Autoblog

Speculated: Volkswagen's mid-engine future

Zach Bowman — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 13:59:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Audi, Lamborghini, Porsche, Volkswagen, Rumormill

Fortitude has gone through the trouble of cutting through all of the rumors surrounding the future of mid-engined sports cars in the Volkswagen family. The site points to two different mid-engine platforms currently in development within the expansive Volkswagen ranks - one with a longitudinally-mounted engine layout and another with a transverse engine design. A number of models could make use of the side-saddle architecture, including the much-salivated-over Volkswagen BlueSport, though Fortitude says the chassis could also provide the bones for vehicles like a Porsche 914 or 356 successor as well as a new Audi racer that could sail under the R3 banner.

And what of that longitudinal design, you ask? This is where things get really fun. Fortitude says that the high-ups at Audi AG showed off a platform called the MSS on the hush-hush, and that the chassis could underpin everything from the next R8 to the Lamborghini Gallardo successor and the Porsche 918. It could even form the mold for whatever steps into the void left by the Murcielago.

Head over to Fortitude to get a closer look at the whole shebang, complete with excellent sketches of future models.

[Source: Fortitude]

Speculated: Volkswagen's mid-engine future originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Oct 2010 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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1952 356 Cabriolet crowned as America's oldest Porsche

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 19:28:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Classics, Convertible, Porsche

The oldest Porsche in the U.S., a 1952 356 Cabriolet in Oklahoma - Click above for high-res image gallery

This is Porsche's 60th anniversary in America, and the automaker began a search in August for the oldest model in the country. Today, it announced the winner: Dr. Robert Wilson's restored 1952 Strawberry Red 356 Cabriolet and its 1.5-liter, 60-horsepower tail-mounted engine. It was brought into the country by the man who brought Porsche to the country in 1950, Max Hoffman.

Turns out there's an even older Porsche here as well, although it was brought here, not sold here. Richard Brumme has a blue 1950 356 Cabriolet, one of the first produced, according to Porsche. The company also sought the oldest models from each of its twelve other lines, and incredibly, almost all of them are on the East Coast. Only two are west of the Mississippi, and one of them is in Texas. A 2006 Cayman is left alone to represent California.

A press release on the search is after the jump. Wilson's 1952 Cab will be on display at the LA Auto Show next month, and you can check out the others in the gallery of photos below and at www.Porsche60years.com.

Gallery: The oldest Porsches in the U.S.

[Source: Porsche]

Continue reading 1952 356 Cabriolet crowned as America's oldest Porsche

1952 356 Cabriolet crowned as America's oldest Porsche originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Oct 2010 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Porsche celebrating 60th year in U.S. by searching for oldest example in the country

Sam Abuelsamid — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 13:07:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Performance, Porsche

Sixty years ago, New York City businessman Max Hoffman began selling a diminutive German sports car with an air-cooled four-cylinder boxer engine hanging off the rear axle. Today, Porsche is one of the most highly respected performance brands in the world.

To celebrate its diamond anniversary in America, Porsche is inviting fans to share its favorite stories about the brand on an online family tree. Even better if you still have an old Porsche stashed away in a barn or garage somewhere, Porsche wants to hear from you. If you have the oldest car in each of a dozen model categories, Porsche will have it photographed for a special exhibit at the Porsche museum in Stuttgart. One car will be selected for display at the Porsche stand at the Los Angeles Auto Show in December. Head over to www.Porsche60Years.com to submit your story or car.

[Source: Porsche]

Continue reading Porsche celebrating 60th year in U.S. by searching for oldest example in the country

Porsche celebrating 60th year in U.S. by searching for oldest example in the country originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Aug 2010 13:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Porsche Club's 24th Annual Dana Point Concours shines through the gloom

Frank Filipponio — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Classics, Porsche, Celebrities

356 Club's 24th Annual Dana Point Concours - Click above for high-res image gallery

The 356 Club of Southern California held their 24th Annual Dana Point Concours d'Elegance this past Sunday, with nearly 300 examples of Ferry's handiwork taking their place on the grassy bluff overlooking Dana Point Harbour. Although the gloomy skies kept temps bearable, it was a great relief when the sun finally broke through and quashed any chance of rain.

The 356 Club puts on this annual Porsche fest, so it's not surprising that those models made up more than half the field, but they let others play in their sandbox too, so there were plenty of 911s to join the iconic overturned bathtubs, and even a few non-Porsches were allowed into the park. Check out the gallery we put together and you'll see some of our favorites: 904 Prototype, Glockler, Carrera 2, Carrera GT, Speedster, 550 Spyder, Continental, 934, 930, 914, Carrera RS, GT3 RS...the Porsche Diesel tractor, VW Buses, a pair of Enzmanns, and even an MG. It's a pretty amazing show every year, especially for a regional club, attracting several cars from out of state and a couple of celebrities too. Where else can you have those beautiful views, so many amazing cars and enjoy Porsche tractor rides too? Check out the gallery below.

Gallery: Porsche Club's 24th Annual Dana Point Concours

Porsche Club's 24th Annual Dana Point Concours shines through the gloom originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Jul 2010 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Manufacturing questions standing in the way of Audi R4 production

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 10 May 2010 14:01:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Plants/Manufacturing, Audi, Porsche, Volkswagen, Diesel, Luxury

Audi e-tron Detroit Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

According to Autocar in the UK, which is citing unknown "high-ranking Audi insiders in Ingolstadt," the future of the Audi R4, Volkswagen BlueSport and possibly an unnamed entry-level model from Porsche (we vote 914) are currently being mulled by the three-headed German automaker. The major stumbling block? Whether or not a stamped steel architecture or Audi's familiar aluminum spaceframe chassis should be used.

Naturally, we'd argue for the light weight of aluminum, which seems more appropriate for a line of sportscars... but at the price point afforded by the much less expensive steel. Decisions, decisions. In any case, the British mag continues to suggest that the R4 would presumably get two turbocharged gasoline engines (1.4-liters and 1.6-liters) along with a 2.0-liter turbodiesel mill in lieu of the all-electric powertrain shown off in concept form.

Volkswagen, parent company of both Audi and Porsche, is said to get the final say in the development of all three machines, but some sort of production seems likely. Says the unnamed insider, "Scale is important to a project like this... But with three different car makers working to a common goal, the chances [of it getting the go-ahead] look good."

Gallery: Detroit 2010: Audi e-tron Detroit Concept

[Source: Autocar]

Report: Manufacturing questions standing in the way of Audi R4 production originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 May 2010 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Happy Anniversary: Porsche marks 60 years in the U.S.

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 19:27:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Porsche, Luxury

Porsche's 60 year anniversary in the United States - Click above for high-res image gallery

It's hard to believe that 2010 marks Porsche's 60th anniversary of doing good business here in the United States. Though, you might also say that very few automakers have done as much as Porsche in such short an amount of time, which speaks volumes about the automaker's wares.

Way back in 1950, Ferry Porsche and two Austrians by the names of Max Hoffman and Johnny von Neumann got together to bring the very first Porsche 356 to New York. Ferry Porsche reportedly said he'd be happy to have just five buyers per year... to which Hoffman retorted, "If I can't sell five a week, I'm not interested."

Thankfully, there were somewhat more than five interested parties in those first few years (32 cars imported by 1951, to be exact), despite the fact that the little sportscar had but 44 horsepower from its diminutive air-cooled 1.1-liter powerplant and a sticker price that matched the standard-of-the-world Cadillac convertible of the same era. By 1954, 30-percent of all Porsche production went to Hoffman.

That took care of the eastern half of the United States, leaving the lucrative California market to be ably handled by von Neumann, who bought one of Hoffman's Porsches in New York in 1951 and drove it back to California. The rest, as they say, is history - the Far Left State would go on to become Porsche's largest single market and those early pioneers would prove to be a stepping stone to much greater things with a sportscar heritage that continues down to this day.

Read more about the 60-year history of Porsche cars in North America in the press release after the break, and don't miss the accompanying historic photos from Porsche - plus one not-so-historic shot that replicates one of the earliest photographs of a Porsche 550 Spyder in New York City. The more things change, the more they stay the same... true both of New York's skyline and Porsche's timeless roadsters.

Gallery: Porsche's 60 year anniversary in the United States

[Source: Porsche]

Continue reading Happy Anniversary: Porsche marks 60 years in the U.S.

Happy Anniversary: Porsche marks 60 years in the U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Mar 2010 19:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Volkswagen head (kinda) confirms new entry-level Porsche 356

Jonny Lieberman — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Europe, Audi, Porsche, Volkswagen, Rumormill

Volkswagen Bluesport Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

The head of the Volkswagen Group, Martin Winterkorn, spoke with Autocar about the possibility of a new entry level Porsche model. Perhaps fancifully dubbed the 356, the new model would slot into Porsche's lineup below the Boxster and Cayman. In England, the new baby Porsche would cost about £33,000, which means nothing to us here in the U.S. and is about what a base Boxster costs. That said, the article mentions the possibility that the next generation Boxster and Cayman might go way up scale.

Big question: what would this new 356 be? Autocar speculates that the 356 will be based heavily on the mid-engine architecture of the upcoming Audi R4 and the conceptual Volkswagen Bluesport. We don't know if the 356 will be strictly a coupe or also be available as a roadster. In fact, we don't even know if the R4 will be coupe-only. We'd image the two cars will have similar, if not identical, body configurations. Though not the engine. In order to keep some brand DNA in the Porsche, the 356 will ship with a new forced-induction flat-four.

Those that remember the 944 Turbo S and the 968 know this is in no way a bad thing - except the 924 Turbo's engine was the EA831 inline-four originally intended for the Volkswagen Bus and Audi 100. It was never really any good, even in turbo form. The reborn 356's mill (most likely a turbo as opposed to supercharged) should be good for around 250 horsepower - very close to where the base Boxster/Cayman currently sits. Expect the 356 to get much better fuel economy, however.

The new 356 will share a transmission with the R4. Again, the 924, 944 and 968 shipped with a modified Audi 100 transmission acting as a transaxle, so there is precedence. As to what that transmission will be, we don't know but we'd guess a DSG of some sort. Audi's R4 should arrive sometime in 2011, with the Porsche 356 bowing in 2012. Is any of this going to actually, you know, happen? Magic 8-Ball says, "Ask again later."

Gallery: Detroit 2010: Audi e-tron Detroit Concept

Gallery: Detroit Preview: Volkswagen BlueSport Concept

[Source: Autocar]

Rumormill: Volkswagen head (kinda) confirms new entry-level Porsche 356 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hemmings Find of the Day: Rare Porsche 356 Prototype hits the market

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Convertible, Performance, Porsche, Specialty

Porsche 356 Prototype - Click above for high-res image gallery

Update: Although the seller bills this car as a Porsche, Porsche historians note that it was never claimed to be a genuine Porsche and is in fact based on a VW chassis. That said...

The Porsche 356 holds a special place amongst the ranks of historic automobiles. As one of the first vehicles to wear the Porsche badge after World War II, this car has direct ties to the model that would forever define the German maker of fine sportscars. That, of course, is the iconic 911.

Collectors, take note: one of two early 356 prototypes is now up for sale, located in New York. We wonder, would that make this a 355? No, probably not. Looking over pictures of the car, it's clear to see the shape that would eventually turn into the classic 356 as well as the expected air-cooled powerplant sitting aft of the cockpit and driving the rear wheels.

Notable features that didn't make it to the production car include the front grille that directs cooling air to the rear-mounted engine and the head lamps that are sunk into the bodywork on either side. No price is listed on this particular sale, but we certainly wouldn't expect it to be sold without a large sum of money changing hands. Check out the high-res images below and click here for the car's description from the seller.

Gallery: Porsche 356 Prototype

[Source: Hemmings Auto Blog]

Hemmings Find of the Day: Rare Porsche 356 Prototype hits the market originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Dec 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Porsche club hits the road to celebrate Ferry's 100th

Frank Filipponio — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 12:59:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Porsche, Sunday Drive

PCA-GPX celebrates Ferry Porsche's 100th Birthday in style - Click above for high-res image gallery

September 19, 2009 would have been Ferdinand "Ferry" Porsche's 100th birthday, and to celebrate his centennial, the Porsche Club of America's Long Beach Region (PCA-GPX) threw a little party. And what better way to honor Ferry than with a spin in one of the most iconic Porsche's of all, the 356. About 30 of them showed up for a drive that started at Pacific Porsche in Torrance, California, and ended at the San Vicente Lighthouse in Palos Verdes. However, the event wasn't all 356s - there were a few 911s, 912s, 914s, 928s and Boxsters, plus one apparently lost Lotus Elise.

About 40 revelers met up at Pacific Porsche where bagels, donuts and coffee helped to get the cobwebs out. It was also nice to get a glimpse of the new 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 - all 3.8-liters, 435 horsepower and $135,000 of it. Even though the GT3 grabbed almost all of the spotlight, it was hard to miss the cool rug in the showroom too. It was made from old interior leather samples that had been passed through the shredder. Now, that's the sort of recycling we can get behind! After lunch orders were placed and turn-by-turn directions handed out, we hit the road. Follow the jump to tag along.

Gallery: Porsche club hits the road to celebrate Ferry's 100th

Continue reading Porsche club hits the road to celebrate Ferry's 100th

Porsche club hits the road to celebrate Ferry's 100th originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Sep 2009 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PGO Hemera, because classic good looks never go out of style

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 12:03:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Hybrid, Performance, Europe, Green

Click above for more shots of the PGO Hemera

PGO, a French automaker that many have likely never heard of, has spilled the beans on its latest new car, which actually looks a lot like an old car. In this case, though, we'll forgive PGO for copying another automaker's styling, as the Porsche Speedster that the Hemera gets its good looks from happens to be one of the most classic and perfect designs ever. To our eyes, the Hemera looks more like a modernized 356 than any current Porsche does, and that's not a bad thing. The \Hemera has another thing in common with the classic Porsche: light weight. Coming in at just 2,160 pounds, the Hemera achieves its sporty performance in much the same way that Lotus does, meaning that the Hemera's natural gas-fed, Peugeot-sourced, mid-mounted powerplant that makes all of 140 horsepower is sufficient to accelerate the car to 60 in under 7 seconds and up to a top speed of 124 miles per hour. Sure, it's not going to break any records, but that's plenty to have some fun with. Pity us here in the States - this one's a Euro-market car only and will go on sale early next year.

Gallery: PGO Hemera

[Source: 4 Wheels News]

PGO Hemera, because classic good looks never go out of style originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 23 Nov 2008 12:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Porsches and planes make for great Sunday drive

Frank Filipponio — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Performance, Porsche, Lifestyle, Sunday Drive

Click above for high-res gallery from our drive to Chino

We were recently invited along by the Porsche 356 Registry and 356 Club of Southern California for a Sunday drive out to the Chino Airport and couldn't think of any good reason to say no. Like any car club, the glue that holds these groups together are the cars they own, drive and admire. In this case it is Porsche's classic 356 and its successor, the Porsche 912. While some see these models are little more than gussied up Beetles, those in the know appreciate them for what they really are, the cars that made Porsche a household name.

Follow the jump to read more about our special day with these iconic cars and the equally legendary planes at the Planes of Fame Air Museum in Chino. And don't forget to check out the high-res gallery for your next desktop wallpaper.

Gallery: Chino Porsches 'N' Planes

Continue reading Porsches and planes make for great Sunday drive

Porsches and planes make for great Sunday drive originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 25 Oct 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Porsche No. 1 sets out for Pebble Beach

Noah Joseph — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 14:59:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Performance, Porsche, Misc. Auto Shows

Click above to view Porsche No. 1 in hi-res

If you're a regular Autoblog reader, you'll be familiar with the saga of Porsche's take-over of Volkswagen. But back in the late '40s when Germany lay in post-war shambles with its industry crippled, VW had been re-commissioned by the allies and Porsche was just getting started. Based on the mechanics designed by his father, Dr. Ferdinand Porsche led a team that crafted the very first Porsche, the original 356. That first prototype is still around, known to enthusiasts as Porsche No. 1 and destined to become the centerpiece of the factory's new museum in Zuffenhausen on the outskirts of Stuttgart. To celebrate the company's 60th anniversary, Porsche No. 1 is making the treacherous journey around the world to the United States.

The last time Porsche tried to bring 356-001 over to America, things did not go well. It was ten years ago when the company celebrated its milestone 50th birthday, and the car was badly damaged in Chicago. Long since repaired, Porsche No. 1 is on its way to the Atlanta headquarters of Porsche Cars North America before it makes the transcontinental journey all the way to California for the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, where it's sure to steal the show. Autoblog will be on the links to bring you news and images of its arrival, but in the meantime you can check out the pair of images in the gallery below and details in the press release after the jump.

Gallery: Porsche No. 1

[Source: Porsche]

Continue reading Porsche No. 1 sets out for Pebble Beach

Porsche No. 1 sets out for Pebble Beach originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Aug 2008 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lake find of the day: Porsche 356

Chris Tutor — Wed, 28 May 2008 14:02:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Porsche

Over on the Jalopy Journal's HAMB (that's Hokey-Ass Message Board, BTW) you can usually find tales of barn finds, re-purchased first cars and from-the-verge-of-death restoration projects. But every now and then there's a heartbreaking account of a car just too far gone for Bondo. If we're lucky, there's pictures.

And in the case of board member Mobile Chicane, there's several pictures of a Porsche 356 left to rust for 30 years in a Wisconsin farm pond. Chicane says the owner of the land only recently discovered the car in his pond after buying the property in 1970. Local sheriff's deputies had been using it for scuba diving practice, but the landowner offered to give it away to anyone willing to haul it out. Underwater cameras showed the car in one piece, but the Porsche split under the strain of being moved.

The new owner, Chicane, is looking it over for any identifying numbers so its history can be traced, but doesn't have much hope for success. What will be done with it is the next question.

HAMB members offer lots of encouragement in the comments like, "That'll buff right out," and "Just throw some red wheels on it," and "Now THAT'S patina!" We like the suggestion that Chip Foose have a go at it on Over Haulin.

Check our gallery for larger photos, and the HAMB for more photos.

Gallery: Porsche 356 found in lake

[Source: Jalopy Journal via Hemmings Auto Blogs]

Lake find of the day: Porsche 356 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 May 2008 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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