Porsche Regains Highest Ranking Spot in J.D. Power 2010 Initial Quality Study

Other Porsche Highlights Include Silver Plant Quality Award in Europe for plant that manufactures 911 and Boxster

 

ATLANTA, June 17, 2010 - Once again underscoring its reputation as a true premier automobile manufacturer, Porsche has reclaimed what is arguably the industry's most prestigious position/ranking as the highest-ranked nameplate in the J.D. Power and Associates 2010 Initial Quality Study (IQS).

 

This highest ranking represents the fourth time in five years that the Porsche brand has been ranked highest among IQS nameplates.

 

Of course a car's quality begins in the factory where it is built and in the highly regarded category of "Assembly Plant Quality Award", Porsche's acclaimed Stuttgart assembly plant- where the 911 is made---received the Silver plant quality award for Europe.

 

"Reclaiming the top spot among nameplates in the IQS ranking is not only gratifying for all of us at Porsche, it tangibly reflects our absolute commitment to providing our customers with the highest possible quality and ownership experience," said Detlev von Platen, president and CEO, Porsche Cars North America. "We take great pride in this award which is a demonstration of the very hard work of everyone in the Porsche organization, especially our highly-renowned designers and engineers and the people who build them. Of course it goes without saying that here in the U.S. our very devoted dealers deserve a lot of accolades as they interface with our customers on a daily basis."

 

The IQS serves as the industry benchmark for new-vehicle quality measured at 90 days of ownership. It captures problems experienced by owners in two distinct categories-quality of design and quality of production (defects and malfunctions). Results of the Study are presented using a problems-per-100 vehicles (PP100) metric, often referred to as "things gone wrong." The study includes quality comparisons by manufacturer, assembly plant, model, and platform.

 

Porsche averaged just 83 problems per 100 vehicles, well under the industry average of 109 problems per 100 vehicles. 

Porsche Panamera V6 models hit the showroom!

We just received our first two Panamera V6 models.  What great cars.  Here is the official press release from Poorsche:

The Summer Driving Season Kicks Off with Two New Porsche Panamera Models in Dealer Showrooms

Sharing the Porsche driving and luxury experience with more than one gets easier with the 2011 Panamera and Panamera 4 on sale in June   

 

ATLANTA - June 4, 2010 - Starting tomorrow the 2011 Panamera and Panamera 4 featuring the company's all-new, fuel efficient 300-horsepower V6 engine will begin arriving at Porsche's nearly 200 dealerships across America.

 

These new models come just eight months after the successful launch of the V8-powered Panamera S, Panamera 4S and Panamera Turbo. Since then, Porsche has sold more than 4,000 Panamera Gran Turismos to U.S. customers.

 

The new Panamera models feature an all-new, Porsche-designed 3.6-liter, 90-degree V6 engine with Direct Fuel Injection (DFI) that develops 300 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. Built on the same line as the normally aspirated and twin-turbocharged 4.8-liter V8 engines found in the Panamera S, 4S and Turbo, this new engine propels the Panamera and Panamera 4 from 0 to 60 mph in 6.0 and 5.8 seconds, respectively (5.8 and 5.6 seconds with the Sport Chrono Package Plus option). Top test track speeds are 160 and 159 mph, respectively.

 

As a whole, these new models provide high levels of performance, agility and comfort and the same safety systems found in the V8 Panameras, yet they return even better fuel economy figures than the already efficient Panamera S, 4S and Turbo. The Panamera achieves 18 mpg city/27 highway while the all-wheel-drive Panamera 4 delivers 18 mpg city/26 highway, numbers that are no doubt appealing to consumers who demand driving excitement and fuel efficiency.

 

The Panamera and Panamera 4 MSRPs are $74,400 and $78,900, excluding destination.

 

Porsche Intelligent Performance = no gas guzzler penalty

 

Like every Porsche, the Panamera and Panamera 4 were developed according to the Porsche Intelligent Performance philosophy -- more performance on less fuel, increased efficiency and lower CO₂ emissions. U.S. models come standard with the revolutionary 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 stop light.  Like all Porsches except the 911 GT3 and 911 GT3 RS, neither is subject to a gas-guzzler tax. And both meet the strict EU5 emission standard in Europe and the LEV standard in the United States.

 

Porsche has always focused on superior efficiency and performance, and in the case of these new Panamera models these long-held tenets are not mutually exclusive. One example is consistent lightweight construction with the axles, doors, hood, front fenders and tailgate all made of aluminum. Likewise, the Porsche V6 is about 66 lbs. lighter than the V8, which contributes to the low overall curb weight of just 3,880 lbs. (1,730 kg) for the Panamera with the PDK transmission.

 

Like the proven V8 models, both the Panamera and the Panamera 4, as genuine Gran Turismos, combine a sporting character with a high standard of comfort and everyday driving qualities. Steel suspension is standard, and variable dampers and adaptive air suspension with additional air volume on demand are optional. This provides a wide range of suspension qualities and features, with a high level of motoring comfort on the one hand and extremely sporting driving dynamics on the other. Other standard equipment includes an electric moonroof and power liftgate, the Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system with navigation, Bi-Xenon^TM headlights, Bluetooth^® telephone connectivity, and the universal audio interface to connect an external audio source such as an iPod or a USB stick with the PCM system.

 

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.