Porsche Details Sporty and Safety Features of the 911 Turbo and Turbo S

Having launched less than two years ago, to commemorate the model’s 40th anniversary, the 911 Turbo is by no means an old car. However, truth be told, a mid-life facelift for the 991 range isn't far off.

Audi SQ5 Faces Off BMW X4 and Porsche Macan in Diesel Premium SUV Battle

One can see where the attraction of the SUV (or crossover, sport activity vehicle or whatever else the carmakers come up with) comes from. Simply put, it’s a spacious family car for those who don’t want to be seen a traditional family car like an estate or an MPV.

Best Of 2015 Tokyo Auto Salon Via Instagram Gallery

Hold on to your butts because January 9 marked the beginning of the 2015 Tokyo Auto Salon in Chiba, Japan. Over the years, the aftermarket automotive expo has consistently evolved and expanded to become the SEMA show of the Far East.

Porsche Details 919 Hybrid Racer Ahead of Le Mans Debut [w/Video]

Two weeks before the start of the Le Mans 24 Hours race, Porsche has released new info on the most complex racing car it has ever built, the 919 Hybrid. Featuring highly advanced energy recuperation and drive systems, the 919 Hybrid is a very efficient racecar.

Artist Humors Us with Porsche Boxenne City Car, But You Never Know…

Okay, this is one of the rendered-hoaxes from April Fools' Day that escaped us, but before you place your giggly face on, just remember how absurd it was to imagine the possibility of a supercar brand like Aston Martin entering the sub-compact segment - not with any city car, but a rebadged-Toyota city car… 

New Porsche Boxster and Cayman GTS in 62 Photos, Plus U.S. Pricing

If you can swallow the $11,400 premium over the Boxster S (MSRP: $62,100) and Cayman S (MSRP: $63,800), the new GTS versions of Porsche's base roadster and coupe models are the ones to gun for in the series, at least for now and until Porsche cooks up something even more sizzling.

Porsche Still Looking into Creating Battery-Powered Sports EV

The last time we heard of a possible Porsche EV sports car was back in 2011, when the German unveiled the 241hp all-electric Boxster (known as the Boxster E). At the time, they talked at length about electric mobility being one of the challenges of the future and how they will be looking to attack the problem in coming years.

Porsche Boss Confirms 4-Cylinder Boxer with Up to 396HP for Next-Gen Boxster and Cayman

The next-iteration of the Porsche Boxster and Cayman sports car will receive a four-cylinder boxer engine, Porsche CEO Matthias Müller disclosed. In an interview with Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport magazine published on March 20, the executive said future Porsche road cars will receive four-cylinder engines, just like the company’s 919 Hybrid endurance racer.

Studiotorino's Moncenisio is a $200,000+ Coachbuilt Kit for the Porsche Cayman

Some $200,000 or €145,000 excluding taxes, transport costs and more importantly, the price for the donor Porsche Cayman that starts new from $52,600 in the US and from €51,385 in Germany for the base 275PS (271hp) model, is a whole lot of money, and it's what Italy's Studiotorino is asking for their new coachbuilt coupe named Moncenisio. 

Porsche Designers Try to Convince Us the Macan’s Styling Is Inspired by Race and Sports Cars

Porsche may be saying the Macan is the sports car of the compact SUV segment, but truth is, the car looks a lot like the Cayenne. Especially when viewed from the front and the sides, it’s hard to distinguish it from its bigger brother – and it looks like the confusion carries on when it comes to pricing, too.

The rear end is, in my view, where the Macan differs the most from the Cayenne, largely due to the elongated horizontal taillights. In this latest official video, however, Porsche mentions nothing about the Cayenne, saying the Macan’s design “combines the best of Porsche race cars and sports cars”.

Porsche designers talk about how the Macan features elements from the 911, 918 Spyder and even Porsche racecars. However, it only takes one look at the car to realize it’s a mini-Cayenne in terms of styling (the interior is no exception).

Scroll down to watch the video for yourself.

By Dan Mihalascu

VIDEO

Price Nudges Porsche 911 Turbo S into Range of Supercars, Chris Harris Tries it Against McLaren

The McLaren 12C is a pure-bred supercar, with only two seats, a better, simpler name than before and over 600 hp. The new Porsche 911 Turbo S is none of those things, and is heavier, all-wheel driven, less comfortable and slower.

However, Chris Harris thinks the two could be called rivals, at a stretch, especially if you option up your Porsche and/or get a discount on the McLaren; get an approved used one even cheaper is a third way.

He is so convinced that the two are rivals that he’s made a video trying to explain the point – it may just be an excuse to hoon some cars on both road and track, but as long as it’s both entertaining and informative in its own right, we’ll look the other way and not nitpick.

Conclusions are straightforward: driving the British car is more of an event, because it’s an actual supercar, plus I’d add my own input and say it’s far better looking than the bloated, almost bulbous-looking 991, a condition made worse by the extra widening of the Turbo.

It is dragged down by its uninspiring-sounding engine that reportedly exhibits noticeable turbo lag, and it’s not as practical as the purportedly four-seater Porsche, nor is it as upmarket-looking inside.

By Andrei Nedelea

VIDEO

Review of New Porsche Panamera 4S Puts New Force-Fed V6 to the Test

By now, you’ve probably seen many pieces dedicated to the Porsche Panamera, both in text and video form. They all rave about it being comfortable yet sporty, and sufficiently roomy in the back to make it a pleasant long-distance cruiser, even if it’s no match for the real luxury sedans, that in turn aren’t really a match for it in terms of the sporty stuff it trumps all the others on…

MotorTrend does have a fairly important mission to fulfill in their own latest video review of one of the most recent additions to the Panamera range, the new V6-powered all-wheel drive 4S; before, it had a naturally-aspirated V8 that by all accounts was a good performing and characterful engine. The new six-cylinder makes 416 PS or 410 hp, from a displacement of three liters, with the help of two turbochargers.

On paper, that puts it above the old unit in every single way, being both more powerful and offering more torque, while also posting better acceleration times and economy figures, as well.

However, the engine is found to be a bit flat-sounding and not responsive at low rpms, not really being in tune with the sporty Porsche character, being rated as a far less entertaining drive than before.

By Andrei Nedelea

VIDEO

Porsche Takes Fan for a Ride in the 911 5 Million Facebook Fan Car

Back in August, Porsche presented a unique 911 model built with input from its fans to mark its Facebook page reaching 5 million members. Now, Porsche has detailed that car in a new video and the process that led to its creation.

Built by Porsche Exclusive in Zuffenhausen, Germany, the car is right-hand drive, as will be used as a demo vehicle at the Porsche Experience Centre in Silverstone. So no, fan No. 5,000,000 won’t get it. However, one lucky winner from San Francisco, USA, was flown to the UK and had the chance to experience the car on track.

Based on the all-wheel drive 4S model, the milestone 911 gets a blue and white paint scheme, white 20-inch alloys, a lowered sports suspension and new exhaust, as well as subtle body treatment - bar the fixed rear spoiler. The interior features LED-backlit doorsills with the logo and special inscription which reads “Personally built by 5 Million Porsche fans”, as well as brushed aluminum trim.

By Dan Mihalascu

VIDEO

Porsche's Pricing Strategy Doesn't Make Any Sense: Base Cayenne $500 Cheaper than Macan!

Many readers had high expectations about the new Porsche Macan, and while at a first glance, the compact premium crossover does score points on several levels, it heavily disappoints on one: pricing. Actually, the funny thing is that, in the U.S., both versions of the Macan are more expensive than the respective models of the bigger Cayenne – from $500 to $5,700 more!

More specifically, the Macan starts at $49,900 (and not $50,895 as mentioned in a previous report) excluding a $1,195 destination and delivery charge that lifts the price to $51,095 for the base "S" model with a 3.0-liter bi-turbo V6 producing 335HP (340PS).

The base Cayenne, on the other hand, which sports a less-powerful, naturally aspirated 3.6-liter V6 with 300hp, starts at $49,600, or $300 less than the Macan S, while destination and delivery is also $200 less at $995, rising the difference to $500! Even if the Macan has 10+ percent more power, and possibly, but not surely, more kit, it still doesn't make sense since we are talking about a smaller model.

It's even worse when it comes to the Macan Turbo vs. the Cayenne S, as the smaller model with a 3.6-liter V6 biturbo rated at 394hp (400PS) starts at $72,300 (plus $1,195 delivery), while the bigger Cayenne S with a 394hp (400PS) 4.8-liter V8 begins from $66,800 (plus $995 delivery), increasing the difference to $5,500 or $5,700 if you take into consideration the D&H charge! Speaking of fees, it would be nice if someone from Porsche explained why they're charging an extra $200 for D&H for the smaller Macan.

Yes, Porsche will add a lower-cost, entry-level version to the Macan's range sometime in the future, but right now, we'd love to see Porsche salesmen try to explain the difference to prospect buyers…unless, of course, they're planning to increase the price of the Cayenne in the coming months…

PHOTO GALLERY

Porsche Debuts Macan, Calls It the Sports Car of Compact SUVs [74 Pics & Videos]

Following leaked photos and countless teasers, the Porsche has finally revealed official information about its newest model, the Macan SUV, which debuts today at both the LA Auto Show and Tokyo Motor Show.

Porsche’s first compact SUV will be available with three models at market launch - the Macan S, Macan S Diesel and Macan Turbo, all fitted as standard with all-wheel drive. The carmaker says the Macan is the sports car of the compact SUV segment, and performance specs seem to support that statement.

The Macan S is powered by a 335hp (340PS) 3.0-liter V6 biturbo engine mated to a seven-speed double-clutch transmission. The SUV sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds (5.2 seconds with the optional Sport Chrono package) and reaches a top speed of 254 km/h (158 mph). Average fuel consumption figures are between 9.0 l/100 km (26.1 mpg US) and 8.7 l/100 km (27 mpg US), corresponding to CO2 emissions of 212 and 204 g/km, respectively.

The Macan S Diesel (not offered in the States) is obviously the performer in terms of fuel economy, with its 255hp (258PS) 3.0-liter V6 turbo diesel returning between 6.3 l/100 km (37.3 mpg US) and 6.1 l/100 km (38.5 mpg US), with CO2 emissions rated at 164 and 159 g/km, respectively. Still, the model is worthy of the Porsche badge, covering the sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 6.3 seconds (6.1 seconds with the Sport Chrono package) and reaching a top speed of 230 km/h (143 mph).

The fastest model in the lineup is the Macan Turbo, powered by an all-new 3.6-liter V6 biturbo engine used for the first time on a Porsche. The unit produces 394hp (400PS), catapulting the Macan from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.8 seconds (4.6 seconds with the Sport Chrono package). Top speed is 266 km/h (165 mph), while average fuel economy figures are between 9.2 l/100 km (25.6 mpg US) and 8.9 l/100 km (26.4 mpg US). CO2 figures are 216 and 208 g/km, respectively.

Being an SUV, the Macan is offered as standard with an off-road mode, activated at the touch of a button in the center console at speeds between 0 and 80 km/h (50 mph). The function switches all the relevant systems to a traction-oriented off-road program. Furthermore, on models fitted with the optional air suspension (standard on the Macan Turbo), ground clearance can be increased by 40 mm (1.6in) for a maximum of 230 mm (9in).

There’s also a standard Sport button, which makes the engine even more responsive, shortens gear shifts and allows shifts at higher revs. In addition, the engine gets a racier sound and the air suspension offers a sportier feel.

Besides all-wheel drive and PDK, the Macan’s standard equipment includes a multi-function sport steering wheel with shift paddles, large wheels, high-performance audio system and an electrically operated tailgate, among others. Optional equipment includes the air suspension system, Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus) system, Porsche Dynamic Light System Plus (PDLS Plus) and many others.

The Macan S and Macan S Diesel are priced from €57,930 ($78,420) in Germany, while the Macan Turbo starts at €79,826 ($108,060). Deliveries begin on April 5, 2014.

In the U.S., prices start at $50,895 for the "S" model rising to $73,295 for the Turbo, excluding handling and delivery fees.

By Dan Mihalascu

PHOTO GALLERY

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