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  • Rendered: Entry-Level Porsche Roadster

    Rendered: Entry-Level Porsche Roadster November 5th, 2009 By Viknesh Vijayenthiran's avatar Viknesh Vijayenthiran, Author, November 5th, 2009 Viknesh Vijayenthiran 7 Comments

    Rendered: Entry-Level Porsche Roadster

    Hot on the heels of this morning’s reveal of the 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder comes this new computer-generated rendering of what a brand new ‘entry-level’ roadster model from the esteemed sports car company could look like.

    There have been countless reports on Porsche adding a fifth model to its lineup, one that is cheaper than the Boxster and several executives at the company have even hinted at the car. The introduction of such a model would allow Porsche to increase its sales while maintaining exclusivity of hallowed models like the 911.

    If built, the new model could be built along the lines of the original Porsche 914...

    Hot on the heels of this morning’s reveal of the 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder comes this new computer-generated rendering of what a brand new ‘entry-level’ roadster model from the esteemed sports car company could look like. There have been countless reports on Porsche adding a fifth model to its lineup, one that is cheaper than the Boxster and several executives at the company have even hinted at the car. The introduction of such a model would allow Porsche to increase its sales while maintaining exclusivity of hallowed models like the 911. If built, the new model could be built along the lines of the original Porsche 914 of the late 1960s and early 1970s. Though the lightweight mid-engined Porsche 914 was far from a perfect machine, it has developed a cult following that keeps it active in the streets and on tracks around the world to this day. With Volkswagen now sitting on an advanced mid-engined platform developed for its Bluesport roadster concept and eventual production version, as well as Porsche’s strengthening links with the German auto giant, the case for a new baby Porsche roadster is made even stronger. The baby roadster would be a joint effort between Porsche and Volkswagen though the basic mechanicals would likely be drawn primarily from Volkswagen’s massive corporate parts bin. The two engines with the most potential are the 1.4-liter turbocharged/supercharged TSI unit that's good for 170 horsepower and the 125 horsepower turbodiesel four-cylinder. Expect it to come sans-LSD, however, in order to keep the car from vying too closely with the lower end of the Boxster range. At an estimated 2,200 pounds and 170 horsepower, the baby roadster could be expected to give the standard Lotus Elise a run for its money, especially considering it is likely to benefit from Porsche's legendary suspension tuning and steering design. There remains no official confirmation of any such joint project as yet--it's still purely in the realm of speculation, and optimistic at that--but it does make sense. Tight fuel economy requirements make production of a quick, nimble and miserly car an appealing maneuver, and tying it into established enthusiast history could help Porsche side-step issues that such a model might create for its image. Not that the Panamera, soon to be available in diesel and hybrid forms, or the Cayenne in its many guises do much to keep with the company's tradition of sports car-focused performance. Read More

  • 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder Preview

    2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder Preview November 5th, 2009 By Viknesh Vijayenthiran Viknesh Vijayenthiran, Author, November 5th, 2009 Viknesh Vijayenthiran 0 Comments

    2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder Preview

    • What is it? A lighter and more hardcore version of the Boxster S
    • The basics: 10 extra horsepower and 176 less pounds
    • On sale: February 2010, with a public showing at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show
    • Price: $61,200

    Looking back on some of the cars that made sport driving great, and built the legend that has become today's Porsche, you have to wonder how we ever got to 3,500 pounds, 500 horsepower twin-turbo monsters. The 356 Speedster, for example--considered by many to be one of the first modern sports cars--weighed a mere 1,670 pounds and managed just 40 horsepower in some guises.

    It appears the Speedster has...

    • What is it? A lighter and more hardcore version of the Boxster S • The basics: 10 extra horsepower and 176 less pounds • On sale: February 2010, with a public showing at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show • Price: $61,200 Looking back on some of the cars that made sport driving great, and built the legend that has become today's Porsche, you have to wonder how we ever got to 3,500 pounds, 500 horsepower twin-turbo monsters. The 356 Speedster, for example--considered by many to be one of the first modern sports cars--weighed a mere 1,670 pounds and managed just 40 horsepower in some guises. It appears the Speedster has made a return, although this time around Porsche has used its Boxster as the basis. The new car is called the 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder and it’s set to make its world debut next month at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show before going on sale in February 2010. The Spyder is based on the Boxster S but it gets a small bump in performance, with its 3.4-liter flat-six engine developing 320 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque--the same as the current Cayman S. Weighing in at just 2,811 pounds, the Spyder will be the lightest Porsche available--from a company already known for lightweight, proficient sports cars. Some of the techniques used to shed the pounds include the removal of the regular Boxster’s daytime running lights and fog lamps, as well as its automatic soft-top roof. Instead, the Spyder gets a manually-operated canopy-style roof and new rear deck. Inside, the weight saving theme continues with the removal of the air conditioner and stereo, as well as the regular Boxster’s seats, which have been replaced with lighter and more supportive bucket seats. The end result is a saving of 0.2 seconds off the Boxster S’ 0-62 mph time, with the Boxster Spyder doing it in just 4.8 seconds when equipped with Porsche’s PDK dual-clutch gearbox and Sport Chrono Plus package. The other benefit of the lighter kerb weight is a slight improvement in fuel economy though official numbers are yet to be released. The combination of more horsepower and 176 pounds less weight than the Boxster S, plus an all-new sport suspension that lowers the Boxster Spyder 20 mm, a lower center of gravity, a standard limited slip differential, and exclusive wheels provides the kind of driving dynamics that back up the unique look. Aluminum door skins and lightweight interior door panels from the 911 GT3 RS contribute to the weight reduction. This third Boxster model will join the Boxster and Boxster S and will make its world debut at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show, December 2, 2009. First sales will start in February 2010, with prices starting at $61,200. Read More

  • 2010 Porsche Panamera Off To Flying Start

    2010 Porsche Panamera Off To Flying Start November 2nd, 2009 By Viknesh Vijayenthiran Viknesh Vijayenthiran, Author, November 2nd, 2009 Viknesh Vijayenthiran 2 Comments

    2010 Porsche Panamera Off To Flying Start

    Porsche, the once unassailable leader in the sports car segment, has proven that it's not completely immune from global economic conditions but the brand is at a crossroads and a raft of new models could see it rise to the top once again.

    This turn around is being led by the new 2010 Porsche Panamera, which has already racked up 983 firm orders and will allow the automaker to record flat or slightly increased sales this year. This has got to be very good news for Porsche, which is coming off a year that saw sales in the U.S. drop 32% to 14,310 units through September after declining 25% in all of 2008 to 26,035 units.

    The information comes...

    Porsche, the once unassailable leader in the sports car segment, has proven that it's not completely immune from global economic conditions but the brand is at a crossroads and a raft of new models could see it rise to the top once again. This turn around is being led by the new 2010 Porsche Panamera, which has already racked up 983 firm orders and will allow the automaker to record flat or slightly increased sales this year. This has got to be very good news for Porsche, which is coming off a year that saw sales in the U.S. drop 32% to 14,310 units through September after declining 25% in all of 2008 to 26,035 units. The information comes from Michael Bartsch, COO of Porsche North America, who explained that the Panamera is bringing new customers to the brand and helping boost traffic numbers in showrooms. Porsche expects to sell just 1,000 Panameras this year in the U.S., with an additional 200 being kept as demonstrators. Next year, the automaker plans to sell between 4,000 and 6,000 Panameras in the U.S., accounting for roughly a quarter of worldwide sales. Beyond that, Porsche is planning a handful of new models and updates. These include new hybrid and diesels, as well as the next-generation Cayenne, 911 and Boxster/Cayman models. For a comprehensive rundown of Porsche’s planned model launches, between now and 2012, check out our previous story by clicking here. [Automotive News, sub req’d] Read More

  • Entry-Level Porsche Roadster Rumors Hint At Reborn 356

    Entry-Level Porsche Roadster Rumors Hint At Reborn 356 October 29th, 2009 By Nelson Ireson's avatar Nelson Ireson, Author, October 29th, 2009 Nelson Ireson 21 Comments

    Entry-Level Porsche Roadster Rumors Hint At Reborn 356

    Talk of an entry-level Porsche, possibly based on a collaborative platform with Volkswagen's Bluesport roadster (pictured), has been circling the web for over a year now. With Porsche's renewed focus on making not just limited-volume, purist sports cars--see Cayenne, Panamera--the entry-level, sub-Boxster idea makes a lot of sense.

    In fact, such a car could tie Porsche's commercial necessities and its sports car heritage together in a way that no one except elitists would object to. An affordable, balanced, and fun-to-drive mid/rear engine sports car would satisfy the purists, while selling lots of them would satisfy the bottom line.

    The...

    Talk of an entry-level Porsche, possibly based on a collaborative platform with Volkswagen's Bluesport roadster (pictured), has been circling the web for over a year now. With Porsche's renewed focus on making not just limited-volume, purist sports cars--see Cayenne, Panamera--the entry-level, sub-Boxster idea makes a lot of sense. In fact, such a car could tie Porsche's commercial necessities and its sports car heritage together in a way that no one except elitists would object to. An affordable, balanced, and fun-to-drive mid/rear engine sports car would satisfy the purists, while selling lots of them would satisfy the bottom line. The latest report says the sub-Boxster model could be a "new 356"--a re-envisioning of the model that launched Porsche onto the global sportscar scene. The platform would be less related to the Volkswagen Bluesport and more to the Audi R4, though all three would share elements according to previous reports. Audi's R4 is actually expected to launch by summer of 2011, so the Porsche model could be along within a year of that date if development moves forward briskly. Power would be expected to come from a flat four-cylinder displacing about 1.9 liters with a possible mild turbocharging setup or a supercharger for around 250 horsepower. The reborn 356 would of course get its own unique Porsche-designed interior and exterior, so as to be easily distinguishable from its corporate platform mates. At the right weight such a car could rival the Lotus Exige in outright performance while costing somewhat less, at least in the U.S. Currently the Boxster and Boxster S are fairly close price rivals to the Lotus Elise and Exige, though their heavier weight and greater power output slot them into a different class. All of this discussion is far from official, however, and with Porsche's ongoing financial difficulties and new Volkswagen ownership interest, there's a lot that could yet change before the summer of 2012. [Autocar] Read More

  • 2012 Porsche Lineup Preview

    2012 Porsche Lineup Preview October 28th, 2009 By Viknesh Vijayenthiran Viknesh Vijayenthiran, Author, October 28th, 2009 Viknesh Vijayenthiran 1 Comment

    2012 Porsche Lineup Preview

    The next couple of years will see a blitz of new model launches for Porsche with updates and redesigns planned for virtually every model in the automaker’s lineup. The guys at Autocar have compiled a list of what’s brewing within the walls of Porsche’s Stuttgart headquarters.

    Between now and 2012 there will reportedly seven new model launches, starting with a V-6 powered Panamera and a turbodiesel version too next year. These are likely to be entry-level models for the Panamera range, which mean they’ll stick with rear-wheel drive configurations and be low on horsepower, but as with anything wearing a Porsche badge...

    The next couple of years will see a blitz of new model launches for Porsche with updates and redesigns planned for virtually every model in the automaker’s lineup. The guys at Autocar have compiled a list of what’s brewing within the walls of Porsche’s Stuttgart headquarters. Between now and 2012 there will reportedly seven new model launches, starting with a V-6 powered Panamera and a turbodiesel version too next year. These are likely to be entry-level models for the Panamera range, which mean they’ll stick with rear-wheel drive configurations and be low on horsepower, but as with anything wearing a Porsche badge they should still be exciting drives. Next year will also see the launch of the 2011 Porsche Cayenne, the second generation of the performance SUV. We know from recent spy shots that the next Cayenne will be smaller than the current model, which has been criticized for being too heavy and cumbersome for a Porsche. Following the introduction of the new Cayenne will be a hybrid version of the SUV in late 2010 or early 2011. Porsche is targeting V8 performance with four-cylinder emissions and efficiency--exactly what you'd expect of a hybrid. In 2011, Porsche will launch its second hybrid model, a gasoline-electric version of the Panamera with the same powertrain as the Cayenne hybrid SUV. Moving on, the model we’ve all been waiting for ever since the first spy shots of test-mules were revealed as far back as 2007--the 998 Porsche 911. The latest generation of the iconic supercar is due in 2012 and it’s going to be virtually brand new. Of course, styling will be evolutionary but the platform will be longer and wider than the one in the current 997. These alterations are down to a modified steel floorpan and new suspension. Beyond the new 911, things start to get a little murky. The on-again-off-again Porsche Roxster SUV is reportedly in the works for a late 2012 or early 2013 launch. Destined to be based on the same platform as the Audi Q5, the baby SUV will be available in both three- and five-door configurations and borrow strongly from the 911’s styling. Finally, a successor to the 928 is said to be in the works. Based on the Panamera, this new model will be available in both coupe and convertible bodystyles and isn’t due until 2013. [Autocar] Read More

  • 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 RS Posts 7m 33s ‘Ring Time

    2010 Porsche 911 GT3 RS Posts 7m 33s ‘Ring Time October 27th, 2009 By Viknesh Vijayenthiran Viknesh Vijayenthiran, Author, October 27th, 2009 Viknesh Vijayenthiran 3 Comments

    2010 Porsche 911 GT3 RS Posts 7m 33s ‘Ring Time

    It seems like every few weeks or so either Porsche or Nissan comes out with a new Nurburgring lap time for their respective 911 Turbo and GT-R models. The last we looked, Nissan was claiming a 7m 26.7s Nurburgring lap time for its 2010 ‘Series II’ GT-R, while General Motors was boasting an even better time of 7m 22.4 seconds for its Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 supercar.

    Earlier this month we saw Porsche shave 10 seconds off its Nurburgring lap time for the 2010 911 Turbo, ending at 7m 39s, and today we have new times for the more extreme 2010 911 GT3 RS.

    While manufacturer claims should be taken with a grain of salt--there are just...

    It seems like every few weeks or so either Porsche or Nissan comes out with a new Nurburgring lap time for their respective 911 Turbo and GT-R models. The last we looked, Nissan was claiming a 7m 26.7s Nurburgring lap time for its 2010 ‘Series II’ GT-R, while General Motors was boasting an even better time of 7m 22.4 seconds for its Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 supercar. Earlier this month we saw Porsche shave 10 seconds off its Nurburgring lap time for the 2010 911 Turbo, ending at 7m 39s, and today we have new times for the more extreme 2010 911 GT3 RS. While manufacturer claims should be taken with a grain of salt--there are just too many variables that can affect the lap times--the numbers always raise a multitude of questions, especially when a company like Porsche makes an announcement. According to the automaker’s official claims, the 2010 911 GT3 RS laps the 13-mile Nordschliefe circuit in just 7m 33s--a full 7 seconds faster than the regular GT3. Described as the “the most sporting 911 yet”, the new 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 RS features the same 3.8-liter naturally aspirated flat six as the regular GT3 but with a healthier 444 horsepower--35 horsepower up on the outgoing model, and 15 horsepower more than the new GT3. More power, less weight and shorter transmission ratios also ensures the new RS is decidedly more aggressive on-track--and it shows. [EVO] Read More

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