Autoblog

Porsche recalls new 911 models over exhaust pipe issues

Jeffrey N. Ross — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 16:33:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Government/Legal, Recalls, Safety, Porsche

Porsche, though the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, announced a voluntary recall on about 2,200 911 Carrera and Carrera 4 models built during the 2012 and 2013 model years. On cars equipped with the standard exhaust system it was found that the tailpipes could separate from the mufflers and become dangerous road debris; models that added the optional sport exhaust system are not included in this recall.

Affected vehicles were built between March and November of last year, but there have been no reports of the problem on any customer-owned vehicles. Porsche first noticed a cracked tailpipe weld on a test vehicle back in May, and since then has found similar problems on other internally owned vehicles, all with more than 25,000 miles on the clock. To fix the problem, dealers will be replacing the mufflers. Scroll down to read the official notice.

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Porsche recalls new 911 models over exhaust pipe issues originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Feb 2013 16:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Robb Report chooses Porsche 911 as its Car of the Year

Michael Harley — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 08:45:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Etc., Porsche, Luxury

Robb Report has picked the seventh-generation Porsche 911 Carrera S as its 2013 Car of the Year, saying the two-door captivated its judges with "agility, driving dynamics and balance." The German coupe bested 12 others who were also in the running - the impressive list of nominees included the BMW M5, Audi S8, Ferrari FF, Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG and the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse.

Judging involved more than just throwing darts at pictures on the wall, as the publication enlisted a panel of automotive experts to test drive each vehicle for close evaluation. The panelists included 100 members of the Robb Report Club (comprised of top corporate executives and influential readers), Editor-in-Chief Brett Anderson and automotive consultant Robert Ross. Full results of the competition will be revealed in the luxury magazine's March issue, hitting newsstands in about a week. For more information, visit Robb Report online or check out the full press release from Porsche below.

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Robb Report chooses Porsche 911 as its Car of the Year originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Feb 2013 08:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EVO "2012 Car of the Year: The Track Battles" is a sports car salmagundi

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 25 Nov 2012 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Videos, BMW, Lotus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Scion, Toyota, Luxury, MISC, McLaren

EVO has come out with another gotta-watch-it video, throwing its 2012 Car of the Year contestants around the UK's 1.5-mile Blyton Park track. It's actually a 15-minute teaser for the full-length DVD detailing the magazine's Car of the Year selection, but the tease is worth every ~~penny~~ free second.

Tiff Needell and sports car racer Richard Meaden handle the wheel duties, the two driving five pairs of sports cars: Lotus Exige S vs. Porsche Boxster S, Morgan Three-Wheeler vs. Toyota GT86, BMW M135i vs. Porsche 911, Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Black Series vs. Alpina B3 GT3, the marquee event pits the McLaren MP4-12C vs. the Pagani Huayra. After a head-to-head lap with commentary during drifts, Meaden takes each car out to set a representative lap time.

You'll find the verdicts, lots of tire smoke, and lines like "Anything you can do sideways I can do sideways" in the video below.

Continue reading EVO "2012 Car of the Year: The Track Battles" is a sports car salmagundi

EVO "2012 Car of the Year: The Track Battles" is a sports car salmagundi originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 25 Nov 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Porsche announces Powerkit upgrade for 911 Carrera S

Noah Joseph — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 09:58:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Porsche

It's been less than a year since Porsche released its latest iteration of the iconic 911 range, and along with it the more powerful Carrera S model. And already the German automaker is offering an upgrade.

Released by the Porsche Exclusive department, the Powerkit ups the output from the 3.8-liter flat six from 400 horsepower to 430. As a result, the 911 Carrera S coupe equipped with the PDK dual-clutch transmission and the Powerkit is quoted at four seconds flat to 100 km/h (62 mph), with a top speed raised by four kilometers to 306 km/h (190 mph) or 308 km/h (191 mph) with the manual. It appears to be the same package that was fitted earlier to the exclusive 911 Club Coupe.

While output and performance has been heightened, Porsche quotes no changes to the car's fuel consumption figures. The changes are carried out by a remapped ECU, new cylinder heads and camshafts, a variable intake system, an additional radiator and a low-backpressure exhaust. The Sport Chrono dynamic engine mounts are also part of the package, and there's a host of aerodynamic enhancements - including a ducktail spoiler - on offer as well.

Scroll down for the full press release and scope out the retrofitted Carrera S in the high-res image gallery above for a closer look.

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Porsche announces Powerkit upgrade for 911 Carrera S originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Jun 2012 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Porsche 911 hits U.S. dealerships

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:29:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Coupe, Performance, Porsche, Luxury

The 2012 Porsche 911 has been soaking up its share of plaudits, now its ready to soak up its share of your bank account. The "longer, lower, wider, 100-pounds lighter, faster" 911 has finally reached dealerships in its two initial guises: 350-horsepower Carrera and 400-horsepower Carrera S.

The entry model will need $82,100 of your hard earned cash, which is a $4,300 premium over the 2011 Carrera MSRP. It takes another $14,300 to affix an S to the rear end. Those prices don't include the $950 destination charge, but you wouldn't let such a tifle stand between you and history anyway, right? You'll find a press release with a few more details after the jump, then we can all turn our attention to the 911 Turbo.

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2012 Porsche 911 hits U.S. dealerships originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S [w/video]

Michael Harley — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 11:55:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Porsche, First Drives

Think Your Job Is Stressful? Try Redesigning The 911

The world's most iconic sports car, the Porsche 911, is redefined about every seven years. This is no easy feat, as each new model must not only conform to ever tightening emissions, fuel economy and safety regulations, but must be faster and more competitive in motorsports. The 911 remains one of the most successful racing cars ever built, and for many, it's not just a sports car from Porsche - it is Porsche.

Now, an all-new seventh-generation Porsche 911 Carrera has been unveiled. While the rear-engine replacement lacks serious controversy (the move from an air-cooled flat-six to water-cooled powerplant more than a decade ago was dreadfully traumatic), the new Type 991 presents altered proportions to improve passenger comfort, handling and stability. But don't think for a moment that the 2012 model has gone soft. It is much more dynamic and capable than its predecessor. To substantiate the fact, Porsche divulges that its all-new Carrera S is capable of lapping the Nürburgring's Nordschleife circuit in just 7:40 minutes. Not only is that 14 seconds faster than last year's 997, but it matches the time of the race-ready Type 997 GT3. And that's just the start.

Continue reading 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S [w/video]

2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Nov 2011 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Porsche 911 Carrera disrobes ahead of Frankfurt, priced from $82,100

Noah Joseph — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 03:00:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Porsche

Things happen in an orderly fashion in Germany. And so they do with the unveiling of new cars. The Porsche 911 most of all.

Every few years, Porsche makes enough substantial changes to its 48-year-old rear-engined sports car to categorize it as a new model. Then it begins rolling out one version after another until a couple dozen are out there, and the process starts all over again.

You may call it Sisyphean, but Porsche calls this progress. And even this process follows in an orderly fashion. So with the initial images already leaked out online and the new model's debut scheduled for the Frankfurt Motor Show next month, it only follows in typical Teutonic logic that Porsche now release the first batch of official photos and information on its new staple model.

Continue reading 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera disrobes ahead of Frankfurt, priced from $82,100

2012 Porsche 911 Carrera disrobes ahead of Frankfurt, priced from $82,100 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Aug 2011 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fifth Gear tracks Porsche 911 Carrera against Lotus Evora S

Jeff Glucker — Mon, 23 May 2011 18:59:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Videos, Lotus, Porsche

Lotus Evora S vs. Porsche 911 - Click above to watch video after the jump

How focused do you want your sports car? While you can go out and twist the track-ready dial to 11, some folks only want a dash more punch than the next guy. A daily-drivable hoon machine is what's required, and Fifth Gear lined up two of them to battle it out at the Dutch TT Circuit Assen.

The Lotus Evora S squares off against the Porsche 911, and Fifth Gear's Vicki Butler-Henderson pushes both coupes around the course. Is Germany's icon quicker than this blue British bomber? Click past the jump to find out.

Continue reading Fifth Gear tracks Porsche 911 Carrera against Lotus Evora S

Fifth Gear tracks Porsche 911 Carrera against Lotus Evora S originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 May 2011 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Porsche gives us another with the 911 Carrera 4 GTS

Noah Joseph — Thu, 12 May 2011 10:27:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Porsche

Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS - Click above for high-res image gallery

We're not exactly sure what's in the water over in Stuttgart, but something apparently makes the folks over at Porsche wake up most mornings and think, "There aren't enough versions of the 911. We should make another." It's the same time-to-make-the-donuts spirit that has already given us more than twenty versions of the iconic rear-engined sportscar, and has now given us two more in the form of the 911 Carrera 4 GTS coupe and cabriolet.

When the rear-drive Carrera GTS debuted last September, it included the wider bodywork typically reserved for all-wheel-drive models. Now Porsche has backed it up with the Carrera 4's traction, packing the same 408-horsepower 3.8-liter flat-six as its rear-drive counterpart for an identical 4.6-second sprint to 62 mph - that's in coupe form with the six-speed manual, to which you can add or subtract 0.2 seconds for the cabrio and PDK dual-clutch transmission, respectively.

A restyled front bumper with lip spoiler, side skirts, black 19-inch RS Spyder wheels and sport buckets trimmed in Alcantara round out the package, which now stands as the flagship of the Carrera range - those being the naturally-aspirated, non-Motorsport models in the 911 family. Prices start at $110,200 and spiral upwards from there. Details in the press release after the jump and high-res photos in the gallery.

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Porsche gives us another with the 911 Carrera 4 GTS originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 May 2011 10:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Update: Mini inviting 400 to watch Porsche Challenge - but who will drive the 911?

Steven J. Ewing — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 14:29:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Hatchback, Mini, Porsche, Racing

After Mini's many attempts to coax Porsche into a race, including videos, posting an online petition and even flying a banner plane over the automaker's North American headquarters, the lights have all gone dark in Atlanta, and it looks like Mini is out of luck.

But the show must go on! Even if Porsche has officially decided to decline.

Not only is Mini offering space at Road Atlanta for up to 400 people to come watch, but they're even providing a race-ready 911 Carrera S. As for who's driving, that's still up in the air. Mini posted this advertisement (right) on its Facebook page, hoping to find one brave soul who will put the mighty 911 through its paces against the Cooper S.

What's more, Mini is even offering up track time to any of the 400 guests who show up on June 21. It certainly sounds like a fun day will be had, regardless of the race's final outcome, and we're now wishing that we lived just a little bit closer to Atlanta. Remember, you can keep up to date on all of the Mini vs. Porsche happenings on Facebook.

[Sources: MotoringFile, Facebook]

Update: Mini inviting 400 to watch Porsche Challenge - but who will drive the 911? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Jun 2010 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Mini responds to Porsche, still ready to race

Steven J. Ewing — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 12:59:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Hatchback, Mini, Porsche, Racing

Mini boss Jim McDowell responds to Porsche - Click above to watch the video after the jump

We'll be honest - we were rather excited to see how a race between a Mini Cooper S and Porsche 911 Carrera S would go down. After Mini initially challenged Porsche to a trackday showdown at Road Atlanta on June 21, Porsche declined, saying that it will "stick to racing the way we have over the decades," and welcomed Mini to attend any sanctioned race where "there is more at stake than t-shirts and valet parking spaces."

Mini has had a very impressive response to this challenge, and isn't giving up. Mini USA boss Jim McDowell has issued yet another message to Porsche Cars North America CEO Detlev Von Platen saying that they're willing to raise the stakes, offering prizes such as Justin Bieber concert tickets (including backstage passes!), a lifetime membership to the Salami Of The Month club or even a (slightly used) home gym, among other things. Excellent.

We love Mini's enthusiasm over this whole event, and as we understand, Mini is even flying a banner plane over Porsche's Atlanta, Georgia headquarters with the message "Dear Porsche, Bring it. Love, Mini." Seriously. You can keep up with the whole back-and-forth on Mini USA's Facebook page. In any case, with only one week until the supposed race day, we hope Porsche will saddle up for this duel, even though Mini hasn't specified what the Road Atlanta challenge(s) will be (it could be an egg-carrying race for all we know) and Stuttgart really doesn't appear to have much to gain by picking on the little kid. Top tip, Brett!

[Source: Mini Facebook]

Continue reading Video: Mini responds to Porsche, still ready to race

Video: Mini responds to Porsche, still ready to race originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Jun 2010 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mini challenges Porsche to race at Road Atlanta [w/video]

Steven J. Ewing — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 12:30:00 EST

Mini takes on Porsche - Click above for high-res image gallery

Here's something unexpected. Mini USA has announced it's challenging Porsche to a formal race, where the go-kart-like Cooper S will take on the infamous 911 Carrera S. This may seem like a far stretch, seeing as how the Cooper is down on power by over 200 horses, but Mini is confident that its more nimble, lighter hatch can out-maneuver the big 911 on the track.

This certainly isn't the first automaker challenge we've heard of this year, and we're hoping Porsche steps up to the plate. The event will take place on June 21 (that's in two weeks!) at Road Atlanta, which as Mini points out, is right around the corner from Porsche's North American headquarters.

In the video found after the jump, Mini USA's president, Jim McDowell (a former Porsche executive, we might add), explains the whole deal, and says that if his team loses, he'll wear a shirt that reads "We did not beat Porsche" at his next public appearance. Likewise, he has a "We beat Porsche" shirt prepped for the same occasion. Mini will be hosting a live video of the event on their Facebook page, as well as more information about the event. Will Porsche send out a 911 for the challenge? We certainly hope so. Let the games begin.

Gallery: Mini Challenges Porsche

[Source: Facebook via Jalopnik]

Continue reading Mini challenges Porsche to race at Road Atlanta [w/video]

Mini challenges Porsche to race at Road Atlanta [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Jun 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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