Porsche vs London: Mayor lashes back, Stuttgart enlists help of web

John Neff — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 12:01:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Government/Legal, Green, Porsche

Ding, ding... Round Two!

Ken Livingstone, the mayor of London, has made his populous British city a very unfriendly place for motorists, and his latest plant to increase the city's congestion charge to £25 ($48.72 USD) for all gas-guzzling, carbon-spewing vehicles within the city limits has drawn the ire of Porsche. In a letter delivered to the mayor, the Stuttgart-based automaker gave Livingstone 14 days to reconsider the charge, which it considers too expensive and ineffective at reducing pollution, or else it would take the matter to the courts.

Livingstone apparently checked his mail that day, and has responded with some choice words. Accusing Porsche of imposing unnecessary pollution on Londoners, he basically compares the brand's sports cars to garbage littered on the street.

The reason Porsche is so interested in stopping Livingston's increased congestion charges is that only only two models in its current lineup, the entry-level Boxster and Caymen, are exempt from the current charge of £8 to enter a "congestion zone". Increasing the charge to £25 would no doubt tank Porsche sales in the affluent neighborhoods of London. Unfortunately, Livingstone's congestion charges have been challenged in court before and he's won each time.

Porsche UK, however, has set up a website for anyone who wishes to support its desire for a judicial review of Livingstone's plan. The automaker uses the website to lay out its argument, as well as solicit signatures for an online petition.

It looks like each side has managed to land a decent punch this round, but we're betting this fight is far from over.

[Source: PistonHeads, Forbes]

Porsche vs London: Mayor lashes back, Stuttgart enlists help of web originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Feb 2008 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Porsche breaks ground for 'Driving Experience' in Silverstone

Siddharth Raja — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 08:31:00 EST

Filed under: Porsche, First Drives

We've all seen examples of people that own performance cars but have no discernible motoring skills with which to take full advantage of their potential. That may change for Porsche drivers in the UK who are willing to learn a thing or two at automaker's new 'Driving Experience Centre' being built next to the famous Silverstone circuit. The school will ensure that new owners get well acquainted with the handling and performance characteristics of their cars.

The new center will incorporate a 3.1km test track that can be split up in four separate areas. Those, in turn, can be used individually to demonstrate different road conditions. Apart from the usual dry/wet testing, drivers will be able to simulate handling in ice and snow. Testing technologies to be featured include a 'kick plate' and split-surface wet braking. The kick plate is particularly special - it's a metal plate that sits flush with the surface of the track and can be activated when a car passes over it, causing it to lose rear grip.

Both Mercedes and Audi have opened large brand centers in the UK such as the type Porsche will be building, complete with vehicle testing tracks and other branding facilities. It's not just the owners of luxo vehicles who require these elaborate centers. We come across lots of people on our daily commute who could do with some extra training.

[Source: Porsche]

Continue reading Porsche breaks ground for 'Driving Experience' in Silverstone

Porsche breaks ground for 'Driving Experience' in Silverstone originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 Jul 2007 08:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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