The Supervisory Board of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG decided only a few weeks ago to put this high performance, mid-engined sports car into production. The innovative plug-in hybrid drive of the Porsche 918 Spyder produces the on-the-road performance of a purebred super sports race car, but with maximum efficiency and minimum emissions at the same time.

Source: Porsche Press Release
Photo Courtesy PCNA

Vorsteiner has released V-RT series aerodynamic & performance enhancements for the 911 Turbo.  The core focus of the V-RT series is to maximize performance by optimizing the power to weight ratio of the vehicle. This achievement is made possible by producing our aerodynamic line with state of the art dry carbon fiber vacuum technology. This technology enables Vorsteiner Carbon Fiber products to exhibit higher stiffness and strength compared to other steel and aluminum components while simultaneously reducing weight up to 40%.

V-RT Carbon Fiber Aerodynamics
The V-RT front end features a newly redesigned front bumper cover that is constructed out of carbon fiber composite (CFRP). The front bumper exhibits a performance focus with the new sporty add-on carbon fiber chin spoiler and larger duct openings to feed air into the front radiators, along with the elimination of the fog lights for improved visual styling and weight reduction. The Vorsteiner Rear Bumper and Decklid of the 911 Turbo meet the demand for performance and visual design.

The rear of the V-RT continues the same sport performance motif as the front bumper with the use of lighter carbon fiber material construction throughout the body components. The carbon fiber decklid and carbon fiber wing blade increases rear end down force, which improves handling.

To complete the light weight aerodynamic package, a replacement carbon fiber roof panel was produced which significantly improves the handling around the track while removing 55 lbs from the highest point of the vehicle

Reducing Rotational Inertia
A key component to improving acceleration, braking, and power to weight ratio are the wheels and tires you choose for your vehicle. For this reason we have coupled our lightweight carbon fiber aerodynamics with our forged 1-piece monoblock aluminum wheels and high performance Michelin PS2 sport tires.

The 1-piece and 3-piece forged wheels for Porsche 911 have a new exclusive center locking option that enables faster wheel changes and improved road performance.

For more information please visit: www.vorsteiner.com/VRT

Since August 16, 2010, Andreas Schwarz (40) has been in charge of the emotional GEMBALLA brand. Schwarz reserved the rights of the old company that had already been broken up by liquidators and shut down, and founded a new company, GEMBALLA GmbH. The company headquarters are located at Mollenbachstraße 17 in Leonberg.

“With a totally new company and an investment of millions, we are now looking towards a secure future”, says managing director (CEO) Andreas Schwarz. The educated Swabian is a sports car expert, who has many years’ experience in upgrading and marketing luxury high-class automobiles. Together with investor Steffen Korbach, the new creator of GEMBALLA cars has made cost-efficient plans.

“As well as the rights to the name, we’ve also purchased some assets and are starting off with 22 employees”, Schwarz continues. “We plan to continue the GEMBALLA design line following the old models. We’re already working on various concepts for the Porsche Panamera and the new Porsche Cayenne among others.”

The main goal: to expand and develop the GEMBALLA brand as a manufacturer. Without facing too much time pressure. Currently, Andreas Schwarz is making plans in motor tuning and the marketing of parts such as bodykits, rims, brakes and suspension systems.

“We’ve got enormous potential in this area that can be taken advantage of – the recognition of the GEMBALLA name with its near 30-year tradition really helps”, says Andreas Schwarz.

That is why we will see automobile creations from GEMBALLA in the future – with a breath of fresh air for the brand and reliable business under the GEMBALLA name. The showroom in Leonberg is now open for customers and all interested parties.

Source: Gemballa Press Release

1972-73 Porsche 917 Interserie Spyder née 1970 Gulf-JWA Le Mans 917K Coupe

San Francisco, CA – August 19, 2010 – Bonhams & Butterfields celebrated the thirteenth anniversary of its renowned motorcar auction at the sunny Quail Lodge in Carmel Valley with resounding success. Comprising a very diverse and newsworthy selection of 102 cars – of which 77 sold (a 74% sell rate). The auction represented three major collections headlined by the Michael Amalfitano collection of competition cars, which blew through all pre-sale expectations and set the tone for a buoyant two-day sale.

A world record for any Porsche sold at auction was achieved with the ex-Jurgen Neuhaus/Jurgen Barth 1972-73 European Interserie and David Hobbs/Mike Hailwood Gulf-JW Automotive team 1972-73 Porsche 917 Interserie Spyder neé 1970 Gulf-JWA Le Mans 917K Coupe realizing $3,965,000. (Chassis no. 917 026 (until Le Mans 1970)/917 031)

Many other strong prices were attained for the rarest and freshest offerings, which included the ex-works, Gerhard Mitter/Lucien Bianchi Nurburgring 1000 kms-leading 1967 Porsche 910 Endurance Racing Works Coupe that sold for $797,000.
( Chassis no. 910-026 )

Ex-Works, Gerhard Mitter/Lucien Bianchi 1967 2-liter Porsche Typ 910 Endurance Racing Works Coupe

“We are very honored to have been selected to offer these incredible motorcars at auction,” says Mark Osborne, head of Bonhams’ Motoring Department. “We are very pleased with the results and the satisfaction of having met or exceeded the expectations of our discerning and growing clientele.”

Source: Bonhams Press Release

Photo Courtesy Bonhams

The Panamera Turbo Powerkit features two new turbochargers with titanium aluminum turbines, and engine management has been adapted to provide a further improvement in engine response. Maximum torque rises to 750 Nm (compared to 700 Nm in the standard production Panamera Turbo). If in Sport Plus mode, which is included in the Sport Chrono Turbo Package that is part of the Panamera Turbo Powerkit, torque rises to 800 Nm. This is an increase of 30 Nm over the standard Panamera Turbo fitted with the optional Sport Chrono Turbo Package and in Sport Plus mode.

In Sport Plus mode, the Panamera Turbo accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) in 3.9 sec – 0.1 sec faster than the production car. Top test track speed is 305 km/h compared with 303 km/h (188 mph) in the standard Panamera Turbo. In line with Porsche Intelligent Performance – more power with less fuel and less emissions – a Panamera Turbo with the Powerkit consumes no more fuel than the 500-horsepower production model. The official EPA fuel economy figures for the Panamera Turbo are 15 mpg city and 23 highway, and like its Panamera siblings the Panamera Turbo is not subject to the gas guzzler tax.

As a Porsche Exclusive option, the Powerkit is available next month for $21,730. Porsche Tequipment will offer the Powerkit as a retrofit upgrade beginning in November 2010.

Porsche also offers its Panamera customers its new Sport Design Package that includes a unique, exterior color painted front fascia with widened black air intake grilles. Other components include separate side skirts and the standard, exterior color rear underbody apron with diffuser and fins. Available in October 2010 as a Porsche Exclusive option or a Porsche Tequipment retrofit upgrade, the Sport Design Package is $4,590. On request, side skirts are available separately for $1,390.

Porsche also now offers the new 20-inch Panamera Sport wheels. The light alloy multi-spoke wheel is 9.5 inches wide on the front axle and 11.5 inches on the rear axle. They are available from Porsche Exclusive in GT silver metallic, black, or in the exterior car color. They also will be available from Porsche Tequipment in GT silver metallic and black.

The Panamera Turbo Powerkit is only available on the Panamera Turbo. The Sport Design Package and the Panamera Sport Wheels are available on all Porsche Panamera models (Panamera, Panamera 4, Panamera S, Panamera 4S and Panamera Turbo). Pricing varies by model.

Since its U.S. introduction in October 2009, the Panamera has received numerous awards and recognition. The Panamera Turbo was named Playboy Magazine’s 2010 Car of the Year. Others include an Edmunds Inside Line Editors’ Most Wanted Award, inclusion in Edmunds.com’s Top Recommended Vehicles list, two Car and Driver Editors Choice Awards (Sports Sedans and Luxury Sedans), inclusion in kbb.com’s list of 2010 Top 10 Road Trip Cars, Bloomberg Car of the Year, the Most Inspired Design award in Ward’s Auto Interior of the Year competition, About.com Cars Best New Cars of 2010, and NADAguides.com’s Car of the Month for January 2010.

Source: Porsche Press Release

Photos Courtesy PCNA

After being shipped over from Germany by plane, engineers handed the keys of the new 918 Spyder Hybrid to Porsche AG Design Chief Michael Mauer. The car drove under its own power which comes from the mid mounted 3.4 liter V8 out of the RS Spyder as well as in all electric mode which powers just the front wheels.

The 918 Spyder prototype combines high-tech racing features and electro-mobility to offer a fascinating range of qualities: An emission level of just 70 grams CO2 per kilometre on fuel consumption of three litres/100 kilometres (equal to 94 mpg imp) truly outstanding even for an ultra-compact city car, on the one hand, combined with the performance of a super sports car and acceleration from a standstill to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just under 3.2 seconds, top speed of 320 km/h (198 mph) plus, and a lap time on the Nordschleife of Nürburgring in less than 7:30 minutes, faster than even the Porsche Carrera GT, on the other.
Source: tangentvector

Atlanta – August 13, 2010 – The joy of driving a classic Porsche is a sufficient reward for most enthusiasts, but owning the oldest Porsches in America could bring some very real awards during the company’s 60th Anniversary year in the United States. To celebrate six decades of American Porsche passion, on Aug. 13 Porsche Cars North America (PCNA) is launching the My Classic Porsche Search. This national search will focus on finding the oldest Porsches in 12 distinctive model categories, as well as the very oldest Porsche of all.

As part of its 60th Anniversary celebration, Porsche is inviting owners to introduce these most senior members of the Porsche family to everyone in America. My Classic Porsche Search is open to all owners who think they have a shot at earning the “oldest” designation for their car. Entries can be submitted for 12 model ranges, including the Porsche 356, 911, 912, 914, 924, 928, 944, 968, Boxster, Cayenne, Carrera GT and Cayman. In addition, the search is on for the Grossvater of all Porsches on American soil, the oldest Porsche ever sold in the United States.

Owners who have Porsches “with papers” can enter online beginning Aug. 13. To submit an entry, visit www.Porsche60Years.com and review the participation guidelines for My Classic Porsche Search.

The oldest Porsches and their owners will receive special recognition and become eligible for additional awards, including an exclusive badge from the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart. Exhibition-quality images of select winning models will also be featured at the new “Sixty Years of Porsche in America” exhibit, opening Oct. 12 at the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart, Germany. One vehicle may also be selected for display at the Porsche stand during this year’s Los Angeles Auto Show, where it will join the company’s newest models.

All entries will be evaluated for authenticity by a Porsche panel of experts, including noted American Porsche historians from the Porsche Club of America.

In addition to the My Classic Porsche Search, Porsche is unveiling a national My Porsche Passion Contest on Aug. 24. Porsche aficionados will have the opportunity to write and upload a 500-words-or-less story that exemplifies their unique passion for a specific Porsche car, an experience or the brand as a whole. The essay contest will be open to entries until Nov. 1, with 20 winning stories selected by a special panel of Porsche judges. Fans will then vote online for their favorites from the list of 20 finalists. The three entries with the most votes will win an all-expense-paid trip the Porsche Sport Driving School in Birmingham, Ala.

Source: PRNEWSWIRE

The electric mode stays unaffected by the power enhancement. The speedHYBRID can be driven in the Zero-Emission-Mode as economical and as efficient as the original Cayenne Hybrid. Of course the function of the Sport- and the E-Power-Button stays the same, only that, when needed 70 hp more power for a sporty drive are available.

 For the new Cayenne Hybrid, SpeedArt offers a sport exhaust with sound switch and 2×100 mm tail pipes. This highlights the sportive sound of the V6 and the power enhancement gets acoustically underlined. In combination with the sporty driving performance a set of 22“wheels, type LSC-Forged are mounted. This forged and weight optimized modular 3-piece wheel set is available for the front axle with 9.5×22“ and 275/30 ZR22“ tires and for the rear with 11×22“ and 315/30 ZR22“. The painting of the centre star can be individually chosen by the customer. Due to the special forging technology the weight of the LSC wheels is on the same level as the weight of a cast 21“ wheel, so that there is no higher consumption caused by the bigger wheels.

Further information on the speedArt Tuning-program can de found at www.speedART.de

The annual gathering of automotive aficionados during the August 9 – 15 Monterey Peninsula Automotive Week is also a fitting venue to celebrate the company’s 60th anniversary year in America. In addition to introducing its new portfolio of hybrid cars, Porsche will be unveiling a new web site to go live next week that will feature contests, videos, stories and images, all celebrating the cars and people that put Porsche on the United States map six decades ago.

“Automotive passion is always alive and thriving within the Porsche community, but it’s particularly heated at this extraordinary event,” said Detlev von Platen, President and CEO, Porsche Cars North America. “Where else can you see the evolution of Porsche in America so magnificently displayed, from early sports cars like our 356 through our newest intelligence performance powerhouse, the 918 Spyder?”

Among the Porsche models on display throughout the Monterey peninsula, the first North American public appearance of the 918 Spyder concept at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on Sunday, August 15 will be a highlight. Just recently approved for production, the fuel-sipping, ultra-high- performance super sports car has already been pre-ordered by over 1000 enthusiasts.

With the potential of recording 78 mpg, the 918 Spyder is an impressive showcase of Porsche’s Intelligent Performance philosophy, but it’s not alone in getting performance enthusiasts to “think green.” Motorsports fans will have the opportunity to check out the Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid August 12 – 15. The race car will be based at the Porsche Zentrum, a specially-built facility open to visitors located up Peter Hayes Hill on the compounds of the Pebble Beach Lodge. Attendees will also have a unique opportunity to see the car and chat with Porsche Works racer Patrick Long at “The Quail, A Motorsport Gathering” from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m on Friday, August 12. On Saturday, the 911 GT3 R Hybrid will be showcased at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion (formerly the Monterey Historic Automobile Races) at the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, and then alongside the 918 Spyder at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on Sunday.

The Quail Lodge will also be the place to see some of the world’s finest Porsche classics. Four rare automobiles from the Porsche Museum in Germany are en route to Monterey. Visitors will be able to
enjoy the beautiful lines of a 1955 and 1958 356 Speedster, a 1960 356 B Carrera 2000 GS Carrera GT and a 1962 356 Carrera 2 Cabrio. Newer Porsche siblings are also on display, including new and latest models available for consumer test drives.

Source: Porsche Press Release
Photos Courstey Porsche Cars, NA

Just short of one year after Porsche began selling its all-new sports car for four, the 25,000th Panamera rolls off the line.

The anniversary vehicle, a Ruby Red Panamera sporting an efficient Porsche designed and manufactured 300-horsepower 3.6-liter six-cylinder engine, will be delivered to a customer in the USA. “The benchmark performance of our Panamera V6 models wins over our customers worldwide,” said Bernhard Maier, Porsche’s Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing. “Even in the USA, a country with a preference for V8 engines, they impress with their efficiency and sportiness. The Panamera combines these aspects with the comfort and exclusivity of the luxury class.”

Porsche began selling the Panamera in September 2009 (October in North America). The company first rolled out its 400-horsepower V8 Panamera S and Panamera 4S and the 500-horsepower twin-turbocharged Panamera Turbo, adding the V6-powered Panamera and Panamera 4 in May/June 2010. To date U.S. Porsche dealers have sold over 5,000 Panamera models in the United States.

In line with the Porsche Intelligent Performance philosophy — more performance on less fuel, increased efficiency and lower CO2 emissions — all models feature the Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) seven-speed double-clutch gearbox and the Auto Start Stop function that saves fuel and reduces emissions by turning the engine off when it is not needed, such as sitting at a traffic light. None are subject to a gas-guzzler tax, and all meet the strict EU5 emission standard in Europe and the LEV standard in the United States.

Next year Porsche will introduce a Panamera model featuring a hybrid drive system similar to what powers the 2011 Cayenne S Hybrid, which goes on sale this fall. Porsche’s future also shines with yesterday’s announcement to commence series development of the 918 Spyder, Porsche first plug-in hybrid super sports car.

Since its U.S. introduction in October 2009, the Panamera has received numerous awards and recognition. The Panamera Turbo was named Playboy Magazine’s 2010 Car of the Year. Others include an Edmunds Inside Line Editors’ Most Wanted Award, inclusion in Edmunds.com’s Top Recommended Vehicles list, two Car and Driver Editors Choice Awards (Sports Sedans and Luxury Sedans), inclusion in kbb.com’s list of 2010 Top 10 Road Trip Cars, Bloomberg Car of the Year, the Most Inspired Design award in Ward’s Auto Interior of the Year competition, About.com Cars Best New Cars of 2010, and NADAguides.com’s Car of the Month for January 2010.

Source: Porsche Press Release
Photo Courtesy Porsche Cars, NA