New Porsche Macan SUV Unveiling Tonight

The unveiling of the new Porsche Macan.

The automotive world is eagerly awaiting the première of the new Porsche Macan at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The new Porsche model line will be unveiled on November 20, 2013.

The Los Angeles Auto Show is one of the most important motor shows worldwide. Porsche has already presented a number of new models there – most recently the new Porsche Cayman in 2012. The presentation of a new model line this year will be a particular highlight during the show.

Watch today's unveiling of the new Macan from the L.A. Auto Show. Live streaming starts at 07:55 pm (PST)

http://www.porsche.com/microsite/macan/usa.aspx

Panamera Wins Edmunds.com’s 2013 Best Retained Value Award

Announced last week in Santa Monica, Calif, the Porsche Panamera won the Edmunds.com’s third annual Best Retained Value Awards for the Panamera model in the “Sedan Over $40K” category. The awards, which recognize the brands and new car models that have the highest projected residual values after five years based on their average True Market Value^® (TMV^®) price when sold new. The Panamera took the top honor in its class with a projected 43.6% residual value after five years.
All vehicle makes with more than 100,000 unit sales in the U.S. in 2012 were eligible for this year's brand-level Best Retained Value Awards. All model-year 2013 vehicles that were launched by the end of 2012 and had unit sales in March 2013 that were at least 20 percent of the average unit sales for the models in its segment were eligible for this year's model-level Best Retained Value Awards. Edmunds determined each model's competitive segment based on its body type and the sales-weighted average MSRP of all available styles (excluding destination charges) of that model's body type.
More details on Edmunds.com’s Best Retained Value® Awards can be found at http://www.edmunds.com/car-reviews/best-retained-value-cars.html

Porsche Celebrates 50 Years of the Iconic 911

The most legendary and recognizable sports car the world has ever known has turned 50.  As it gets older, it just keeps getting better and better with every generation and model change.  Porsche has made a really cool micro-site to celebrate the 50th birthday of our halo car.  There is a lot of very interesting information on the history of the 911, including the different generations of the series.  You can visit it by following this link.

Porsche Debuts Fifth Generation of the 911 GT3

Porsche just announced the new, 991 generation 911 GT3.  And we can't wait to have it here!  Check out the press release below:

Atlanta. The new Porsche 911 GT3 premieres this week at the Geneva International Motor Show. The completely-redeveloped fifth generation of the 911 GT3 occupies the top position among Porsche sports cars with naturally-aspirated engines. With an impressive lap time on the Nürburgring Nordschleife of under 7:30 minutes, the 2014 911 GT3 benefits from a new engine, transmission, body and chassis. The car now sprints from zero to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds on its way to a top track speed of 195 mph. The 2014 911 GT3 will go on sale in the United States late in 2013 and will be priced from $130,400, not including a $950 destination charge.

As a technical highlight, the 911 GT3 features the first active rear-wheel steering in a production Porsche, as well as optional full LED headlights. The new GT3 brings to everyday driving many of the properties of a sports car developed on the track, and preserves the highly emotional fun factor.

The powertrain of the new 911 GT3 is composed of a 3.8-liter boxer engine yielding 475 hp (125 hp/liter) featuring a 9,000 rpm redline and a specially developed Porsche dual-clutch transmission (PDK) which drives the rear wheels. The six-cylinder engine is based on the same engine as the 911 Carrera S, although they share only a few common parts. All other components, particularly the crankshaft and valve gear, were specially adapted or designed for the GT3. For instance, Porsche designed titanium connecting rods and forged pistons for this engine.

The Porsche dual-clutch transmission in this application has been specially developed for the 911 GT3: the characteristics are based directly on a sequential gearbox from racing, thereby providing further performance and dynamic advantages to the driver. Highlights include shorter gear ratios with closer spacing, even faster shifting, and shift paddles with shorter travel and increased tactile feedback, which now allow the driver to place the PDK in neutral simply by pulling on both paddles at the same time.

For the first time, Porsche is employing active rear wheel steering to achieve even higher steering precision and improved lateral dynamics. Depending on the speed, the rear wheels steer in the same or opposite direction of the front wheels, improving stability and agility. Other new features that improve driving dynamics are an electronically controlled, fully variable rear differential lock and dynamic engine mounts. Contact with the road is made by new 20-inch, forged alloy wheels with center-locking hubs in place of conventional wheel bolts

The 2014 911 GT3 is based on the light, yet stiff body of the current generation 911 Carrera, which employs a hybrid steel and aluminum construction; however, it comes with unique front and rear parts specific to the GT3. In addition, the 911 GT3 is 1.7 inches wider than a 911 Carrera S in the rear. Another distinctive feature is the large, fixed rear wing, which contributes to the exemplary aerodynamics.

By combining low air resistance with even more power, the 2014 911 GT3 sets new performance standards. At full acceleration from standstill, the 60 mph mark is reached after just 3.3 seconds, and on the track 124 mph is reached in less than twelve seconds.

Porsche 911 Generations Compared

Ever wanted to compare the different generations of the iconic Porsche 911?  Here you go...

Years: 1965–1989
Wheelbase: 87.0 in (1965–1968); 89.3 in (1968–1989)
Overall length: 168.9 in
Power: 130 hp (1965); 214 hp (1989)
Price: $6490 (1965); $51,770 (1988)
Weight, as tested: 2720 lb (1965); 2760 lb (1984)
Zero to 60 mph, as tested: 7.0 sec (April 1965); 5.3 sec (February 1984, Carrera)

Years: 1990–1994
Wheelbase: 89.4 in
Overall length: 168.3 in
Power: 247 hp (1990–1994)
Price: $58,500 (1990); $65,715 (1994)
Weight, as tested: 3050 lb (1990); 2980 lb (1993 Speedster)
Zero to 60 mph, as tested: 4.8 sec (January 1990); 4.6 sec (November 1992, 911RS America)

Years: 1995–1998
Wheelbase: 89.4 in
Overall length: 168.3 in (1995–1996); 167.7 in (1997–1998)
Power: 270 hp (1995); 282 hp (1998)
Price: $63,433 (1995); $63,750 (1998)
Weight, as tested: 3080 lb (1995); 3116 lb (1998 Carrera S)
Zero to 60 mph, as tested: 4.7 sec (June 1994); 4.9 sec (September 1997, Carrera S)

Years: 1999–2004
Wheelbase: 92.5 in
Overall length: 174.4 in
Power: 300 hp (1999); 315 hp (2004)
Price: $65,030 (1999); $68,760 (2004)
Weight, as tested: 2900 lb (1999)
Zero to 60 mph, as tested: 4.7 sec (January 1998); 5.5 sec (July 2001, Carrera cabriolet Tiptronic S)

Years: 2005–2011
Wheelbase: 92.5 in
Overall length: 175.6 in
Power: 321 hp (2005); 345 hp (2011)
Price: $70,065 (2005); $79,950 (2011)
Weight, as tested: 3253 lb (2005); 3320 lb (2009)
Zero to 60 mph, as tested: 4.3 sec (December 2005); 4.1 sec (February 2009, Carrera PDK)

Years: 2012–
Wheelbase: 96.5 in
Overall length: 176.8 in
Power: 350 hp
Price (C/D est): $83,050
Weight (C/D est): 3250–3350 lb
Zero to 60 mph (C/D est): 3.8–4.0 sec

Credit goes to Car and Driver Magazine Online.  You can click here for a link to the original article and more detailed descriptions.

Porsche Boxster Selected as Best "Sports Car" for 2013

You would think by now we'd be used to getting this kind of news about Porsche Sports Cars and SUVs but it's always nice to know the accolades keep on coming.  Now Motoring 2013, a Canadian Automotive TV show has recognized the Boxster as the "Best Sports Car" for 2013.  You can read the press release below the picture.

Mississauga. The all-new Boxster continues to draw positive reviews from the media all around the world. The latest nod comes from Motoring 2013, the established Canadian automotive television show, which named the Boxster best “Sports Car”.

“It is with great pleasure that we accept this award given to the all-new Boxster by Motoring 2013,” said Joe Lawrence, President & CEO of Porsche Cars Canada, Ltd., “We are delighted that the Boxster was recognized as the top choice in its segment. This latest generation of our mid-engine, flat-six roadster is faster, more efficient, more stylish, and more fun to drive than ever.”

Completely redesigned for 2013, the Boxster range is powered by a more powerful and efficient duo of mid-mounted horizontally opposed six cylinder engines. The Boxster’s 2.7-litre unit produces 265 hp while the Boxster S offers a 3.4-litre version generating 315 hp. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h can be completed in as little as 5 seconds. Fuel consumption is as low as 6.2 l/ per 100 km on the highway, making the latest Boxster the most fuel efficient passenger vehicle ever offered by Porsche in Canada. Pricing begins at $56,500.

A well-respected Canadian automotive television program – and the longest-running of its kind – Motoring 2013 recognizes the best vehicles in each segment every year.

Porsche Showcases New Aha™ Integration at CES

For years, Porsche focused only on building the best driving sports cars in the industry and left many drivers wanting more technologically advanced entertainment options.  We didn't get bluetooth until 2009 and I don't think they even knew what an iPod was until around then.  Now we have one of the most advanced touch screen navigation systems with an incredible satellite radio integration.  We have A2DP streaming for bluetooth audio devices, full iPod integration, USB drive, 40gig hard drives and much more.  Our cars are becoming as much fun to sit in a parking lot listening to music as they are to drive.  And there is nothing wrong with that.  Personally, I'd still rather just turn the radio off and listen to the sport exhaust but I do enjoy streaming via bluetooth from my iTunes library or Pandora while going for a "spirited" drive through PCH or Mulholland.

This week, Porsche announced integration with the Aha system.  I have not yet had a chance to try it but I'm sure it will be as great as it seems.  Below the photo you can read Porsche's official pres release.

Las Vegas. Porsche now offers Aha™ as part of a new Online Services option, available across its entire product line. Aha is a free service that seamlessly organizes and integrates your favorite content from the web between your phone and car, so you can easily access it wherever you go, including in your Porsche. The new feature is available on vehicles equipped with the latest generation of the Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system, which offers a variety of additional entertainment, navigation and information options.

The Aha experience starts with a customer using their Apple iOS or Android device to download the free Aha Radio app. The app allows customers to easily access and organize their favorite content from the web into personalized “radio”-like stations. This content can then be easily and seamlessly enjoyed inside their Porsche though the same PCM interface used to control other typical entertainment and navigation functions.

Aha™ offers the following content options:
• On-demand music services, entertainment, news, sports, internet radio, podcasts and audiobooks
• More than 30,000 stations, with new content added all the time
• Read aloud access to social network feeds, including Facebook™ and Twitter™
• Traffic and weather reports
• Personalized restaurant recommendations
• Google POI search

With the Google POI feature, the results of an online point-of-interest search can be used as a navigation destination, and input directly into the PCM at the press of a button.

Production of vehicles equipped with the Online Services option has already begun. The feature is available across the Porsche lineup in the United States as a standalone option on vehicles equipped with PCM for $210.

A Porsche Cayenne GTS equipped with Online Services and Aha will be available for demonstrations to media at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas from January 8-11, 2013 at the Aha by Harman tent at the Central Plaza (# CP-13) at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

If you have any questions or would like to check this out in person when it's available, feel free to contact me.

2012 not End of the World, Best Year Ever for Porsche

With all the hype about the world coming to an end in 2012, that year became a different milestone for Porsche, it was their best year ever.  Porsche A.G. and Porsche Cars North America both substantially increased sales in 2012 over 2011 and outsold every year in their history.  Porsche's official press release is below:

Porsche Reports Best-Ever Sales in 2012; 21 percent increase over 2011

Record global and U.S. sales fueled by Cayenne, 911 models

Atlanta. Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (PCNA), importer and distributor of Porsche sports cars, Cayenne SUVs and the Panamera four-door sports sedan line-up in the United States, today announced it has achieved an all-time record for U.S. sales, with 35,043 cars sold in the U.S. in 2012.  This compares to 29,023 cars sold in the U.S. in 2011, an increase of 21 percent. The previous record year for Porsche in the U.S. was 2007 when PCNA sold 34,693 cars.  For December, PCNA sold 2,952 cars, an increase of 61 percent.
While final figures for Porsche AG global sales are not yet available, the company already surpassed its previous record of 118,868 in November, after selling 128,978 new vehicles to customers around the world by the end of that month.
Strong demand for the new 911 Carrera and Carrera S Coupe and Cabriolet models, which went on sale 2012, contributed to the successful year.  PCNA sold 8,528 911s in 2012, compared to 6,016 in 2011, an increase of 42 percent.  In 2013, Porsche will continue to roll out additional new models of the 7th generation 911, including the new Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S, which go on sale this month and will be joined in March by the new Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S Cabriolet.
Cayenne sales also continued to be extremely strong, heading into the fifth year for the Cayenne model line.  Porsche sold 15,545 Cayenne SUVs in 2012 compared to 12,978 in 2011, an increase of 20 percent.  Ten percent of the Cayenne models sold in 2012 were Diesel models, even though it just went on sale in September.  The Cayenne continues to be a cornerstone of the Porsche lineup; in addition to the Diesel and GTS models added in 2012, the lineup will continue to grow in 2013 with the addition of the range-topping Turbo S, which will be shown for the first time at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit on January 14, 2013 and will go on sale this Spring.
Certified Pre-Owned Sales finished 2012 at 9,512 units, up 14 percent over 2011.  The Porsche Certified Pre-Owned program continues to offer the opportunity for customers to experience a Porsche at many different price points.
“2012 was truly a momentous year for Porsche in the U.S.,” said Detlev von Platen, President and CEO, Porsche Cars North America. “Not only did we launch the all-new, seventh-generation 911, the completely redesigned Boxster and our first diesel model, we set records in nearly all aspects of our business, achieving top-tier results in many high-ranking industry quality and customer satisfaction studies while growing our share in the luxury market. Given that we achieved this with only a half-year of sales of the new Boxster and without any Cayman production, we are optimistic about the prospect of another successful year in 2013.  We hope to solidify our position as the world’s strongest Porsche market and we look forward to the introduction of several new products in 2013, including the Cayenne Turbo S and Cayman this spring.”