Porsche USA has just released the online configurator for the 2012 911 Carrera and we only have one gripe with the whole choices. There are about 3 special colors that we think shouldn’t even exist – they include the GT Silver Metallic, Cognac Metallic and Lime Gold Metallic – those colors are almost so ugly that we can’t even show them here at egmCarTech.

Click here to build your own 2012 Porsche 911.

Refresher: Power for the 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera comes from a new 3.4 liter boxer inline 6-cylinder making 350-hp. The 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S is powered by a 3.8 liter boxer making 400-hp. Mated to a Porsche’s PDK 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, the 911 Carrera runs from 0 to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds and 4.2 seconds with the optional Sport Chrono Package’s Launch Control function. The 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S with a PDK goes from 0 to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds and 3.9 seconds with the Launch Control function of the optional Sport Chrono Package. Top speed for the 911 Carrera S and 911 Carrera comes in at 188 mph and 179 mph, respectively. Prices start $82,100 for the 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera and $96,400 for the 2012 911 Carrera S.

Source: egmCarTech

After all the waiting, rumors and reports, Porsche today announced that it has officially given the green light to the series development of the Porsche 918 Spyder.

“Reflecting the overwhelming response from the public and customers to the Concept Study, the Supervisory Board gave Porsche’s board of Management the mission to develop a production model based on the car already presented,” Porsche said in a statement.

“Production of the 918 Spyder in a limited series proves that we are taking the right approach with Porsche Intelligent Performance featuring the combination of supreme performance and efficient drivetrain concepts,” said Michael Macht, President and Chairman of the Board of Management of Porsche AG. “We will develop the 918 Spyder in Weissach and assemble it in Zuffenhausen. This is also a very important commitment to Germany as a manufacturing base.”

Prices of the production model are expected to start around 500,000 euros ($630,000 USD).

Refresher: Power for the Porsche 918 Spyder Concept comes from a 3.4L mid-mounted V8 making 500-hp. The engine is mated to two electric-motors sitting on the front and rear axle with an additional output of 218-hp. Power is driven to the wheels by Porsche’s 7-speed Doppelkupplungsgetriebe PDK transmission, allowing the 918 Spyder Concept to go from 0-62 mph in 3.2 seconds with a top speed of 198 mph. Drivers are allowed to choose from four different driving modes including E-Drive, Hybrid, Sport Hybrid and Race Hybrid. The E-Drive mode lets the 918 Spyder concept run on pure electricity with a range of 16 miles.

Source: EgmCarTech

A little more than a year ago, the Porsche tuning specialist at Ruf unveiled their first electric car, the 911-based eRuf. That first iteration was definitely not ready for production, but the crew at Ruf are not known for taking half measures. A few months after the eRuf was shown to the world, the second iteration with more power and lighter batteries appeared as the Greenster at the Geneva Motor Show. Ruf has said it plans to build that car in limited numbers.

The 911 is pretty small, and as a result, packaging enough batteries to get a useful range is not a trivial matter. The latest eRuf variant is the Stormster, a plug-in electric Cayenne, so finding room for the cells doesn’t figure to be as problematic. The Stormster is uses the same 270 kW Siemens motor that was in the Greenster along with Li-Tec lithium ion batteries. We don’t yet know how many examples they hope to build, where they hope to sell it, or how much it will cost. Critically, we also don’t know how far it will go on a charge. The note we got from Ruf does say it will be available in the standard Cayenne body or the special wide-body that Ruf produces, the “Stormster grün.” Either way, you can check it out in our high-res gallery below and analyze the press release after the jump.

PRESS RELEASE:

RUF introduces the first SUV with electric powertrain.

RUF Automobile GmbH, located in the small Bavarian town of Pfaffenhausen, the manufacturer of high performance automobiles, introduced the first electric sports car (eRUF) from Germany in October 2008.

During the Geneva Motor Show, in March 2009, RUF presented an evolution of the first eRUF, widely known as “Greenster”.

The eRUF family continues to grow with the unveiling of the “Stormster”, the very first electrically driven SUV based on the Porsche Cayenne.

The Stormster is driven by a Siemens electric motor, with 270 kW (367 bhp) as in the eRUF sports car. The total weight is 2,670 kg which makes it capable of reaching 100 km/h in only 10 seconds. The top speed is 150 km/h, being able to reach a range of 200 km at one charge.

The lithium ion accumulators are supplied by Li-Tec Battery GmbH. Li-Tec is the first manufacturer of lithium ion battery cells in Europe, designed for the automobile industry using ceramic storage technology.

Hankook developed the winter tires for the all wheel drive Stormster which is fitted to RUF classic 5 spoke lightweight wheels. Tires of size 295/30 R 22 allow the best possible road grip.

The Stormster will have its first public debut during the European Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, (COP 15), Denmark from December 7th to 18th.

Source Autoblog

2010 Porshe 911 special edition is released:

So you take your first look at the 2009 Porsche 911 Carrera and you feel that it’s not that much different from the 2008, or even the 2007 model. Whereas other automakers like to completely redesign their vehicles every couple of years, Porsche is one automaker that follows the philosophy “If it ain’t broken – don’t fix it.”

However, if you have 169,300 euros ($241,236 USD) laying around in your bank account, Porsche will make your 911 very exclusive. At the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, Porsche will unveil the new 911 Sport Classic, bringing back the tradition of a small series built in very limited numbers.

Customized by Porsche’s Specialist Department over the last 3 years, the 911 Sport Classic pays a tribute to the 1973 Carrera RS 2.7 with unique “ducktail” style spoiler.

Source Egmcartech

Late last year Porsche unveiled its updated Boxster and Cayman range but there are still several other models based on the same Boxster/Cayman platform in the works. One of these is a high-performance RS model, recently seen testing at Germany’s Nurburgring, and another is a long-rumored chopped ‘Speedster’ model.

However, development of the next-generation model is also well underway and images of a prototype for the car have once again surfaced. This time the prototype has been spotted on its way to Germany’s Nurburging circuit for some high-speed testing.

A Porsche insiders are talking about a lightweight, turbocharged four-cylinder platform for the next-gen Boxster recently began making the rounds. The thought coincides with possible rumors of a revived 914 that could be co-branded by both VW and Porsche, targeted at different market sectors, which means the new Boxster could certainly be fitted with a highly charged four-banger. If that’s the case, we’re sure Porsche will still offer a six-cylinder option for upper range models.

Such a design premise might offer more room to launch a detuned entry-level Carrera also aimed at improving emissions ratings. Even the current six-cylinder Boxster and Cayman, the most efficient in Porsche’s line, emit about 222 g/km of CO2–about 100 g/km more than the projected 2015 limits.

Whatever Porsche has in store for the new car, we’ll have to wait until its expected arrival in 2011 to find out.

Source Motorauthority

Gemballa has dropped the first images of its upcoming modification of the four-door Porsche Panamera. Known as the Mistrale (name of a cold, Northwest wind that blows through the region of Provence in the south of France), the Gemballa tuned Panamera will get a new front bumper, a carbon fiber lip, a redesigned bonnet with large nostrils. At the back, the Gemballa Mistrale gets a new rear diffuser, quad stainless-steel sport exhaust and additional air outlets.

No details on power upgrades were given, but we expect nothing short of exciting from Gemballa.

Gemballa will also add 22-inch 5-spoke alloy wheels to complete the package.

Source Egmcartech

The new 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 RS is here and this time around it delivers even more power, weighs less and has shorter transmission ratios. Power comes from a 3.8L unit that delivers more output, revving up to 8,500 rpm while producing a neck-snapping 450-hp.

The engine is mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox, which is now optimized for short gearshift travel. It comes with shorter ratios than found in the 911 GT3, helping you return an even higher potential top track speed. Handling has been improved by Porsche’s new PASM (Porsche Active Suspension Management) suspension, a wider front and rear track and corresponding bodywork.

What’s interesting is that for 2010, the GT3 RS features a lithium-ion battery. No it’s not a plug-in hybrid. The car now replaces its conventional lead-acid battery with a lithium-ion, helping reduce weight by 22 lbs.

The 2010 911 GT3 RS goes on sale in the U.S. in early spring of 2010 with prices starting at $132,800.

Source Egmcartech

First, there was the Gemballa Mirage GT Carbon Edition, soon followed by the Gemballa Mirage GT Gold Edition. And now, there’s a third version that’s just slightly different on the outside, but it’s the one we’d buy if we had a spare Porsche Carrera GT, an extra $300k in an off-shore account and an economy that didn’t put the kibosh on conspicuous consumption — or we lived in Dubai. Behold, the Gemballa Mirage GT Matte Edition.

It’s everything that the other Mirage GT Editions boast — 3.7-second 0-to-60, 208 mph top speed, 670 horses but it’s nasty, as in Doom on Wheels, with nothing but silver accents over light-eating black paint. A shame about the blue-on-blue alcantara interior, though… You can check it out in the high-res gallery below, but please, don’t make it angry.

Source Autoblog

Yes, well, wouldn’t this be something. We’ve heard rumors and innuendo concerning the supposed Porsche Cayman Shooting Brake. In many ways, a shooting brake (also properly spelled with a hyphen — shooting-brake) is the perfect vehicle. Small and light like a sports car, but capable and practical like a station wagon. Combine chocolate with peanut butter and voila! A most excellent product.

Is this for real? Probably not. The first one spotted, the black Cayman Shooting Brake, was most likely a cardboard and tape job hacked together to allow engineers easy access to the engine bay. Maybe Porsche broke down and shoved a much needed turbo (or two) into the Cayman’s rump. But hey, maybe, this really is a leaked photo of Porsche’s first ever shooting brake (or something from Rinspeed?), and not just an ambitious but ultimately fake Photoshop. Wouldn’t that be sweet?

Source Autoblog

Right, so some of you might remember Mirage GT Carbon Edition from Porsche tuner Gemballa. As the name suggests, they took an already hypercar cool Porsche Carrera GT and added lightness, a.k.a. lots of additional carbon fiber. They also tweaked the power a bit, with the 5.7-liter V10 making 670 horsepower in this application. The resulting car had a quicker zero to sixty time (3.7 vs. 3.9 from the factory) and a higher top speed (208 mph for the Gemballa/205 mph for the car from Stuggart). Only five editions would be built, which of course leaves us with the perennial uber-car dilemma: It’s not exclusive enough.

Meet the Gemballa Mirage GT Gold Edition. It’s very much like the Carbon Edition – there’s still plenty of carbon fiber – only this one’s got lots and lots of gold. Gold in the sills, the wheels, the air intake, the wing, the rear diffuser, the trunk lid, the brake calipers, the rear brake vent outlets, the wing mirrors and the engine bay. There’s gold all the hell over the place inside the car, too, including the vents, the HVAC controls and the bottom of the gear shift. Which brings up the only point we have to make about the Mirage GT – either edition.

Gemballa went on ahead replaced the birch/ash wood shift knob with carbon fiber. The lightweight wooden knob was an homage to balsa wood shifter in the legendary 917. And really, the knob’s kinda the entire point of the car. So… What’s that? Porsche went ahead and sullied the memory of their beloved 917 by offering an optional carbon fiber knob in the Carrera GT? Well then, Gemballa… carry on.

Source Autoblog

It’s a toss-up when trying to figure out what’s more stupid, joyriding employees or a Porsche owner who thinks Circuit City is the best place to perform an audio installation on a 911 Turbo. Luke Liang left his 2008 911 Turbo at the Bridgewater, New Jersey Circuit City store for audio system work, but seeing the Weissach-crested key hanging from a hook was too much for store employee Brian Murphy, who ignored store policy and took the Porsche for a spin. The joyride didn’t last long, coming to a halt in the parking lot after Murphy nailed a curb.

Liang sued the store, claiming the stunt driving escapade destroyed a wheel and tire, broke suspension parts, and resulted in scratches. The damage has also dinged the value of his 997 by $50,000, Liang says. It’s unclear what’s going to happen now that Circuit City has gone belly up and the store’s closed, but we’re guessing that Liang’s learned the hard way that it’s a bad idea to leave a car worth $185,000 with a pack of wild audio rats.

Source Autoblog

Porsche’s Cayenne is starting to show its age. With the arrival of the Panamera, it’s no longer the most controversial looking vehicle in the company’s product portfolio, though its road-scorching edge remains undiminished in turbo form. A new Cayenne is coming in gas, and hybrid flavors, and a fresh spy shot has surfaced showing what may well be the reshaped keister of the next model.

It’s got a bit of Volkswagen in it, maybe, but check those wheels and the way the lower valance is a diffusery thing – very Porsche-esque. If it is the Cayenne, this next generation might actually look okay while it continues to defy physics. Before we get too vitriolic, the Cayenne’s volume has helped make 911s and Caymans possible – and for that, we say thank you.

Source Autoblog

Take a look at the British supercar that’s got the Audi R8 and Porsche 911 in its sights! This striking machine is an all-new entry-level ‘baby’ model from Formula One racing team McLaren – and it will take the company into uncharted territory, rivaling established brands with a price tag of around £80,000.

The sports car is a key part of McLaren boss Ron Dennis’ plans to expand McLaren Automotive – the division responsible for the Mercedes SLR McLaren and original F1 road car – into a volume producer.

Already in the pipeline is the P11, a Ferrari F430 rival that we’ve scooped undergoing final testing. A hi-tech, expensive flagship that would revive the spirit of the original F1 supercar is on the horizon, too.

However, McLaren has ambitious plans to produce several thousand units from its factory in Woking, Surrey, over the next five years. So, it needs to enter an entirely new sector – and that’s where this ‘baby’ model comes in.

Compact
Based on the same rear-wheel-drive chassis as the P11, it will boast a composite body and be very compact – slightly smaller than the Audi R8.

Ex-Fiat and Ferrari designer Frank Stephenson has been installed as styling director at McLaren Automotive, and is working on a range of projects – including this car. These artist’s impressions give you the best idea yet of how the newcomer could look – and as you can see, there are clear influences from the P11, as well as cues from the original Peter Stevens-designed F1.

To keep costs down and prevent the small McLaren from stepping on the toes of the turbocharged P11, power is likely to come from a normally aspirated 6.2-litre V8 sourced from Mercedes’ AMG division.

With 450bhp in a car that weighs around 1,300kg, performance will still be scintillating. A 0-60mph time of 4.5 seconds and top speed of 195mph will more than match the V8-powered R8.

A semi-automatic gearbox with steering wheel-mounted paddles and carbon ceramic brakes will be standard.

The baby McLaren is still some way off, though – it’s unlikely to appear before 2012.

Source Autoexpress.co.uk

The latest version of the Porsche GT2-class racing car, the GT3 RSR was unveiled. Visually, the biggest difference for ‘09 is up front, where a substantially louvered hood now resides.

It’s there because the car’s radiator ductwork has been redesigned so as to accommodate the racer’s optional A/C system. Other changes are hidden, but no less important. Aero tweaks include a rear wing angle that’s more adjustable than on last year’s car. The brakes and wiring harness contribute to lighter weight, and inside the pilot gets a new multifunction display. There’s also a revised supply system that allows for an infinitely adjustable blink rate for the front lights. That makes for easy nighttime identification when the car pits. The oil filler has been relocated for easier access, and the GT3 RSR is equipped with a new air jack, as well.

That’s all well and good, but what about the power? Displacement for the rear-mounted six-cylinder jumps from 3.8 to 4.0 liters, and it now pumps out 450 horsepower at 7,800 rpm. Last year it produced 465 hp @ 8,000 rpm) Torque is rated at 317 lb-ft (430 Nm) at 7,250 rpm – the same as last year. The rev limiter kicks in at 9K, and Porsche says that the new car’s torque curve is better-optimized than the outgoing car’s. The new RSR ought to become a common sight in the Le Mans series on both sides of the Atlantic, as Porsche resumes its annual battle with Ferrari in sports car racing. Want one? Give Porsche €380,000 – roughly $494,000 USD (plus the appropriate VAT) and you’re good to go. Tech specs are pasted after the jump.

Source Autoblog

Now that the latest variants of the Porsche 911, the coupe, cabrio, targo and turbo, on the road, similar updates for Zuffenhausen’s flyweight road rocket will be revealed in the GT3 RS.

Test mules have been spotted roaming the French alps, which in this season would probably be the last place we’d want to drive a rear-engined, rear-wheel-drive track car. But then we’re not zany German engineers, now are we?

We can expect that the latest 911 GT3 RS will receive the same updates as its brethren (including the Turbo’s LED light strips up front) and be updated with the retro decal stripe and badge graphic down the quarter panel, plus colored wheels, contrasting wing-mirror housings, a big rear wing and an interior roll cage. A carbon fiber rear wing and hood plus a plastic rear window will help keep the weight down versus the conventional 911 Carrera, which should help the new RS hustle to 60 in a scant four seconds flat.

Source Autoblog

Theory Communication and Design with iForged Wheels created a version of the 966 Porsche Turbo with several modifications including a carbon diffuser, wheels, Porsche-logoed Sparco seats, and 5-point harness.

The 996 Porsche Turbo is old news, but that didn’t stop Theory Communication and Design and iForged Wheels from whipping up a version that makes us quiver slightly, even though it’s green. Artisan stuffed 650 horses under that rear wing with its turbo upgrade package,

and the TechArt GT Street wide body rear kit has a beautiful carbon diffuser and ample ports for viewing the intercoolers. The car’s speed is held in check by yellow Brembo calipers restrained behind iForged wheels, and your own speed will be held in check by the 5-point harness on the Porsche-logoed Sparco seats. Check out the press release after the jump, and the gallery of high-res photos of the build and show car below.

Source: autoblog

Looking just like the concept sketch, a photographer caught this four-door Porsche Panamera.

Source:jalopnik

An annoyingly restricted view reveals a precious little, disguise-free shot of the new Porsche Panamera four-door saloon. It may be lacking disguise, but there’s precious little we can see in this artfully cropped first picture of the Panamera. Although it offers an annoyingly restricted view, this is the first time we’ve seen Stuttgart’s new gran turismo.

And this Panamera teaser photo is just one part of an extensive pre-launch publicity campaign kicking off today. A special Panamera website is stuffed with (carefully controlled) videos, spy photos, limited facts, podcasts and – get this – even a Porsche Panamera song.

Porsche Panamera teaser photos, podcasts and jazz songs? Have they lost their marbles?

Perhaps. Porsche today launches a new Panamera Online Magazine (www.porsche.com/panamera), which includes videos of disguised prototypes and a direct mail campaign targeting potential customers. Whether slick-suited execs considering an Aston Martin Rapide or Merc S-class really want to hear the dubious Panamera jazz song remains to be seen…

It’s going to be a long wait until we finally see the Panamera production car late in winter 2008-09; the precise launch date is still kept under wraps, but bank on the saloon arriving in dealers in summer 2009.

Porsche fans might have found the ultimate toy. A Singapore-based boat maker called Royal Falcon Fleet has commissioned designers from Porsche to create a line of luxury yachts.

The initial project is a 40-foot catamaran created with the help of architects at Incat Crowther. Porsche designed the exterior of the hull and the interior – so it’s sure to be extravagant! No machine bearing the firm’s badge should lack the power to back its looks, so top naval technology specialist Kockums has been brought on board to develop the engine.

Thanks to Auto Express

Although it debuted in the Frankfurt Motor Show, the Porsche GT2’s appearance at the New York Auto show impressed reviewers more. The black rims and red finish help make twin-turbo 530 HP 997 even hotter.

As reported by Frank Filipponio:

We’ve already chronicled the debut of the Porsche GT2, and shown you pics of it from the Frankfurt Motor Show, but the red one on display here at the New York Auto Show looks hotter than any other we’ve seen. We think it’s those new factory-option black rims, but there’s definitely something special about this hottest 997 offering. 530 HP from a twin-turbo version of the automaker’s famous flat-six, 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds, a 204-mph top speed, and 18.8 mpg makes a nice cherry on top, too.

Gallery: New York 2008: Porsche GT2 hotness

Originally by Frank Filipponio from Autoblog on March 20, 2008, 3:57am