Long-Wheelbase Porsche Panamera Confirmed for Launch in 2012

The story about Porsche developing a long-wheelbase version of its Panamera sedan has been circulating around the grapevine for quite some time now, but today, Car Magazine reported that inside sources not only confirmed but also revealed that the car will launch in early 2012.
The unnamed sources stated that the Panamera LWB will gain a 150mm (5.9-inches) wheelbase extension for a total length of 3,070mm (120.8-inches). The additional space is said to benefit the rear passengers.
Aside from the very un-Porsche limo, it is also reported that the Panamera will receive its first facelift in 2013, and that the German sports carmaker is contemplating the development of a smaller sedan model, allegedly called Pajun (we guess the name is inspired by the Cajun small SUV), to slot right under the company's full size sedan model.
And yes, we're still talking about Porsche, the famous German company from Stuttgart that was once known and praised by enthusiasts only for its thoroughbred sports cars.

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RUF Unveils Updated CTR3

Four years after the presentation of the CTR3, and it's time for Porsche tuning specialist RUF to tweak its mid-engine supercar.

The newest CTR3 continues to use the Porsche 911-derived 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged six-cylinder boxer engine, but thanks to a series of modifications, output has been boosted from 691bhp and 890Nm (657 lb-ft) to 750bhp and 960 Nm (708 lb-ft) of peak torque.
The more powerful CTR3 accelerates from standstill to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 3.2 seconds and to 125 mph (200 km) in 9.6 seconds, and can reach a top speed of 236 mph (380 km/h).
Power is channeled to the rear wheels through a sequential shift 6-speed transmission and limited slip differential.
The supercar's chassis is a space frame with a modular construction while the company's RUF Integrated Roll Cage protects the passengers. Apart from the doors and the front hood, which are made from aluminum, the rest of the body is made out of Kevlar-carbon composite.
The CTR3 also gets 380 mm brakes with 6-piston calipers all around and a specially designed Bosch ABS, while it rolls on 255/35 ZR19 front and 335/30 ZR20 rear tires.
Pricing of the updated CTR3 has not been announced.

Power 552 kW (750 bhp) at 7,100 rpm
Torque 960 Nm (708 lb-ft) at 4,000 rpm
Displacement 3,746 cc
Performance
0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) 3.2 seconds
0-125 mph (0-200 km/h) 9.6 seconds
Top speed 236 mph (380 km/h)
Fuel consumption
Urban 20.0 lt (11.8 mpg)/100 km
Non-urban 9.9 lt (23.7 mpg)/100 km
Combined 13.5 lt (17.4 mpg)/100 km
CO2 emissions 311 g/km

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All-New 2012 Porsche 911

One could try to explain why such a hotly anticipated new model like the 2012 Porsche 911was caught out in the open alone (?) and almost completely undisguised, but why bother; it is what it is and you can enjoy the clip and get your first unobstructed view of the 991 in the video after the break.
We’ll just remind you that the next generation of the 911 is due to be unveiled in a world premiere at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show in mid-September.
The most famous Porsche model series of all, will mostly likely be offered in two basic flavors at launch, the Carrera with a 350HP 3.4-liter flat-six and the Carrera S powered by a 3.8-liter boxer delivering around 400 ponies.
A key highlight of the new model is a new seven-speed manual gearbox that joins Porsche’s 7-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission.

VIDEO

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2012 Porsche 911 Teased in Official Video

The wait for the next evolution of the Porsche 911 is almost over. In fact, we’re so close to the launch date that the German firm has just entered the teasing phase releasing the first official video of the sports car shot during hot weather testing in South Africa.
The public will have its first chance to see the new 911, codenamed 991, at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show in September. What we know up until now is that, the 911 will look like, well, a 911 – don’t forget, it’s all about evolution when it comes to Porsche's most famous model.
However, the next 911 is slightly bigger and roomier yet lighter than today’s version, and will be available with more fuel efficient and greener engines including a smaller displacement 3.4-liter flat-six with 350HP for the Carrera /4, and a 3.8-liter flat-six producing 400-horses for the Carrera S/4S,
The two launch models will be offered with a new 7-speed manual gearbox and a 7-speed dual-clutch PDK transmission.
The new 911’s lineup will eventually grow to include several body styles such as the Convertible, Targa and most likely a Speedster, as well numerous models and special editions like the Turbo, Turbo S, the GT series and more.

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Über Rare Porsche 911 GT1 Straßenversion

It might not be the prettiest Porsche to look at, but the 911 GT1 Straßenversion is without doubt one of the most rare and radical street legal 911s ever to leave the Stuttgart firm’s factory.
You see, the 911 GT1 Straßenversion is the fully road-legal version of Porsche’s 1997 GT1 race car, While based on the 993, it features many modifications including a bespoke carbon-fiber body made to improve aerodynamics and lower the car's weight, and a detuned version of the competition model’s turbocharged flat-six engine delivering some 540 horses.
And now, one of the very few examples that were built to homologate Porsche's 911 GT1 contender in the late 1990s (Porsche is said to have built around 20 cars) is up for sale on a German site with an asking price of €1.2 million or about US$1.7 million.
Notably, the seller says the car is located in Tokyo, Japan, but will deliver anywhere, and that the car’s engine is rated at 700-horses.

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Porsche Sales Increase Substantially

Porsche deliveries have increased substantially last month, with the German luxury carmaker selling 10,667 vehicles, up 29.5% compared to June 2010. Porsche's first half of the year sales also increased by 36.8% compared to the same period in 2010, with a total of 60,659 units sold from January throughout June.

Bernhard Maier, Porsche Board of Management Member for Sales and Marketing, was naturally more than satisfied with sales results: “We managed to increase our deliveries significantly again in June.”

“This is accompanied by better-than-expected sales figures. The significant increase in new vehicle orders, especially for our front-engined sports cars, Cayenne and Panamera, also gives grounds for anticipating good sales figures in the coming months”, he added.

In June, Porsche saw its sales increase worldwide. In China, they quadrupled (!) to 2,423 cars compared to June 2010, in Russia the rise reached 63.6% and in the US the growth was 18.9%. Only in Germany its sales of 1,344 units were almost the same as last year’s.

The Cayenne was the best seller of the range, with first half of the year sales doubling to 30,055 cars, 4,994 of which were delivered in June alone.

Second best in June was the Panamera with 2,318 sales (+14.1%) followed by the soon to be replaced 911 (2,015 cars, +1%) and the Boxster/Cayman duo with 1,350 cars (+6.5%).

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Porsche Mulling Modern-Day 928 GT Replacement

It’s been a while since Porsche had a front-engined GT in its range. Most car enthusiasts will remember the 928 that was launched in 1979 with the aim to replace the 911 by offering improved drivability and increased passenger and luggage space.

Even though it was named “Car of the Year” in 1978, and was continuously evolved until production ended in 1995, it failed in its original mission since the 911, despite its shortcomings, far outlived it.

Now, according to information obtained by Autocar magazine, Porsche is once again planning a two-door, front engine GT, essentially a spiritual successor to the 928. The new model, which could be named 929, will be based on the second generation of the Panamera and is believed to arrive sometime in 2014 or 2015.

The reason why Porsche has decided to build a 928 successor is the increasing popularity of the GT sector, which has grown to more than 10,000 sales a year. A modern-day 928 would provide the Stuttgart carmaker with a credible alternative to rival the likes of the Ferrari California andAston Martin DB9.

The 929, if it gets the green light, will use a shortened version of the Panamera platform and share some parts with the third generation Bentley Continental GT.

Porsche has already announced a big investment at its Leipzig plant, where the Cayenne is produced, in order to increase capacity in anticipation for the smaller Cajun SUV. But it could also indicate that the increased capacity is also planned for the second-gen Panamera derivatives.

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Porsche Celebrating The Production Of 300,000th Cayman / Boxster

We are big fans οf Porsche's Boxster and Cayman, and it appears we are nοt alone. Porsche is celebrating 300,000 Cayman and Bοxster models sοld, almost exactly 15 years after the first rοadster left the Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen plant in Germany. The liοn is share of thοse sports cars have been cοnvertibles – the hard-hatted Cayman did not jοin the party until 2005 as a 2006 mοdel.

To put an exclamation pοint οn production vehicle number 300,000, Pοrsche went all-out by building a Bοxster Spyder with Platinum Silver paint and Carrera red leather interior. The undοubtedly hot ride will gο tο a lucky customer in Germany.

With a classy design and peerless handling, we are nοt at all surprised that Porsche has sοld 300,000 copies οf its mid-engined Bοxster and Cayman.  

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