Autoblog

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.

Continue reading Porsche announces Powerkit upgrade for 911 Carrera S

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.

Continue reading 2012 Porsche 911 hits U.S. dealerships

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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Porsche's latest 911 to last fourteen years, dowsized turbo engines under development

Noah Joseph — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 15:02:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Porsche

The new 991-generation of the Porsche 911 is now upon us, with the Carrera and Carrera S coupes unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show. So what do you think? Because love it or hate it, it'll be around for a while; 14 years, if the latest reports prove accurate.

According to Car, the new 911 will be around for two seven-year product lifecycles. And over the course of its life, you can bet that it'll spawn as many derivatives as the model it replaces.

First down the pipeline will reportedly be the Cabriolet, expected to arrive in both regular (3.4-liter 350-horsepower flat-six) and S (3.8-liter/400hp) versions in 2012 with semi-rigid folding panels under a new type of fabric that will look like an ordinary convertible but offer more solidity once up and folding beneath a hard boot instead of a fabric tonneau cover.

Towards the end of next year, we're to expect the all-wheel-drive Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S, followed by the 520-horsepower twin-spool 911 Turbo in 2013 and Turbo Cabrio in 2014, with the enthusiast's favorite 911 GT3 also arriving in 2013. The 911 Targa is tipped to go back in late 2013 or early 2014 from its sliding glass roof to a more conventional removable panel, with Speedster and hybrid versions also under consideration.

Porsche is also said to be developing a new generation of smaller-displacement turbo sixes to fit into the 911 in place of the ever-growing unit that has ballooned to as much as a four full liters in the GT3 RS 4.0. How Zuffenhausen will then differentiate the 911 Turbo when they've all got spools remains to be seen, but we'll reportedly have until 2015 to find out.

Porsche's latest 911 to last fourteen years, dowsized turbo engines under development originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 15:02:00 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.

Continue reading Porsche gives us another with the 911 Carrera 4 GTS

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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Spy Shots: Porsche 911 shows off its new lines

Steven J. Ewing — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Porsche

Next-generation Porsche 911 spy shots - Click above for high-res image gallery

Perhaps one of the most iconic automotive shapes of all time is that of the Porsche 911. Its signature lines are only mildly tweaked with each new generation, creating an evolutionary design that has only occasionally had some questionable fittings (we're looking at you, 996 fried egg headlamps).

Our trusty spy photographers just sent along these shots of the next 911 coupe and cabriolet out testing in Europe. In previous spy sets, a heavy plastic shell covered most of the 911's exterior, but now the prototypes are nearly naked, showing off the more chiseled lines of the iconic Porsche. LED turn indicators are found up front and more pronounced air vents flank the sides, but what we find most interesting is the more sculpted rear deck with its retractable spoiler. From some angles, we'd even say that the 911's rump is reminiscent of current Aston Martin designs.

Expect to see the new 911 debut sometime during the 2011 auto show circuit (we're thinking Geneva). For now, have a look at these latest spy shots in our high-res gallery below.

Gallery: Spy Shots: Porsche 911 Coupe and Cabriolet

[Source: KGP Photography]

Spy Shots: Porsche 911 shows off its new lines originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Nov 2010 12:30:00 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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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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The Sound of Music: Porsche offers new exhaust on 911

Noah Joseph — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 13:28:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Porsche

Click above to view Porsche's new sport exhaust in high-resolution

Premium sportscar buyers expect their exotic machinery to sound as good as it looks and goes. Few automakers recognize this as well as Porsche, which has announced the availability of a new variable exhaust system for its mainstay 911 range.

The new sports exhaust, with a pair of dual exhaust tips protruding from beneath the car's tail, is adjustable from inside the cabin, varying the exhaust note according to engine load and speed. The system will be available from April on the latest 911 Carrera and Targa 4 for a $2500 premium, and can be retrofitted to existing models as well. Follow the jump for the full press release.

[Source: Porsche]

Continue reading The Sound of Music: Porsche offers new exhaust on 911

The Sound of Music: Porsche offers new exhaust on 911 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Jan 2009 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In the Autoblog Garage: 2008 Porsche Carrera S

Sam Abuelsamid — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 11:59:00 EST

Filed under: In the Autoblog Garage, Performance, Porsche

Click above for high-res gallery of the Porsche Carrera S

As we approach the 45th birthday of the Porsche 911 and the dawn of yet another generation, we've finally managed to snag one in the Autoblog Garage for a full review. The 911 is the most direct descendant of the very earliest sports cars to wear that legendary German automotive name. It still uses the same basic layout as the first Porsche, the 356 (except for prototype No.1, which was mid-engined) with a horizontally opposed engine hanging out behind the rear axle. Of course, the 911 has two more cylinders now, and these days the engines are cooled by liquid rather then air, but the basic premise remains.

Even though the 911 has gone through five generations, with another refresh for 2009 arriving momentarily, it remains instantly recognizable as what it is. Even with what some may consider an archaic drivetrain layout, the 2008 Porsche Carrera S remains one of the finest sports cars in the world. Follow the jump to find out how it performed in our garage.

Gallery: In the Autoblog Garage: 2008 Porsche Carrera S

Continue reading In the Autoblog Garage: 2008 Porsche Carrera S

In the Autoblog Garage: 2008 Porsche Carrera S originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Aug 2008 11:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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