Category: Porsche

Porsche has given us the best look yet at their 918 Spyder, featuring 770hp of petrol-electric hybrid power. The development phase has taken a step forward with near production-ready prototypes now under evaluation.

The overall look has moved on a little from the 2010 concept car, but the beautifully proportioned supercar shape has not been lost.

Wolfgang Hatz, Member of the Executive Board Research and Development of Porsche AG explains, “What we are doing with the 918 Spyder is redefining driving fun, efficiency and performance.”

Redefining is quite apt, too. Porsche claims the 918 Spyder can achieve these key numbers: 0-100km/h in less than 3.0 seconds, reach a top speed of 325km/h, use as little as three litres of petrol per 100km travelled and cover 25km with zero-emission electric power.

The 918 Spyder has the makings of something very special indeed.

Here’s your first look at the new Porsche Macan SUV. It’s built on the same platform as the Audi Q5, but as you can see strikes a strong resemblance to Porsche’s bigger Cayenne. If you check out the pics from Piston Spy though, you’ll see the makings of a more unique shape for the Macan. Especially over the rear quarter panels.

We expect we’ll be seeing a lot more behind the scenes Macan related guff between now and its launch in 2014.

[Source: Piston Spy]

The above image is a rendering of a new Porsche model known as the 960. It’s been nicknamed internally as “Fefi” and it’s aimed squarely at the Ferrari 458 Italia. “Fefi” meaning Ferrari fighter for those interested. Scouting the web for details of the 960 brings more questions than answers.

As you can see the image above is clearly a two-door coupé layout. However, several reports suggest the 960 will be a four-door “coupé”. That’s all well and good, but “Fefi” is also supposed to be mid-engined, possibly using the next Audi R8 platform. Certainly the use of Volkswagen Group’s new MSB-M architecture (mid-engine rear/all-wheel drive) seems to be widely accepted.

So how do you make a four-door, mid-engined supercar to take on a 458? It just doesn’t compute. The engine used in the 960 is said to be a twin-turbo flat six, but it won’t be flat enough to put seats on top!

Summing up then, I think we can expect Porsche to pursue this “Fefi” concept and it does seem to be that it will be mid-engined; sitting in the range above the 911, but below the 918. After that, though, details seem very sketchy.

[Source: Automobile | Pic: Quattroruote]

Porsche hopes its mid-size Macan SUV will discover a new high-powered nook to position itself when they stuff a 370hp (275kW) turbocharged engine under the bonnet, Autocar reports.

Currently there’s no über powerful products in the Macan’s class, although there have been reports of a 300hp Audi Q3 RS versus 320hp BMW X1 M battle in the class below. And, of course the Cayenne Turbo, BMW X5 M and the like in the category above the Macan.

According to Wolfgang Hatz, head of Porsche Research and Development, the Macan is progressing well. “It drives incredibly well and, from what we’ve seen from the competition, will be the most sporting car in its class,” he claimed. “We’ve surprised even ourselves.”

The Macan will be built on Volkswagen Group’s MLB platform and the Turbo will most likely feature a 3.0 litre V6 engine, mounted north–south, and a Torsen-based all wheel drive system.

It’s been reported for some time that Porsche will return to using four cylinder motors for its lower-spec models. Turns out the Macan could be the first to lead the charge.

[Source: Autocar]