Porsche Car Automotive Design

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New Porsche Boxster S Black Edition Adds More Power and Value

After the 911 Carrera Black Edition, Porsche today announced that it is launching a similar limited run version of the Boxster S as well. The new model will be produced in just 987 units, and aside from the upgrades in the styling and equipment departments, the Boxster S Black Edition also benefits from a small power boost.

As one would expect, almost every part of the body is finished in black, including the model lettering, mirror housings, rollover bars, air intake grilles and twin tailpipes. Black 19-inch wheels, shod in tires size 235/35 at the front and 265/35 at the rear, complete the exterior changes.

The dark theme is continued inside, complemented by discrete metallic accents found on the doors, sill plates, air vents, steering wheel and gear selector. Other than that, black dominates the dashboard, door panels and partially leather seats.

To mark its special status, the Boxster S Black Edition comes as standard with the “Comfort”, “Infotainment” and “Design” equipment packages. That means customers don’t have to pay extra for features such as the wind deflector, anti-dazzle mirrors, cruise control, rain sensor, climate control, navigation, bi-xenon lights with cornering function and LED daytime running lights. The list of special options includes among other things, the Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB), Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) and adaptive sports seats with memory function.

The Black Edition uses the same 3.4-liter six-cylinder boxer engine as the Boxster S, but after some minor tweaks it delivers ten more horsepower, for a total of 320HP and 370 Nm (273 lb-ft) of torque.

Fitted with the 6-speed manual transmission, the Boxster S Black Edition needs just 5.2 seconds to complete the 0-to-100 km/h (62 mph) dash and can reach a top speed of 276 km/h (171.5 mph). According to the NEDC (New European Driving Cycle) test cycle, average fuel consumption is 9.8 lt/100 km (24 US mpg).

Customers can also opt for Porsche’s 7-speed twin-clutch transmission, dubbed PDK, in which case the roadster is even faster and more frugal. It sprints to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.1 seconds, (0-60mph in 4.8") while the top speed is 274 km/h (170 mph). With the PDK, the Boxer returns a combined fuel consumption of 9.4 lt/100 km (25 US mpg).

The Boxster S Black Edition will go on sale in March 2011 for a base price of €63,404 in Germany, including VAT and country-specific equipment.

In the U.S. prices start at $65,200, with Porsche claiming saving of around $3,200 over a comparably equipped Boxster S.

By Csaba Daradics

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Man Amasses Ridiculously Awesome Gulf Oil-Liveried Racing Car Collection

The ROFGO Gulf Collection by Duncan Hamilton is one man's dream of assembling the largest assortment of racing cars ever to compete in the legendary colors of Gulf Oil. The collection comprises 14 of the most prominent Gulf Oil-liveried competition cars and has been created by Duncan Hamilton & Co.’s Chairman, Adrian Hamilton, for an unnamed but obviously passionate and extremely wealthy client.

All 14 cars were tracked down and acquired in just two years. The collection includes a variety of models ranging in age from the 1967 Mirage, which was the first Gulf-liveried car to run at Le Mans, to the 2010 Lamborghini Gallardo that competed in the GT2 Championship.

Commenting on the collection, Adrian Hamilton said: “My career has been punctuated by many remarkable cars – eg the one and only Mercedes-Benz 196 Grand Prix car in private hands, some nine Ferrari 250 GT0s, 20 GT40s, seven Porsche 917s and numerous Jaguar C and D-Types etc – but few projects have been as enjoyable and satisfying as this one. Like all racing enthusiasts I’ve grown up with the Gulf brand and it is a tremendous privilege to be able to build such a unique and lasting tribute to one of the greatest names in our sport. I am extremely indebted to my client for the opportunity.”

A total of 12 cars from the ROFGO Gulf Collection by Duncan Hamilton will get their first public outing for all to see at Retromobile, an annual show of classic road and racing cars, which takes place at Porte de Versailles in Paris, from February 2 to 6.

In chronological order the 14 cars are:

1967 Mirage

Chassis No.10002 – the first Gulf-liveried car to run at Le Mans

1968 Ford GT40

Chassis No.1084 – 4^th, SPA 1000 km, Hawkins/Hobbs

1969 Brabham BT26

Chassis No.BT26/4 - 1^st German GP, Ickx

1970 McLaren M14

Chassis No.M14/A2 – 2^nd South African GP, Hulme

1971 Porsche 917

Chassis No.026 – 2^nd, Le Mans 24 Hours, Attwood/Muller

1970 Porsche 908/3

Chassis No.12 – Nürburgring 1000 km, Siffert, DNF

1972 McLaren M20

Chassis No.M20/3 – 1^st, Watkins Glen, Hulme

1974 Mirage

Chassis No.704 – 4^th, Le Mans 24 Hours, Bell/Hailwood

1994 Kremer K8

Chassis No.K8/07/SP – 6^th, Le Mans 24 Hours, Bell/Lassig/Donovan

1996 McLaren F1 GTR Longtail

Chassis No.022 – 3^rd, Hockenheim 4 Hours, Bscher/Nielson

2006 Courage C65 LMP2

Chassis No.07 – 7^th, Le Mans 24 Hours, Gosselin/Ojeh/Ragues

2008 Aston Martin DBR9

Chassis No.007 – 4^th in GT1, Le Mans 24 Hours, Frentzen/Piccili/Wendlinger

2009 Aston Martin LMP1

Chassis No.DBR1-2/2 – 1^st, Asian Le Mans series, Okayama, Mucke/Primat

2010 Lamborghini Gallardo

GT2 Championship, Giroix/Goethe

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Artist's Rendition of 2013 Porsche Cajun Small SUV

It's no secret that Porsche is working on a new model to further expand its range in the SUV segment. In fact, the German sports car maker not only confirmed the vehicle but also announced that it is being developed under the working name "Cajun". Further details remain unknown including of course the Cajun's styling direction and whether or not it will be a three-door (most likely) or five-door model.

Nevertheless, Teamspeed member and rendering specialist Wild-Speed has come up with a styling proposal for the Cajun. The artist designed the crossover as a three-door model with a sloping roofline incorporating styling elements from the latest Cayenne, Panamera and the 918 Spyder (notice the head lamps). You can check out the renderings in high resolution after the jump.

Source: Teamspeed & Facebook/Wildspeed via Worldcarfans

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Foreign Automakers Review Relationships with Tunisian Partners, which...”happen” to be Relatives of the Ousted President

The looting of the Ferrari 599 GTB owned by former Tunisian president Zein al-Abidine Ben Ali and the smashing of cars owned by his relatives including a Ferrari California may have been eye-catching in an offbeat sort of way, but there are more important automotive-related stories coming out from Tunisia.

It has been reported by several news agencies that Tunisians are also destroying random vehicles made by Kia, Fiat, Porsche and other makers. The reason? Because the companies that distribute them are controlled by members of the ruling family. Now, in light of all the latest developments, many international automakers are reviewing their business ties to the extended family of Zein al-Abidine Ben Ali, according to the Financial Times.

The daily newspaper said that up until now, the country's car market, which totaled just under 60,000 units in 2010, was heavily regulated by its trade ministry that favored importers controlled one way or another by relatives of the former president or his wife, Leila Trabelsi.

Companies controlled or owned by the family members of the ousted presidential couple include:

-Ford, which sells cars in Tunisia through a company partially owned by Belhassen Trabelsi, the former president’s brother-in-law;

-Ennakl, a dealer for Porsche, Volkswagen, Audi, and Seat controlled by Mohamed Sakher al-Materi, the president’s son-in-law;

-Kia, which distributes its models through City Cars, part of the El Materi Princess Holding, another company controlled by the former president’s son-in-law, Mohamed Sakher al-Materi;

-Le Moteur, which acts as an importer for several companies including Mercedes-Benz and Fiat, and is owned by Marouane Mabrouk, the deposed president’s son-in-law;

-Peugeot, which is represented by Stafim, a company in which Mehdi Belgaid – said to be engaged to Halima Ben Ali, the former president’s daughter – owns a stake;

Some carmakers such as Audi have stopped exporting their cars to the country because they are not sure if they would clear customs as well for their safety once they arrive on the dealer lots. The financial daily quoted Audi as saying; “We will have to look at whether we can continue doing business with this partner and whether they are the right partner for us. ”

Ford said it also looking into the matter and reassessing ties with its Tunisian importer, while Mercedes-Benz said it found no wrongdoing on behalf of Le Moteur but will monitor the situation. A Peugeot spokesman said the automaker will wait to see what the new government will do with companies associated with the president's family.

Other carmakers, including Kia and Porsche, said that for the time being, they will continue to do business as usual with their partners. Porsche in particular said it has no plans to change its arrangement with Ennaki “as long as the company is operational and paying for cars”.

The newspaper said that Fiat "would not comment on its business in Tunisia, or its local partner."

Source: Financial Times

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Techart Rolls Out GrandGT Styling Program for Porsche Panamera

Seen for the first time at the Auto Zurich Car Show last December, Techart's GrandGT styling program for the Porsche Panamera is now available for sale. The tuner's box of goodies include a full carbon fiber body kit complemented by beefier alloy wheels, and a variety of cockpit modifications.

The exterior styling kit starts off with a new front bumper cover with the front grill insert and splitter in carbon fiber and continues with wider front and rear fenders, side skirts, a rear bumper with a diffuser, and a deck lid spoiler. A choice of alloy wheels in sizes 20- to 23-inches complete the new look.

The interior package offers buyers a variety of customizations ranging from carbon-fiber trim and Alcantara seats to illuminated door entry guards in a carbon fiber finish.

The tuner can also satisfy power-hungry drivers with several performance upgrades including a 571HP kit for the range-topping Panamera Turbo.

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Porsche Announces New Limited 911 Carrera Black Editions

The new generation of the Porsche 911 is in the final stages of development, but we still have some time before it dazzles its way to the motorshow catwalks. To keep the momentum rolling until its presentation later this year, Porsche decided to launch yet another limited run version of the current 911 called the Black Edition.

This time, Porsche's new special is based on the entry-level 911 Carrera Coupe and Convertible models boasting a black theme inside and out, and adding numerous extras and features. Production will be limited to just 1,911 examples worldwide with sales to start around April.

Both Black Editions are painted in plain black as standard, with Basalt Black metallic available as an option, while the folding hood of the Cabriolet model is trimmed in black cloth. Other styling highlights include the 19-inch 911 Turbo II forged alloy wheels with a glossy black trim and the black-finished, four-piston aluminium monobloc fixed brake callipers.

Inside, the driver and passenger are first greeted by the black lettering on the stainless steel door entry guards. The cars also get a black leather interior, a SportDesign steering wheel and a numbered plaque on the glove compartment lid, while the decorative fascia strip, gear lever and air vents are all finished in aluminium-look paint. Finally, the rear center console is painted in the exterior color.

Standard features include a 385W BOSE Surround Sound-System with 13 loudspeakers (twelve in the Cabriolet), satellite navigation, ParkAssist, cruise control, automatic dimming anti-dazzle interior and exterior mirrors, and rain-sensing windscreen wipers.

Power for both body styles comes from the standard Carrera 3.6-liter flat-six cylinder engine, producing 345-horses at 6,500 rpm. Coupled with the six-speed gearbox, this output delivers a top speed of 289km/h (180 mph) in both body versions. Acceleration from 0 to 100km/h (62 mph) comes in 4.9 seconds for the Coupe and 5.1 seconds for the Convertible.

Buyers can also opt for Porsche's PDK twin-clutch transmission, in which case, the Coupe accomplishes the sprint in 4.7 seconds and the Cabrio in 4.9 seconds. Those that want to dig further into their pockets can order the optional Sport Chrono Plus package that includes the "Launch Control" function, which shaves 0.2 seconds off the acceleration times of vehicles equipped with PDK.

In the U.S., the MSRP will be $81,300 for the Coupe and $91,300 for the Cabriolet, with Porsche claiming savings of around $6,000 over a similarly equipped 911 Carrera.

In the UK, the 911 Black Edition is priced from £67,270 for the Coupé and £74,958 for the Cabriolet – the same price as the standard 911 Carrera models.

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Nissan 350Z Poses as a Porsche Panamera Convertible...

[Updated gallery] The Tokyo Auto Salon is always a blast featuring all sorts of unique tuning proposals, like this here Porsche wannabe. When our Tokyo show man Phil e-mailed the above photo, we assumed it pictured a Porsche -possibly a Boxster- modified to resemble a Panamera Convertible. We were quickly proven wrong, however, when he sent over an image of the interior and some video footage revealing that the Porsche Panamera tune was actually a...masqueraded Nissan 350Z Roadster. More photos after the jump.