringing used to require a clutch pedal. But, that's in the past and this is the present.

This is a sporty driver with enough agility and performance to satisfy even the most dedicated Porsche enthusiast. The overall ride is governed by Porsche Active Suspension Management for electronic adjustment of the suspension system. The Turbo also features adaptive air suspension as standard, which can change the ride to the sport mode with the push of a button. There's also a stabilizing system that reduces lateral body movement called Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control. That we certainly felt, especially in cornering.

Porsche Boxster Spyder

2009-11-17T06:03:00.000-08:00

Porsche is introducing a new top version of the Porsche Boxster, a light mid-engined roadster making its world debut at the Los Angeles Motor Show in December. Weighing just 1,275 kg or 2,811 lb, the 2010 Porsche Boxster Spyder is the lightest model throughout the entire range of Porsche cars.

The Boxster Spyder features a 3.4-litre six-cylinder with Direct Fuel Injection upfront of the rear axle. Maximum output is 320 bhp, 10 bhp more than in the Boxster S. Equipped with the Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) twin-clutch transmission and the Sports Chrono Package, the new Spyder, using Launch Control, accelerates from a standstill to 62mph in 4.8 seconds The Porsche Boxster Spyder top speed, in turn, is 267 km/h or 166 mph – with the roof open.

Porsche Panamera

2009-11-17T06:02:00.000-08:00

Conceived and designed as a four-door grand touring sports car, the Panamera combines numerous talents in typical Porsche style: sporting driving dynamics, a generous and versatile interior, and the supreme driving comfort of a Gran Turismo. Joining the 911, Boxster and Cayman sports cars and the four-wheel drive Cayenne, the Panamera is officially the fourth Porsche model series

2010 Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid

2009-11-08T06:34:00.000-08:00

Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid will debut next year. Using a parallel full hybrid design with the electric motor between the combustion engine and the transmission, Porsche engineers have been able to drive at speeds up to 86 mph without at all using the combustion engine. The Cayenne S Hybrid uses a supercharged Audi 3.0-liter V6 engine with Direct Fuel Injection (DFI), 333 horsepower and 324 lb-ft of torque from 2,900 to 5,300 rpm.

When it comes to market in 2010, the Cayenne S Hybrid is expected to emit some 20 percent less C02 than comparable combustion engine vehicles with similar power output. Covering a 0-to-100 km/h sprint in just 6.8 seconds, it earns its ‘S’ designation by delivering V8 performance and four-cylinder efficiency, all while complying with the Ultra Low Emission Vehicle II (ULEVII) emission standards.

2010 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup

2009-11-04T10:39:00.001-08:00

Porsche has unveiled the new 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup which is based on the newly unveiled 911 GT3 RS version. The 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup is powered by a new engine with a 0.2 liter capacity increase that develops 30 bhp more than the former version. The 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup hides under its hood a 3.8-litre six-cylinder horizontally-opposed engine that develops 450 bhp (331 kW) and is coupled with sequential 6-speed manual gearbox. The new 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup weighs 1,200 kg (2,646 lb).

Also like the 911 GT3 RS, the 2010 GT3 Cup features a 1.73-inch wider body, wider front wheel arches, three-piece light-alloy wheels and front body panels from its street-legal sibling.

2010 Porsche 911 Sport Classic

2009-11-04T10:38:00.000-08:00

Along with the new 911 Turbo, GT3 RS and Cup Race Car, Porsche is bringing a limited-to-250-units production car to Frankfurt Motor Show this month.

Customized by Porsche’s Specialist Department over the last 3 years, the 911 Sport Classic pays a tribute to the 1973 Carrera RS 2.7 with unique “ducktail” style spoiler.

Power from 3.8L 6-cylinder with Direct Fuel Injection has been increased by 23-hp for a total of 408-hp. It is mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox and also features Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes, PASM sports suspension that lowers the entire car by 20 mm or 0.79? and custom-made 19-inch wheels. The interior comes with a wide-range of upgrades and is finished in Espresso Nature natural leather, providing a great contrast to the exterior Sport Classic Grey.

Porsche Carrera GT

2009-10-25T00:52:00.001-07:00

Porsche Carrera GT

Porsche Carrera GT

2009-10-25T00:50:00.000-07:00

This Porsche's sports car is an open two-seater that comes with an easy to use roof made of lightweight carbon.
Originally Carrera GT was built for the street, however it is obvious that it is a racing car. It produced such monstrous amounts of horse power from its V10 engine that labeling it a simple street car is totally inappropriate. It easily qualifies to be named a super car. Carrera GT extends the possibilities of road driving and racing to the whole new level. It features an engine that easily tops the charts of the most powerful and fastest road cars.
With its imposing rear wing, this super sports car is easily spottable from any angle as a powerful and fast presence on the road.
Carrera engine has an incredibly low (even for a supercar) gravity center, a sixty-eight degree V angle and 4 valves for each head of cylinder. It's engine weights astonishingly only 214 kg.
911 model has been Porsche's top selling car for over three decades, however when the new Carrera GT with its specific style and substance came out, it quickly took the crown of top selling Porsche sports car. As of May 2006, 1,270 Carrera GT's had been sold.

Porsche Tapiro

2009-10-25T00:49:00.000-07:00

Porsche Tapiro

The Porsche Tapiro was designed in 1970 by Giorgetto Giugiaro of Ital Design. It was Giugiaro's 4th prototype at Ital and one of his favourite at the time. It was based on the Porsche 914/6 platform and featured a mid mounted 2.4 litre flat 6 cylinder Porsche engine, giving 220 bhp and 7200 rpm. There car had gullwing doors and the profile of the windscreen was almost the same angle as the bonnet. It's dimensions were 4060 mm long, 1760 mm wide and 1110 mm high.

Porsche Tapiro Sketch

Porsche Tapiro exhibited in 1970

Tapiro exhibited in the early 1970s

2010 Porsche 911 GT3 RS

2009-10-23T07:05:00.002-07:00

2010 Porsche 911 GT3 RS Front View

2010 Porsche 911 GT3 RS Car Wallpaper

2010 Porsche 911 GT3 RS Interior

2010 Porsche 911 GT3 RS Sport Car

2010 Porsche 911 GT3 RS Rear View

2010 Porsche 911 Sport Classic

2009-10-23T07:05:00.001-07:00

2010 Porsche 911 Sport Classic Front View

2010 Porsche 911 Sport Classic Crystal Headlight

2010 Porsche 911 Sport Classic Top Picture

2010 Porsche 911 Sport Classic Interior

2010 Porsche 911 Sport Classic Rear View

2010 Porsche 911 Sport Classic Wallpaper

2010 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup

2009-10-23T07:04:00.000-07:00

2010 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Front View

2010 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Picture

2010 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Engine

2010 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Rear View

2010 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Best Car Wallpaper

2010 Gemballa Mistrale Porsche Panamera

2009-10-23T07:03:00.000-07:00

2010 Gemballa Mistrale Porsche Panamera Front View

2010 Gemballa Mistrale Porsche Panamera Car Wallpaper

2010 Gemballa Mistrale Porsche Panamera Rear View

2010 Gemballa Mistrale Porsche Panamera Sport Car

2010 Porsche 911 Turbo

2009-10-23T06:48:00.001-07:00

2010 Porsche 911 Turbo Sport Car

2010 Porsche 911 Turbo Rear Angle Speed

2010 Porsche 911 Turbo Wallpaper

2009 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S

2009-10-23T06:47:00.004-07:00

2009 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S Wallpaper

2009 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S Sport Car

2009 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S Interior

2009 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S Side View

2009 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S Picture

2009 Porsche Boxster S Pictures

2009-10-23T06:47:00.003-07:00

2009 Porsche Boxster S Picture

2009 Porsche Boxster S Car Show

2009 Porsche Boxster S Interior

2009 Porsche Boxster S Sport

2009 Porsche Boxster S Wallpaper

2010 Porsche Panamera

2009-10-23T06:47:00.001-07:00

2010 Porsche Panamera Wallpaper

2010 Porsche Panamera Sport Car

2010 Porsche Panamera Image

2010 Porsche Panamera Picture

2010 Porsche Panamera Interior

2010 Porsche Panamera

2010 Porsche Panamera Best Sedan

2010 Porsche Panamera Photo

Porsche 911 Carrera Car

2009-10-23T06:28:00.000-07:00

Porsche 911 Carrera Car Wallpaper

Porsche 911 Carrera Thunderbird

Porsche 911 Carrera Cabrio

Porsche 911 Turbo Babe Image

Porsche 911 Carrera Car Picture

Porsche 911 Carrera Sport Car

Porsche 911 Carrera

Porsche 911 Carrera Best Car

2010 Porsche Panamera Review

2009-10-18T18:23:00.002-07:00

With the 2010 Panamera sedan, Porsche fills out its lineup with a truly spacious four-door that makes few compromises in its search for buyers seeking shattering power, great handling, and real room for four adults. It's no four-door coupe, like the Aston Martin Rapide or the Mercedes-Benz CLS, but a true "gran turismo."

Styling is a major controversy point. TheCarConnection.com's editors and reviewers from around the Web find the shape awkward. The Panamera's front fenders and rear lines help create a low drag coefficient, and rounded headlamps and tapered tail lamps render traditional details handsomely. The front end is low-but the rear roofline isn't, which makes the Panamera seem out of proportion, even in darker tones. Despite the obvious comparisons to Porsche's iconic 911, Edmunds says that the Panamera "isn't a four-door 911 - the engine's in the front, for one thing - but the 911's spirit is alive and kicking" in the Panamera, a common sentiment among reviewers surveyed by TheCarConnection.com. Edmunds also calls it an "undeniably sleek and sporty automobile," but others don't share that enthusiasm. Motor Trend in particular points out that "the controversial exterior styling is still awkward from side on," although they do concede that, "on the road, in the traffic, it's a striking looking car." Cars.com is less polite, griping that what Porsche has done "isn't styling - this is some kind of weird enlargement surgery you go to South America for."

The Panamera's cabin is a blend of leather, wood, and plastic, with a little too much of the last. Porsche's ignition sits to the left of the steering wheel, which itself comes from the 911, but most of the rest of the dash touches on new styling themes that aren't always successful. Wide flanks of buttons surround the console and overhead controls, giving them gills-a strange touch when the wood and leather lend an appealing 1970s flair that's executed even better in the console separating the rear seats. The control stalks on the column feel wiggly and out of touch with the rest of the quality pieces, too. Edmunds laments that there are "more center stack buttons than a button factory." Motor Trend reports that the 2010 Porsche Panamera's cabin "is truly gorgeous," combining materials and styling elements "in ways that will have Audi's interior designers sitting up and taking notice." Cars.com adds that the "four-seat interior design is the best on the market," while Autoblog christens the cockpit "unique and innovative." Several other reviewers return to the Edmunds criticism of the interior layout, although Autoblog notes that, "while intimidating at first glance, the sea of buttons are logically placed into quadrants" according to function, and "after some familiarization, their individual operations are readily absorbed."

2010 Porsche 911 Turbo

2009-10-18T18:23:00.001-07:00

2010 Porsche 911 Turbo

* Specs: Direct-injected 3.8-liter boxer six-cylinder, 500 horsepower and 516 pound-feet torque; seven-speed dual-clutch transmission or six-speed manual
* Speeds: 0-60 mph in 3.2 seconds; top speed, 194 mph (estimated by Porsche)
* Price: $132,800 (Coupe) and $143,800 (Cabriolet)
* On sale: January 2010

You've been teased for too long: first by Porsche, then by High Gear Media's previews from the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show.

Finally, this week, we're overdosing you on the 2010 Porsche 911 Turbo with a live drive from Lisbon, Portugal and the famed Estoril race track.

Both the 911 Turbo Coupe and Cabriolet arrive early next year in the U.S. with a staggering new powertrain stuffed into the latest generation of the 911 body shell. The engine's been upsized 0.2 liters, but it's still a flat six; with variable turbocharger vanes, direct injection and a new performance intake manifold, the Turbo's 3.8-liter six fires up 500 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque (peak, with the optional Sport Chrono package). It's an entirely new engine for the Turbo, a first in the 35-year-history of the Turbo, Porsche says.

With the new seven-speed Porsche "PDK" dual-clutch transmission or a six-speed manual, the stout new engine's enough to propel the 911 Turbo to 60 mph in just 3.2 seconds, Porsche also says. Top speed is a promised 194 mph for either Coupe or Cabriolet models. And despite adding 20 hp and a near 200-mph top end, the 2010 911 Turbo also checks in with carbon dioxide emissions reduced by 18 percent and with better fuel economy, though the official EPA figures aren't available yet.

The other important drivetrain add-on is the optional Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV), which combines with the standard Porsche Traction Management (PTM) all-wheel drive and Porsche Stability Management (PSM) to pair electronic and mechanical controls to put power to individual wheels where needed, for the utmost traction. It's similar to the system pioneered by the Acura RL, and is installed on the 2010 Porsche Panamera to brilliant success.

Inside, the 911 Turbo wears a new optional steering wheel that changes the buttons controlling the PDK transmission. On other Porsches, the left and right buttons each can control upshifts and downshifts. With the new wheel, the left paddle downshifts the PDK gearbox and the right triggers an upshift. The rest of the 911 Turbo's already impressive and capable feature set carries over from the previous model.

Porsche’s new luxury sedan unveiled in Qatar

2009-10-18T18:21:00.000-07:00

Guests exploring the Panamera 4S

The Porsche Panamera, described as one of the most anticipated models in performance motoring history, was launched in Qatar by Al Boraq Automobiles at a grand event at Doha Exhibition Centre.
“This event is about celebrating with every Porsche aficionado the arrival of the new family member,” Al Boraq’s chairman and CEO Salman J al-Darwish told the gathering.

Al-Darwish and Papke at the Panamera launch. PICTURES: Nasar T K

Porsche Middle East and Africa managing director Deesch Papke, observed that the vision of Porsche founder Ferry Porsche, whose 100th birthday is being commemorated this year, continues with a new icon carrying the Porsche badge and DNA.
“In developing this four-seater Gran Turismo, our engineers, technicians and designers invested all the accumulated know-how and passion of the past 60 years,” he explained.
Papke earlier told Gulf Times that 4,500 pre-orders have been received for the Panamera world-wide, including 500 from the region. The production target for the first year is 20,000 cars.
The Panamera, which combines the looks of a coupé, the opulence of a luxury car, four-seater space and Porsche’s distinctive driving dynamics, is available in three versions—the S, the 4S and the top-of-the-range Turbo.
The Panamera follows a Porsche design philosophy that has been refined over the decades on the 911 and successfully implemented on the Boxster, Cayman and Cayenne.
Strongly contoured air intakes instead of a conventional radiator grille, strong wheel arches, long and sleek bonnet, muscular shoulders over the rear wheels, the dynamic sweep of the coupé-like roofline and the visible tailpipes continue to bestow the feel of its forebears.
The 4.8-litre Panamera S generates 400hp through an eight-cylinder motor that drives the rear wheels via a the Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) dual-clutch transmission—featured for the first time ever in a large, four-door model in the premium segment—with seven gears, which improves the fuel consumption to 12.5 l/100km.
With its 500 Nm of torque from between 3,500 and 5,000 rpm, and 83.2hp output per litre, the Panamera S can accelerate to 100km/h in 5.6 seconds, and continue to a top speed of 285km/h.
PDK also comes as standard on the 4.8-litre, 400-hp Panamera 4S, which also features Porsche Traction Management and an intelligent all-wheel drive system.
The 4S can hit 100 km/h in 5.0 seconds and is capable of a top speed of 282km/h. Fuel consumption is 11.1 l/100 km.
With a 500-hp, eight-cylinder engine and bi-turbo technology, the top of the range Panamera Turbo, comes with PDK as standard alongside all-wheel drive.
It generates 700 Nm of torque from 2,250 to 4,500 rpm—779 Nm with Overboost in conjunction with optional Sports Chrono Package Turbo in the Sports Plus Mode—and boasts a power output per litre of 104.1hp.
The Turbo has a top speed of 303 km/h and a staggering time of only 4.2 seconds from 0 to100 km/h. In spite of the Turbo’s performance potential, it still registers meagre fuel consumption of 12.2 l/100 km.
All models feature Direct Fuel Injection, low-friction drivetrains, and lightweight body technology. Even the Panamera Turbo weighs less than 2,000 kg, despite its wide range of standard equipment.
Porsche Active Suspension Management is a standard feature on the Turbo and an option on the Panamera S and 4S. Its three manually adjustable control maps and frequency-specific damping provide a wide range of adjustments, from extra sporting through to extremely comfortable motoring. Porsche Stability Management (PSM), standard in the Panamera, comprises a whole range of functions, from ABS and anti-slip control to engine drag-force control, automatic brake differential, and Brake Assist with pre-filling of the brake system. It also features a trailer stabilising system, start-off management and halt management.
The Panamera comes on newly developed 18- and 19-inch wheels, with unique, 20-inch, lightweight aluminium wheels available as an option.
Each model runs on tyres of different size front and rear, which ensures that the wheels are properly matched to the needs on each axle, offering optimum traction, driving stability and steering qualities combined with supreme comfort at all times.
Available on the Panamera Turbo is an active aerodynamic system that deploys a multi-stage, adjustable rear spoiler, which adds to stability and ride comfort, while also helping to further improve fuel efficiency.
All models in the Panamera range come standard with sports seats for the driver and front passenger, electrically adjustable in eight directions.
Available on request is four-zone, automatic air conditioning with individual adjustment of temperature, blower strength and air distribution for each seat.
The Panamera sets new standards in its class in terms of audio and communication. The highlight is the seven-inch, colour touch screen fitted with both the CDR-31 audio system and Porsche Communication Management (PCM), including a navigation module.
The Panamera S and 4S come with the CDR-31 as standard, while the Turbo is equipped with PCM, with the navigation module available as an option on the other two models. Based on these sophisticated high-tech systems, the Panamera offers a large number of individual functions ranging from voice control through to Bluetooth mobile phone connections. Features extend all the way to an electronic logbook.
All functions are easily operated from a touch screen, with the additional option to transmit films or data from one screen to the other.
A premium Burmester High-End Surround Sound System is available as an option, while the BOSE Surround Sound System comes as standard in the Panamera Turbo and is optional on all other models.
The Panamera has full-size airbags igniting in two stages depending on the severity and type of accident, and offering the driver and front passenger substantial safety and protection.

2009 MANSORY Chopster Porsche Cayenne Limited Edition

2009-10-10T18:52:00.001-07:00

The latest generation of the MANSORY Chopster – a holistic SUV artwork with the exclusiveness and precise processing of a Swiss clockwork

MANSORY, the refining specialist for super sports cars presents the world premiere of the latest generation Chopster on the Frankfurt Motor Show. Even more noble, more exclusive and with an interior full of innovations and unrivalled manufacturing quality.

The company owner Kourosh Mansory assigned this project to the subsidiary MANSORY Switzerland AG – in-house specialist for Porsche cars. At the MANSORY stand (hall 5) in Frankfurt, MANSORY Switzerland AG presents its fascinating interpretation of the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S. A breathtaking car body styling, precisely adjusted aerodynamics components, a vigorous 710 hp turbo engine and a unprecedented abundance of interior refinements turn the Chopster into a holistic automobile artwork.

Carbon – the basis for modifications

Mansory relies on most modern manufacturing methods and solely uses the ultra-light and high-strength material carbon for its extensive auto body modifications. Whether front- or rear apron, doors, bonnet or the wings which broaden the cars by 80 millimeters - all components are formed out of carbon and hardened under strong pressure and high temperatures in the autoclave. The advantages of the high-tech method are evident: reducing the car weight does not only improve the acceleration values, but also reduces the braking distance and the fuel consumption of the Chopster. Large air inlets provide an optimal air supply for the drive unit. Four extra headlights increase the passive safety and underline the sportive-dynamic look.

Powerful performance enhancement for better elasticity and more driving pleasures

Apart from the auto body, also the charged serial power engine of the Porsche receives an impressive makeover. The Mansory engine department exchanges the serial turbo loader with larger specimen. An adjusted engine management and a significantly improved fresh air supply result in a remarkable increased efficiency.

The modified V8 therefore mobilises 710 hp / 522 kW and a maximum torque of 900 Nm and achieves a maximum speed of 302 km/h. A sport exhaust system with an optimised off-gas stream perfects the Mansory engine upgrade. A proprietary development consisting of a racing header and a four-pipe baffler regulates the sound scenery through the integrated valve control and the driver can select a restrained sonorous or a powerful and voluminous sound.

Wheel and running gear – Components for best road holding characteristics and dynamic appearance

The fully forged 11x23 inch mono block rims in turbine design and the Dunlop Sport Maxx GT-tyres sized 315/25/23 perfectly fit under the broadened Chopster wing. By the Mansory sport module for air suspension control, the XXL-wheels are additionally enhanced. If desired, the SUV´s centre of gravity can be lowered by 45 millimetres.

Engineer design without limits

The interior is lined with most delicate materials rendering a comfortable feeling. The leather of the Chopster interior is extremely hard wearing, but yet enormously soft and finished by expert hand. For the Chopster interior, the MANSORY interior designers only use flawless leather skins and accentuate them with discreet decorative stitches.

An eye-catching highlight of the newly designed interior is the centre console which stretches from the back compartment to the dash-board. Four individual sports seats with shell-type seats made of carbon fibre render an extravagant atmosphere and provide optimal hold to its passengers.

Equipped with two monitors in the centre console as well as DVD-player and laptop with internet connection, the car offers everything the clientele desires. The newly designed airbag sports steering wheel, the aluminium pedals and the carbon fibre applications perfect the exquisite overall impression in the Chopster. MANSORY achieved the perfect symbiosis of dynamic functionality and a luxurious atmosphere.

PORCHE 944S 1983 FH

2009-10-10T18:51:00.000-07:00

HI GUYS,
YOU ARE LOOKING AT A PORSCHE 944 1983 2.5L.
THE CAR HAS JUST BEEN THROUGH AN MOT, SO STILL HAS A FULL YEAR, NO TAX AT PRESENT, BUT THIS CAN BE ARRANGED AT EXTRA COST IF INTEREST IS SHOWN.
THE CAR HAS PART SERVICE HISTORY, AND LOTS AND LOTS OF RECIEPTS, ENGINE RE-BUILD IN 2002 ETC, THE CAR HAS A PRIVATE PLATE, IS WORTH ATLEAST £300 ON IT'S OWN!! BUT WILL BE SOLD WITH CAR!
THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING FOR ABOUT A MONTH,GOOD ALL ROUND CONDITION, JUST NEEDS SOME TLC, AND SOME ONE WHO HAS THE TIME TO MAKE IT SOMETHING SPECIAL, WHICH WOULD NOT BE HARD IN ITS CURRENT STATE.
IT HAS AFTER MARKET SPRAY JOB(USED TO BE RED) NOT THE BEST, FEW SMALL CHIPS AND SCRATCHES, A DENT IN LOWER PASSENGER SIDE WING AND TOP OF DRIVER SIDE FLIP LIGHT, 17 INCH PORSCHE CUP ALLOYS, ORIGINAL SEATS AND INTERIOR (SEATS A LITTLE TATTY) THIS CAR IS 26 YEARS OLD AND A CLASSIC!!
LOVELY CAR, BUT HAVE DECIDED WE WANT SOMETHING A LITTLE MORE PRACTICAL.
BEING VW ENTHUSIASTS WE WILL BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO PART EXCHANGE FOR VW GOLF/ BEETLE OR SIMILAR WITH MOT.
COULD MAKE A GOOD PROJECT CAR, OR TRACK DAY CAR, WHO KNOWS!!
COME AND HAVE A LOOK OR GIVE US A CALL AND SEE WHAT YOU THINK, WE HAVE TRIED TO BE AS HONEST AS POSSIBLE, AND WILL BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS!
WE CAN E-MAIL MORE IMAGES IF REQUIRED.

Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe

2009-01-19T00:39:00.000-08:00

If you want a truly unique experience in a sports car . there is no substitute of porsche 911 carrera coupe . It will turn heads and thrill your heart.

Don't look for 40 mpg. It will not happen. It isn't a Prius.

Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Coupe

2009-01-08T07:14:00.001-08:00

Standard Features:

Driver Airbag With Dual Stage Deployment
All-Wheel Drive
AM/FM Radio With 235-Watts and 9 Speakers Total; CD Player; MP3 Player

Porsche 911

2009-01-08T07:12:00.000-08:00

Who would buy a car(Porsche 911) sight unseen? We know you wouldn't, and that's why we have a complete selection of new Porsche 911 pictures available for you to browse. Select an option below to view detailed 2009 & 2008 Porsche 911 photos from all angles.

Porsche 911 Reviews
we helps to ensure you are receiving the Porsche 911 inside scoop on what is taking place in today's auto market. Porsche 911 Reviews are based off first hand test drives by industry experts.