Setting the standard in its class, as it has for generations, the new 911 Carrera and 911 Carrera S raise the performance and efficiency bar yet another notch. All versions get by with significantly less than 10 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers (official U.S. EPA fuel mileage estimates are TBD) and fuel consumption and emissions are up to 16 percent lower in the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) when compared with the predecessor. This is achieved through systems such as the Automatic

The 100 mm or 3.9 inch longer wheelbase and reduced overall height underpin the fresh, athletic yet elegant appearance. When viewed from the front, the eye is drawn to the 911′s trademark wide-arched fenders, emphasizing the wider front track. The side mirrors are now mounted on the upper edge of the door, which also helps highlight the new design line and gives the visual impression of width.

The new lightweight body is an aluminum-steel composite construction and contributes greatly to the 45 kg or about 100 lbs weight reduction when compared to the previous 911 body. When combined with the greater structural rigidity and optimized aerodynamics – including a wider, variably extending rear spoiler – the new 911 Carrera’s front and rear lift has been reduced to near zero while retaining the Cd value of 0.29.

To complement the modern exterior design, Porsche designers created an interior reminiscent of the Carrera GT. The driver is now even more closely integrated within the cockpit thanks to the rising center console and high-mounted shift lever or gear selector located close to the steering wheel. As with the exterior, classic Porsche elements abound inside. Present is the instrument cluster with five round gauges – one of them a high resolution multifunction screen, and of course the central tachometer and the ignition lock to the left of the steering wheel.

Start Stop function, engine and transmission thermal management, electrical system recuperation, the world’s first seven-speed manual transmission and – in conjunction with the Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) – the ability to ‘sail’ or coast. The new electro-mechanical power steering offers not only Porsche’s typical precision and feedback but also helps increase efficiency and reduce fuel-consumption.

For example, the 911 Carrera with the new 350 hp, 3.4-liter boxer engine and optional PDK consumes 8.2 l/100 km based on the NEDC – 1.6 l/100 km less than its predecessor.

The 911 Carrera S with its 400 hp, 3.8-liter boxer engine – 15 hp more than before – achieves 8.7 l/100 km in the NEDC when paired with the optional PDK transmission. This represents a fuel consumption decrease of 14 percent or 1.5 l/100 km.

At the same time there are performance improvements in both models. The 911 Carrera S with PDK accelerates from 0 to 60 in 4.1 seconds. Using the Launch Control function of the optional Sport Chrono Package cuts that to 3.9 seconds. The 911 Carrera with PDK needs only 4.4 seconds to sprint from a standing start to 60 mph (4.2 seconds when using the optional Sport Chrono Package’s Launch Control function). Top-track speed for the 911 Carrera S and 911 Carrera is 188 mph and 179 mph, respectively.

The new 911 offers both better longitudinal dynamics and unprecedented top performance in terms of transverse dynamics. In addition to the longer wheelbase, the greater agility, precision and driving stability are based, among other things, on the wider front track, the new rear axle and new electro-mechanical power steering. Depending on the model, there are other standard or optional active control systems available that can help further enhance the overall driving dynamics. That is especially true for the Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) active roll stabilization system, available for the first time on the 911 Carrera S. The system helps reduce lateral roll when cornering and helps keep the tires in the optimal position relative to the road surface.

The new 911 further extends the span of seemingly contradictory attributes such as performance and efficiency, sportiness and every day practicality that have always typified the Porsche 911. That makes the 911 Carrera more of a 911 than ever. The new Porsche 911 Carrera celebrates its world premiere at the 2011 IAA Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

The first new 911 models will arrive in U.S. dealerships beginning in February of 2012. The new 911 Carrera Coupe will have a base MSRP of $82,100, while the 911 Carrera S Coupe’s base MSRP will be $96,400 (excluding destination). Both models will include substantial additional equipment when compared to the previous models.

Porsche introduces a new, sporty and limited edition Cayman S arriving late this summer. The 2012 Cayman S Black Edition features a 10-horsepower boost and a long list of standard equipment at an attractive price.

This new mid-engine sports car is only available in solid black and features a monochrome treatment with a black body and black-painted 19-inch Boxster Spyder design wheels. Normally contrasting trim pieces from the Cayman S are also painted for a uniform look: the side air intake grilles are painted black, as are the twin exhaust tailpipes and the model designation on the rear deck lid.

The monochromatic theme continues to the interior where black is the only available color, with aluminum and stainless steel used as accents. The brushed stainless steel door-entry guards feature Black Edition lettering, and the standard SportDesign steering wheel features twin aluminum-look spokes with a rim of smooth-finish black leather. Also painted black are the trim strips on the dashboard and around the six-speed manual shift lever or the gear selector for the optional Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) seven-speed double clutch transmission, while the instrument dials are black instead of the usual white. Two final touches are the Porsche crest embossed on the headrests and a limited-edition badge on the glove compartment.

Like the other Black Editions, the Cayman S Black Edition combines Porsche’s popular option packages to deliver additional value to customers. The black-painted exterior and interior touches are part of the Design package available on other Cayman models. The Convenience package, also standard, includes Bi-Xenon™ headlights with dynamic cornering function, auto-dimming interior and exterior mirrors, rain sensor and automatic climate control.

The Infotainment package adds a touch-screen Porsche Communication Management system with navigation, BOSE® surround-sound system and XM® Satellite Radio with XM NavTraffic®.

The Black Edition’s chassis builds on the foundation of the Cayman S, which already features exceptional balance and handling. The lightest 19-inch wheels in the Porsche lineup are fitted 235/35 ZR 19 tires up front and 265/35 ZR 19 in the rear, providing a visually dynamic upgrade from the standard 18-inch wheels on the regular Cayman S.

A 3.4-liter six-cylinder engine with direct fuel injection, mounted in front of the rear axle, produces 330 horsepower – 10 more than in the Cayman S – while also delivering excellent fuel economy, particularly when coupled with the optional PDK transmission. With PDK, the Cayman S Black Edition will accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in as little as 4.6 seconds with the optional Sport Chrono Package and reaches a top track speed of 172 mph while achieving EPA estimated fuel economy of 20 city and 29 highway (19/26 when equipped with six-speed manual and top track speed of 173 mph), the same as the Cayman S. In addition to reducing the 0–60 acceleration times by two-tenths, the optional Sport Chrono Package with PDK provides a launch control function and more aggressive Sport and Sport Plus shift strategies.

The 2012 Cayman S Black Edition MSRP is $67,500 which gives buyers added value on several levels considering the extra functional and visual upgrades and the enhanced power output.

Porsche will launch the fastest, most powerful 911 GT3 to-date at the Geneva Motor Show on March 3, 2009. The high performance GT3 is the latest in the new generation 911 series and carries over a wide range of expertise learned from motorsports — resulting is superb capabilities both on road and on track.

The 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 raises the performance bar thanks to an increase in engine size to 3.8 liters and VarioCam technology now on both the intake and exhaust. The naturally aspirated six-cylinder boxer engine develops 435 bhp, 20 bhp more than its predecessor.

The new, larger engine offers a significant increase in torque at medium engine speeds, which is particularly important for everyday driving. Track performance is also improved; the new GT3 accelerates to 60 mph in 4.0 seconds and reaches a top track speed of 194 mph.

continue reading "Porsche 911 GT3"

Porsche announced the appointment of Detlev von Platen (44) as President and CEO of Porsche Cars North America (PCNA), effective April 1, 2008 (I hope not a April first joke).

Von Platen will succeed Peter Schwarzenbauer who has been named to the management board of AUDI AG, in Ingolstadt, Germany, responsible for worldwide sales and marketing.

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Porsche announced a voluntary recall of Porsche Cayenne SUVs for a potentially misaligned fuel line. The recall involves V6 Cayenne’s built between the start of 2008 model year production through January 18, 2008, of which 5573 units were sold in the United States and 392 in Canada.

On these SUVs, it has been discovered that slight engine movement while driving may occur and possibly cause a fuel line to contact the engine compartment cladding. This could cause a knocking sound and in rare instances, abrasion marks could possibly occur on the fuel line itself. There have been five known complaints worldwide, and in only one case did the fuel line show abrasion marks. To avoid the risk of any damage, Porsche will be altering the layout of the fuel line in the vehicles affected.

continue reading "Porsche Recalls"

Posche 911 GT2 is fastest car in Porsche’s lineup for 2008. Is that high speed enough for you?