About Porsche

Rain Stockton asked:



As Penske drivers Ryan Briscoe and Sascha Maassen claimed the manufacturer’s fourth-straight overall win, both being second in a row, in a thrill-a-minute race around Lime Rock Park’s cramped confines, Porsche maintained its winning round in the American Le Mans Series.

With the late introduced 2007-spec LMP2 air restrictors, Porsche’s RS Spyder lost 5 percent of its engine power for this race. Nonetheless, it was still the car to have around the 1.54-mile Connecticut venue. The LMP1 Audi R10s, which was much heavier, weren’t at home on the narrow and bouncy circuit. Moreover, Porsche appeared to extend its advantage over its Acura LMP2 rivals.

The second Penske Porsche mainly led the two-hour, 45-minute race. Romain Dumas and Timo Bernhard led the first two hours. But the latter was caught behind two slower cars.

After both cars went off track, the Audis ended up nowhere. Allan McNish spun twice avoiding a slower prototype. As a result, he ended up fifth overall along with co-driver Rinaldo Capello. Marco Werner crashed the other R10 massively.

Ahead of Chevrolet Corvette teammates Johnny O’Connell and Jan Magnussen, Olivier Beretta and Oliver Gavin won GT1. Their winning was essentially decided when Beretta ended up 0.01 second quicker in free practice, given that overtaking between the two cars was banned, before rain that canceled qualifying.

Porsche got its first ALMS GT2 victory of the season over Ferrari. The three F430 GTs of the race came together in one incident, thus allowing the Flying Lizard Porsche of Jorg Bergmeister and Johannes van Overbeek to win the class.

Porsche is not only dedicated to building ordinary cars or Porsche 911 parts. It also indulges in racing activities.

The American Le Mans Series (ALMS) gave all drivers and teams since 1999 the probability to compete for a whole racing season with the legendary 24-hour race of Le Mans. The ALMS regulations, which are issued by IMSA (International Motor Sports Association), are based on the long-distance classic. These are the two prototypes and two GT classes drive at the same time in a single race; meaning, the spectators watch four races in one. Year after year the ALMS satisfy its fans with enthusiasm due to the presence of many notable manufacturers and prominent drivers at this very open and attractive race series. One of the many manufacturers is Porsche.

Porsche got a double champion in the 2006 season. It succeeded as the first manufacturer to win the championship title in two different classes. Sascha Maassen and Lucas Luhr won the manufacturer’s class, while team (Penske Motorsports) and driver titles were won in the LMP2 class. In, Jörg Bergmeister won the manufacturer’s and driver titles in the 911 GT3 RSR (996) in the GT2 class.

The 2007 racing calendar has been increased from ten to twelve races. Porsche will face this challenge with the advanced RS Spyder, 911 GT3 RSR (997) models and several top class teams, including Penske Racing, Dyson Racing, Flying Lizard, Tafel Racing and Rahal Letterman Racing.

Fred

Rain Stockton asked:



Bloomberg reports Porsche AG’s 911, a $72,400 sports car, spurred the carmaker’s being the world’s most profitable last year. CEO Wendelin Wiedeking says earnings will grow even more because of Volkswagen AG’s Golf, a $15,000 hatchback.

The report said Wiedeking may extend the luxury car company’s share-price gains by increasing the stake and using Porsche’s influence to convert Europe’s biggest carmaker. Analysts and investors say Porsche’s experience in “thin” production will enhance Volkswagen’s profitability, while the companies will save by sharing development costs.

Sales and profit at Volkswagen, now 31 percent owned by Porsche, have already increased since the initial tie-up, spurring Porsche’s shares more than double.

Peter Braendle, who helps manage almost 63 billion Swiss francs ($52 billion) in assets at Swisscanto Asset Management in Zurich, plus shares in both car companies, said Porsche knows how to manage itself and stands to significantly earn from its ownership in Volkswagen.

Adam Jonas, an analyst at Morgan Stanley in London, forecasts that Porsche’s profit may grow to more than 3 billion euros, which is tantamount to $4.1 billion, in five years from 1.39 billion euros in the 12 months ended July 2006. He expects that the company’s shares will reach 1,650 euros within a year, as compared with Thursday’s closing price of 1,330 euros.

Juergen Meyer, who helps manage almost 1.3 billion euros of assets at SEB Asset Management in Frankfurt, including Volkswagen and Porsche shares, commented that the alliance between Porsche and VW is extremely important to Porsche.

As regards lagging profitability, the report says that such concern on Volkswagen would crimp Porsche’s growth sent the luxury carmaker’s shares plunging 10 percent on Sept. 26, 2005, a day after Porsche said that it would acquire a stake in the larger automaker.

In 2005, Wolfsburg, Germany-based Volkswagen’s operating margin was 3 percent as compared with 19 percent at Porsche in the 12 months ended July that year.

Volkswagen’s margin widened to 4.3 percent in 2006, as new models such as the Eos and the Audi Q7 helped lift sales 10 percent to 5.72 million vehicles. Net income increased more than doubled.

Cost cutting already began at Volkswagen. As a matter of fact, former Chief Executive Bernd Pischetsrieder has thrown off 20,000 jobs.

Andreas Dittmer, who helps manage nearly 3.5 billion euros in assets at Apo Asset Management in Cologne, Germany, which includes Volkswagen shares, commented that “Volkswagen has become leaner”.

Porsche is entitled to almost one third of Volkswagen’s dividend, which was 497 million euros in 2006. Wiedeking said on June 26 that Porsche’s profit will really rise significantly this year. And thanks to Volkswagen.

The German carmaker is the genius behind Volkswagen Golf parts.

Dana

atomicnumber54 asked:


I am an 18 year old who has loved Porsche 911s of all types all of my life. I particulary like the older SC’s, 3.2L’s, and pre 1974 cars. I have never really admired or had the desire to drive another car. I live in a lower class home and affording any Porsche will be hard for me. But I don’t want to call any other car my own, except a 911. I can’t stand it when I see rich guys driving their Boxters and new 996’s and 997’s and they don’t really appreciate the heritage of their cars. What’s the best place to go to find a half affordable older 911 that is still half decent?

Sean

Joe Thompson asked:



Porsche enthusiasts are excited about the new offer from Porsche. This offer is all about the permanent all-wheel drive given by the automaker to Porsche 911 Targa. The vehicle is now on sale.

All-wheel drive (AWD), otherwise called as four-wheel drive, 4×4, 4WD, is a term used to describe a 4-wheeled vehicle with a drivetrain that is capable of allowing all the four wheels to simultaneously get power from the engine. This feature is commonly associated with off-road vehicles nonetheless; all-wheel drive is crucial in providing better control on slippery ice and race tracks on paved streets.

The term is originally used to describe truck-like vehicles that necessitate switching between a 2-wheel drive mode for roads and a 4-wheel drive mode for low traction conditions like ice, gravel and mud. AWD is common for identical drivetrain systems that will be marketed for both the upmarket and downmarket branding. However, it is also common for different drivetrain systems that will be marketed under the same name for brand homogeny.

Porsche aficionados can now enjoy the fact that AWD is now made permanent for Targa. Aside from the AWD, Targa is equipped with lots of breath-taking Porsche car parts. Both Targa and 996 have common denominator and said feature contribute significantly to its “wow factor.” The striking feature is the huge glass roof and opening rear window. The glass roof plus the rear window are capable of inviting light and fresh air when they are left opened. The glass roof can be opened by up to half a meter in a matter of 7 seconds. This can be done by employing 2 electric motors. According to the automaker, to fully open the roof, it would take about 0.45 square meters.

Porsche factory parts for the roof panel of Targa are built of 2-ply tinted glass, which is lighter by 1.9kg than its predecessor. The automaker has developed a sealing system that minimizes wind noise. Also, wind deflector reduces turbulence inside the car. Targa also allows open-air free-spirited driving when outside temperature is accommodating. Subsequently, the semi-translucent roller sunblind is used to provide shade in the interior of the car when the roof is closed. The roller blind and the glass roof can be maneuvered using a rocker switch.

Porsche 911 Targa is powered by 3.6-litre six cylinder 3.6-litre six-cylinder engine that delivers 239kW. The S variant, the most powerful among the variants, uses a 3.8-litre engine that produces a top speed of 355bhp. The car is also equipped with Porsche VarioCam Plus valve control system, Vehicle Tracking System (VTS), and other striking car features.


Laurie

aawjonesin asked:


have looked at kbb, edmunds, the porsche site.

Diane

Rain Stockton asked:



To compete in one of the world’s most difficult rally events, the 2007 TransSyberian Rally, Porsche Cars of North America (PCNA) will be fielding three specially prepared Cayennes. Beginning August 3, and covering 3,850 miles of forest, desert, mountains, and plains, the route will pit the Cayennes against 47 other entrants on the 15 day expedition from Moscow to Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia.

The 2008 Porsche Cayenne S TransSyberia vehicles used for the rally have had a set of special safety equipment added in preparation for the rally. Based on the standard Cayenne S, the race vehicles remain mechanically identical to their street-bound parent right down to the stock 4.8-liter, 385 horsepower V-8 engine. Each participant is fitted with a full rollcage along with racing-style seatbelts, auxiliary lighting, and skid plates, among other features.

The rally will be composed of two teams from the U.S. and one from Canada. Meaning, the three entrants will be divided into three separate teams with two drivers on each team. Rod Millen, Jeff Zwart, and Paul Dallenbach — all former winners in various disciplines, are among the employed drivers for the event.

The North American teams will compete against entries from Europe, South and Central America and Asia, including other teams driving Porsche Cayenne S TransSyberias.

Visit www.porsche.com/all/Transsyberia2007/international.aspx for more information on the TransSyberian Rally or the Porsches entrants.

The team lineups from Porsche include Team USA 1, Team USA 2, and Team Canada.

Team USA 1 is composed of Rod Millen and Richard Kelsey. Millen has won rally championships on three continents. He has reached a class win at the 24 Hours of Daytona and led the Mickey Thompson Off-Road Racing series winning the truck title three years in a row. He is also a multi-time overall winner of the famous Pike’s Peak Hill Climb. Kelsey has won both as a driver and co-driver at the Baja 1000, The Pike’s Peak Hill Climb and the SCCA National Rally Championship.

Team USA 2 is composed of Jeff Zwart and Paul Dallenbach. Between the two, the team has accumulated nine overall and class championships at the Pike’s Peak Hill Climb, the 2nd oldest race in the U.S. Moreover, Zwart has been a U.S. Open Class PRO Rally champion and a class-winner at the abhorrent Baja 1000. Meanwhile, Dallenbach is a three-time winner of the Alcan Rally and a racer in almost every professional road-race series in SCCA and IMSA.

Team Canada is composed of Kees Nierop and Laurance Yap. Nierop has bagged the overall win in the legendary 12 Hours of Sebring aside from many other endurance racing wins. He was a Rothman’s Porsche Cup champion, and co-drove the Porsche 961 (the racing version of the iconic Porsche 959) for the factory team. Yap is an award-winning journalist and photographer from Toronto, Canada who writes for publications like Driven, the Toronto Star and CanadianDriver.Com.

Aside from producing quality Porsche Boxter parts, Porsche has also proven their worth in the field of racing.

Mark

Andrew Manifield asked:


With every new automobile, Porsche tried to redefine the meaning of performance, by creating a more powerful engine. Cayenne Turbo makes no exception to this rule. Like all Porsche engine, it is hand assembled and the twin turbo V8 rises to an exacting level of technical excellence.
Motronic ME7.1.1.is a system that controls the split-second precision of the Cayenne V8 and V6 super engine. This new highly intelligent engine management system balances impressive power with great smoothness. All this to prove that Cayenne`s “brain” matches its brawn. The Motronic system is built to monitor a wide range of sensors and engine components. It compares streams of data with corresponding sets of reference values, all this in a speed of milliseconds. Then, if it finds any differences, the system adjusts key engine functions, such as the ignition of fuel injection, based on this comparison. Into Motronic management are included other key systems, such as onboard diagnostics and cylinder-specific knock control, with automatic adaptation to any change in fuel quality. All this for optimal performance in all driving conditions.
This process is seamless and automatic so the engine has a great level of power and torque. Also, another great result is better fuel economy and lower emissions in the exhaust stream.
Another function of the Motronic system is the managing of air flowing into the engine to ensure maximum levels of performance. It does that by regulating boost pressure on the Cayenne Turbo.
The Cayenne model includes another system, the resonance induction system with a variable-length intake manifold. This is also an inventive engineering concept that uses pressure waves created by the inlet valves. It does this to increase the density of the incoming air, which, in the end, will increase the amount of energy released during combustion. There are two intake tubes, and depending on the speed, the system will select one of them. The longer tube is used at lower speeds in order to maximize low-end torque. At around 4250 rpm, it switches to shorter Intake tube so that it maximizes power output with a more eager throttle response.
The Porsche Cayenne engineers wanted to improve combustion for more power, better fuel economy, reduced emissions and less maintenance. To do so, they created a static high-voltage ignition system with separate ignition coils on each individual spark plug. This is an advanced method that allows a longer spark-plug life. The sequential fuel injection system is equally advanced. A returnless fuel supply system serves each injector in order to continuously adjust the precise air/fuel mix. The result is of course a better environment, because it controls the emissions.

Rita

Andy West asked:


Porsche wheels should be chosen as carefully as the high performance car they are going on. Here are a few considerations to keep in mind when choosing wheels for your Porsche.

A beautiful car deserves beautiful wheels, which is probably the biggest reason why aftermarket Porsche wheels are so popular. When you drive a car like a Porsche, it just does not make sense to leave the stock Porsche wheels on the car.

Aftermarket wheels for a performance car need to be chosen carefully, however. In order to get the most performance and enjoyment out of your wheels, here are several things to consider when you are shopping for Porsche wheels.

Wheel size: Porsche wheels are sized in two different ways; diameter and width. The diameter is the measurement from rim to rim across the middle of the wheel, while the width of the wheel is measured across the part where the tires go. Larger wheels are typically popular for performance cars. The larger the diameter, the smaller the sidewall of the tire that goes on it, which tends to improve the car’s handling. Likewise, a wider wheel width takes a wider tire, which also improves a car’s handling.

If you are thinking about buying Porsche wheels that are larger than your stock wheels, it is important to keep in mind how this will affect your speedometer and odometer. You should be able to find a tire that fits the new wheel, but that has the same outside circumference as the original size tire for the car.

Finish: Porsche wheels come in a variety of different finishes. The most popular finish is most likely chrome, but chrome also tends to be the most expensive. Aftermarket wheels also come in painted finishes, usually silver or black.

Regardless of which finish you get, it is important to keep your wheels clean and dry. Water can cause the wheels to rust, and dirt will also help to hold water in and encourage rust. Generally, the smoother the finish the easier it will be to keep clean. Unless you are willing to devote a considerable amount of time to cleaning and polishing your wheels, you will probably want to avoid any kind of a porous finish.

Construction and design: Construction and design are also important when choosing Porsche wheels. Wheels with a more open design allow for better air circulation and help to keep your brakes cool, not to mention they offer a more striking appearance! Aftermarket wheels also can be made out of a variety of different materials, which have benefits such as lightness or superior strength.

The importance of Porsche wheels: Few accessories add as much to your Porsche as aftermarket wheels. When chosen correctly, Porsche wheels can both increase performance, such as handling, and add to the appearance of your car. As much as is riding on your wheels (pun intended), it is important to consider your options carefully before selecting Porsche wheels on your car.

Jose

Jenny Mclane asked:


Porsche AG, the maker of valuable and profitable cars like 911, Cayenne and Boxter, will increase its shares in Volkswagen to avoid takeover from abroad. In view of this forthcoming act, auto analysts predict that Porsche is gearing up for a takeover of its own.

Recently, Porsche announced that it will purchase sufficient shares in Volkswagen to boost its share to 29.9 percent. Thirty percent of which means a full takeover bid. It seems that the automaker is not only concentrating on the quality of its Porsche factory parts but also with its shares.

Porsche, a German automaker, is controlled by the family of Ferdinand Piech Volkswagen chairman. Nowadays, the automaker is the biggest shareholder of Volkswagen.

Wendelin Wiedeking, Porsche CEO, said that the automaker has no plans to takeover VW. He added that the automaker wants to sell 8.75 million new shares. “We believe this may presage a full bid by the company for Volkswagen, fulfilling Ferdinand Piech’s evident wish to control the company ahead of a likely expiry of the Volkswagen law limiting any one shareholder to 20 percent of voting rights,” said analyst Stephen Cheetham at Sanford C. Bernstein Ltd. in London.

Cheetam noted that the operational impact on Volkswagen being owned by Porsche “is also highly uncertain,” and that the ouster of Pischetsrieder may “herald a turn away from (his) cost-reduction strategy to one focusing on products and volume growth.”

Cheetam also added that Porsche have to bank on debt-financing to pay for Volkswagen. Said brand is now valued at approximately 30 billion euros ($38.38 billion). Porsche’s stake coupled with the state of Lower Saxony, would be unlikely to sell its share amounting to 20 percent. This means that Porsche only need to acquire about 50 percent of Volkswagen.

Credit Suisse, an auto industry critic, said the raise in stake as well as the authorization for the hike in its capital was Porsche sending a signal that “it has the necessary firing power to bid for VW” if its influence at Volkswagen was ever in doubt.

Volkswagen is experiencing turmoil and amidst this turmoil and company’s plans, media has reported that Wolfgang Bernhard, the head of VW’s flagship Volkswagen brand, intends to resign. According to some critics, Porsche is solidifying the company to improve its operations and strategies.


Timothy

Correy Putton asked:

Porsche found a new ally in NAVIGON, one of the world’s leading companies in navigation software. Earlier, NAVIGON delivered a special sneak peek of a sophisticated portable navigation device at the new P’9611 by Porsche Design Group.

P’9611 is the latest and most excellent luxury navigation product that directs selected Porsche vehicles. It is designed to avoid traffic jams and other navigation obstacles. According to the manufacturer, the package offers intuitive, full-featured NAVIGON experience in a super-sleek, timeless form factor. “We’re thrilled to be a part of this product,” said Andreas Hecht, NAVIGON’s General Manager for the Americas. “It’s a beautiful realization of design and innovation and represents the cutting-edge of navigation.”

NAVIGON is the first company that offers subscription free traffic for the lifetime of its product. The product has a built-in Traffic Message Channel (TMC) functionality that provides alternative routes to the driver. The revolutionary lane assistant, on the other hand, delivers seamless navigation guidance through intricate junctures. When the territory includes multi-lane roads, NAVIGON software displays to the driver a path that he has to follow to maintain the projected route.

P’9611 also boasts of the new MobileNavigator (MN) Premium(TM) software under its hood. Said feature reinvigorates the navigation user experience by an essential list of smart, intuitive category-leading features that include superior text-to-speech capabilities, “street first” or “city first” destination entry, and predictive spelling support. Other features include actual sign text, speed warnings, and automatic increases in navigation message volume to compensate for driving noise.

Other key features of NAVIGON include a high-contrast 480 x 272 touch screen, 520 MHz Intel CPU, dual processor platform, high-sensitivity GPS receiver, hands-free Bluetooth communications kits, graphics accelerator chip, 64 MB of both RAM and ROM, high quality built-in speakers, and a windshield cradle that is among the most thoughtfully designed in the category. The sensational product is scheduled to go on sale this summer. It will be priced at $899.

NAVIGON, a leading name in the creation of navigation software solutions for some of the world’s best-known brands in consumer electronics, was founded in Germany in 1991. Since then, the company has showcased several innovations that have boosted its outstanding standing worldwide. In fact, it is has invented the world’s first mobile GPS navigation product. Now, it is focused on creating an award-winning MobileNavigator line of navigation software.

Porsche, upon the one hand, is concentrating on the promotion of its new vehicle lineup. Earlier, the automaker has officially taken the wraps off its new Cayenne that comes in 3 variants - the V6, Cayenne S and the turbo. The introduction of the vehicles is anchored on its aim to maintain the chain of success in performance SUV segment. All-new Cayenne is given upgraded auto catalog parts Porsche to make it more stylish, innovative and high performing. Now it looks more agile and aggressive in all angles.

Aside from the captivating body design, Cayenne also boasts its new engine power. From the 3.2 liters engine, it is now increased to 3.6 liters engine that is capable of producing 290hp and 283lb-ft of torque and delivers greater fuel economy than the previous engine. The V8 in the S model delivers 385hp and 369 lb-ft of torque while delivering a 15 percent increase in fuel economy. Further, Cayenne Turbo is now offering 500hp and an astounding 516 lb-ft of torque. The new Cayenne epitomizes improvement on an already impressive sport utility vehicle.

Anne