2013 Porsche Carrera

 2013 Porsche Carrera 4 And 4S

After testing the all-wheel drive version of the new generation Porsche 911 Carrera for quite some time, Porsche has finally dropped the official details on the new Carrera 4 and 4S models. The new models will make their world debut at the 2012 Paris Auto Show and will be put on sale at the end of the year. Prices for the German market will start from 97,557 euro ($122,300 at the current rates) for the coupe and 110,290 euro ($138,200 at the current rates) for the convertible model.

The new Carrera 4 is powered by a 3.4-liter flat-six engine that delivers a total of 350 HP, while the 4S version gets a 3.8 liter engine that produces 400 HP. The standard version can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds, while the 4S will do the sprint in 4.1 seconds. Top speed for the 4S coupe version goes up to an impressive 185 mph.

Next to being more powerful than the previous generation, the new Carrera 4 and 4S models are about 143 lbs lighter. The two models have also been equipped with the AWD Porsche Traction Management (PTM) system and feature 22mm wider rear wheel arches when compared to the standard Carrera.

UPDATE 09/06/2012: Porsche has unveiled a new series of six videos featuring the latest Carrera 4 and 4S models. Enjoy!

UPDATE 11/06/2012: Porsche has unveiled a promo video for their new Carrera 4 model. The video is called "Two impressive red lines" and it is the first in a series of films introducing the UK launch of the new 911 all-wheel drive Carrera 4 models.

Exterior

In June 2012, we busted the 2013 Porsche Carrera 4 and 4S models whipping around the Nürburgring in an effort to work out the kinks in this upcoming revamp. The Carrera was bearing very little clothing, but still had enough on to leave a little bit to the imagination.

Like a tough game of Where’s Waldo, it takes a keen eye to spot the differences between the front end of the 2013 model and the 2012 model. The first thing we notice is that the nose is ever-so-slightly wedged more so than the 2012 model. Porsche also scrapped the all-too-typical boring Porsche front fascia and installed a new one. This new fascia boasts wider side air inlets and a slightly narrower mouth without the two side bars that we had on the 2012 model. Also changed up are the turn signals, as the 2013 model boast harder-angled, hockey-stick-style turn signals up front.

The mirrors have also moved from being A-pillar mounted to sitting on the top of the door – a trend gaining steam in the auto industry as of late. As you approach the back end of this AWD Porsche, you’re going to find a backside that is slightly more voluptuous than the RWD 911, as there’s an extra 44 mm of cushion to make room for the AWD system and the wider tires.

From the rear, you’re going to find the same illuminated taillight bar that was shown off on the 2013 911. You also get one fewer engine cooling louver, making the count three instead of four. Porsche also scrapped the old and fat looking taillights on the 2012 Carrera and replaced them with more triangular and thinner units.

As you reach the redesigned integrated rear diffuser, you will also find two large oval exhaust exits, as opposed to the four smaller units found in the previous generation.

In all, the redesigned 2013 Carrera 4 and 4S look pretty much as expected, as we have already seen the redesigned 911 and we knew it wouldn’t stray too far from its roots. Still, this is a great job building onto a legend, as opposed to tearing it down and starting over.

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2012 Porsche Cayenne

2012 Porsche Cayenne Diesel by Kahn Design

Kahn Design is keeping busy releasing a new tuning program every week. So far, they have been focusing on Land Rover models, but this week’s package du jour is for the Porsche Cayenne 3.0 Diesel.

Kahn started by adding a very cool aerodynamic package which includes vented front and rear wide wheel arches with integrated front and rear air dams, a lower boot lid spoiler, and exterior Kahn enamel wing shields. The door handles are finished in matte black, while the brake calipers are finished in liquid gold. They have also opted to put in LED daytime running lights for the front wheel arch vents and privacy tinted glass. The final element of the exterior package is a new set of 22" Kahn RS wheels finished in a color chosen by the customer. There is also a sports lowering module which provides the car with a sportier appearance.

For the interior, the package adds black and carbon quilted and perforated leather with ivory contrast stitching, a black and carbon quilted leather center glovebox, a red and cream colored speedo and rev counter facia, and balck charcoal finish floor mats.

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2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder vs. 2011 Audi S4

2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder vs. 2011 Audi S4 - Comparison Test

The Audi’s mistake-proof grip and Porsche’s pinpoint precision are interesting counterpoints…

Slideshow >>

Video >>

Talk about an embarrassment of riches. On one hand, we have the most powerful, most firmly sprung, lightest and quickest production Porsche Boxster on the planet (albeit with a fussy 2-piece carbon/canvas “emergency” top that remained in place only long enough to take a static photo). And on the other, the Audi S4 whose 3.0-liter supercharged V-6 delivers whip-quick, preternaturally strong surges of acceleration from seemingly everywhere in the rev range, each wheel driven through a sophisticated awd system that’s augmented by the optional rear torque-vectoring differential.

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2013 Porsche Panamera

Spy Shots: 2013 Porsche Panamera gets a New Face

Oh the Porsche Panamera. Love it or hate it, it is here to stay and our spy photographers have confirmed that with some new images showing a minor facelift for the sports sedan. The new Porsche Panamera should be showing its new face in time for the 2013 model year and is apparently taking some design cues from the new Porsche 911/991 to dazzle the crowd.

The term facelift is rather appropriate for the future Panamera because as of right now, the vehicle’s "face" is exactly what has received some changes. These images show Porsche’s attempt to hide the new headlights, bumpers, and rearlights that will be showcased on the future Panamera. The front end looks to have taken a page from the new 911’s book, but the rear end is still holding on to the old design...for now. We expect that prototypes displaying the full changes for the facelift will arrive shortly.

As for the engine lineup, we anticipate the current line to carry over, maybe with some performance enhancements for good measure. This will mean a 3.6-liter V6 engine that may be slightly more powerful than the 300hp at 6,200rpm and 295 lb-ft of torque at 3,750rpm it currently delivers. Direct fuel injection, dry-sump lubrication, and “VarioCam Plus” will also carry over, as will the 7-speed PDK transmission.

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2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder vs. 2011 Audi S4 - Comparison Test

Talk about an embarrassment of riches. On one hand, we have the most powerful, most firmly sprung, lightest and quickest production Porsche Boxster on the planet (albeit with a fussy 2-piece carbon/canvas “emergency” top that remained in place only long enough to take a static photo). And on the other, the Audi S4 whose 3.0-liter supercharged V-6 delivers whip-quick, preternaturally strong surges of acceleration from seemingly everywhere in the rev range, each wheel driven through a sophisticated awd system that’s augmented by the optional rear torque-vectoring differential.

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2012 Porsche 911

The Porsche 911 can be considered as classic as a Rembrandt, becoming an artistic addition to the often style-less sports car category. The shape has remained constant because well, why toy with perfection? The fact that it is well know for its iconic look might explain why the 911 has only been changed three times in its 48 year history. The 2012 911, known by its codename “991”, is the latest interpretation of Porsche’s classic 911.

This new 911 is going to undergo a bit of makeover with a 4 inch longer wheel base and wider axle tracks. However, the biggest change happens under the hood. Porsche appears to have decided to downsize the flat six engine from 3.6 liters to 3.4 liters. Motor Authority also points out that the base engine will be based on the one found on the Boxster S and Top Gear says Porsche has ”fitted it with new cylinder heads to allow it to rev higher.” Don’t react to this with angst though because the base power plant pushes out a meaty 350 horses. The Carrera RS version (replacing the Carrera S) will have a nice 400 horsepower which is 15 more than the previous model. As the power goes up, torque goes down in the base model by 8 lbs/ft, while in the RS it goes down by 15 lbs/ft. According to Top Gear, Porsche has also been shaving away the weight (30-40kg) by using aluminum for the floor and most of the external panels. This was done by Porsche to improve fuel economy and lower emissions. Then supporting these new power plants will be a new seven speed manual or the optional double clutch automatic.

Hit the jump for the full story.

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Top Gear also points out that though it is definitely distinctive from the previous 911, describing it as, “... less rear-engined. Less 911-ish, more Cayman-like. Because, in a way, it is. Of course, the engine’s where it always was, hanging out the back. But the rear wheels have moved 70mm back.” This new Porsche is positioning itself right along side its main competition - the BMW M3 - and it looks like it is going to be too close to call. Top Gear points out that Porsche says it will do 60 in about 4.5 seconds which is exactly the same as the BMW M3. We think this will be the first time that Porsche can really challenge BMW. The engineers from Stuttgart have not only risen to the challenge mechanically, but also in the aesthetic battle over the somewhat conventional looking counterpart, the M3. All in all, we believe this latest incarnation of the classic 911 will be well received by both critics and Porsche fans alike. It will undoubtedly lead the marque forward with advances in performance and fuel efficiency. This points to a new direction for Porsche in which it will keep the faithful, but will also help it to gain many more fans along the way.

Source:Top Gear

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Porsche 911 GT3 tuned RSR Wins Nurburgring

Porsche managed to overtake the competition this past weekend at the Nurburgring 24 hours race with a new distance record of 156 laps and 3,958.968 kilometers. Driven by Porsche works drivers, Marc Lieb (Germany), Timo Bernhard (Germany), Romain Dumas (France) as well as Lucas Luhr (Switzerland), the Porsche GT3 RSR won the 39th running of the long distance classic in the Eifel.

"We already knew before the start that we could only win if we worked together as a team, from the drivers through to the mechanics. And this worked very well for the entire time," Timo Bernhard said. Indeed, aside from the usual tensions on the track, there was just one truly critical situation – strangely enough in the pits. Lucas Luhr: "During a pit stop the petrol pump didn’t work. Fuel simply didn’t come out. So we had to push our car back to another pump and in doing so lost almost a minute."

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2011 Porsche Panamera P680 By Switzer Performance

Ohio-based tuning specialist, Switzer Performance, is fast making a name for itself in the aftermarket industry, having created a growing number of projects that include the Nissan GT-R E900 and the Porsche 911 GT2.

Their latest program is for the Porsche Panamera Turbo and as you can expect, Switzer gave it a robust tuning upgrade. They added their newly developed P680 hardware on the German luxury saloon’s 4.4-liter V8 engine and its resulting output from the standard 500 horsepower and 516 lb/ft of torque to a mouth-watering 680 horsepower and right about 700 lb/ft of torque.

In addition to the P680 hardware, the added boost in output was also aided by the addition of a new intercooler system and the company’s own Siemens ECU upgrade. All in all, the Switzer-tuned Panamera Turbo is now capable of hitting 0-60 mph in a little over three seconds with a top speed of 215 mph. The whole package is now available for a base price of $22,000, which may sound like a fortune, except for the fact that it does give the Panamera enough boost to become a gnarly monster.

For that price tag, it’s good enough for us.

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