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First Drive: 2011 Porsche Panamera conceals a V6 but gives up little else in the transplant

Michael Harley — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Hatchback, Porsche, First Drives, Luxury

2011 Porsche Panamera V6 - Click above for high-res image gallery

We're the lone vehicle in the far left lane of the Autobahn outside of Köln, Germany. The traffic has lightened, so we mash the accelerator to the floor. While we pull strongly up to about 200 km/h (about 125 mph), the speedometer counts much more slowly as it spins around the right side of the dial. Moments later, the digital indicator on the cluster passes 250 km/hr (155 mph). The late-model BMW 5 Series trailing in our wake has met its electronic speed limiter, so it slowly falls away in our rearview mirror. It takes another ten seconds for the display to stop counting and hover at 261 km/hr (160 mph). Bringing our fun to an end, traffic on the horizon forces us to drop back down to more reasonable speeds just a few seconds later.

Northern Europe is the ideal venue to drive Porsche's latest Panamera models, each fitted with new 300 horsepower 3.6-liter V6 powerplants. We spent time driving both the rear- and all-wheel drive models in crowded cities, the open countryside and unrestricted highways. Where did the new V6 come from and what makes it unique? Where does the powerplant position the Panamera in relation to its competition and what is its new price point? These answers and full driving impressions after the jump...

Gallery: First Drive: 2011 Porsche Panamera V6

Continue reading First Drive: 2011 Porsche Panamera conceals a V6 but gives up little else in the transplant

First Drive: 2011 Porsche Panamera conceals a V6 but gives up little else in the transplant originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Jul 2010 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ferrari chief reportedly admits V6 a possibility

Noah Joseph — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:28:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Ferrari

Purists who've given up hope with Porsche amidst their sedan and SUV shenanigans aren't going to like this one bit. After all but completely phasing out even the option of a manual transmission in Ferrari road cars (in favor of robotized sequentials and dual-clutch gearboxes), Ferrari's management says it can't rule out the possibility of a V6 in the near future.

The quote comes from Ferrari's chief executive Amadeo Felisa, who said that while the prospect would have been entirely dismissed as recently as a year ago, today's climate - in terms of the environment and customer conscience - precludes its being ruled out now. The last time Ferrari built a V6 (also used in Fiats and Lancias) was with the Dino 246 (pictured above) that went out of production in over a quarter century ago. The Dino is, however, fondly remembered as a classic, despite its relatively small engine.

Felisa did, however, rule out the possibility of taking future Ferraris electric-only. The Maranello-based exotic automaker is presently working on a hybrid system.

[Source: Autocar]

Ferrari chief reportedly admits V6 a possibility originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Brand new 1988 Pontiac Fiero GT on sale, just $35k!

Chris Paukert — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 16:28:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Coupe, Etc., Pontiac

Click above for a gallery of the 1988 Pontiac Fiero GT that time forgot

So you're a Pontiac diehard, but you don't need the space of the G8 GT GXP and the Solstice GXP is just a bit too "me too." So what's a Big Chief enthusiast to do? Well, if you've got $35,000 kicking around in your automotive slush fund, how about a brand-new, never-titled 1988 Pontiac Fiero GT? The mid-engined, V6 Fiero that General Motors should have been building the whole time, but only got around to developing just before they sent they took the plastic-bodied model out back? Yes, that GT.

Evidently thinking ahead, some enterprising chap found a fire-engine red example and promptly mothballed it. Quite likely the only "brand new" Fiero on the planet (GT or otherwise), this time warp rear-driver has just 221 miles on it, and is still on MSO. Heck, we're willing to bet that the cassette player has never even seen a copy of White Snake's Greatest Hits!

If you're interested, the optimistically-priced but irreplacable Fiero can be found at Hinton Chevrolet-Buick in Lynden, Washington. Thanks for the tip, Farris!

Gallery: Timewarp 1988 Pontiac Fiero GT

[Source: Autotrader]

Brand new 1988 Pontiac Fiero GT on sale, just $35k! originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Jan 2009 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda discovers 3.5L V6 more powerful than first thought

Michael Harley — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 13:57:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Sedan, Honda

There is nothing better than finding a few stray horses that were previously unaccounted for. Honda engineers were running tests on the Accord's 3.5L V6 engine when they realized it was spinning the dyno with more horsepower and torque than originally thought. It caught the Honda team off guard, as the powerplant has received no design changes to warrant the extra power. Regardless, the marketing folks have been quick to update the power ratings of the 3.5-liter 24-Valve SOHC i-VTEC powerplant. Here are the new numbers for 2009: 271 hp replaces 268 hp on all V6 models, 254 lb-ft. replaces 248 lb-ft. on automatic transmission models and 251 lb-ft. replaces 248 lb-ft. on manual transmission models. One would have to assume that the 2008 model made the same power, it just wasn't noticed... Thanks for the tip, Steve!

[Source: Honda]

Continue reading Honda discovers 3.5L V6 more powerful than first thought

Honda discovers 3.5L V6 more powerful than first thought originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Aug 2008 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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