Category: Porsche

The discovery of  a series of patent applications featuring Panamera convertible illustrations has seen thw blogosphere conclude that a Panamera Cabrio is on the cards. According to Autocar production of a topless Panamera had been shelved by Porsche officials. But their discovery of these recent patent drawings now indicate otherwise.

One thing is certain, you don’t see many open-top four door saloons these days. So, one can only imagine how much chassis stiffening is going on underneath all those doors where the lack of pillars and roof would be expected to offer a jelly-like ride. The addition of small quarter windows at the A-pillar might help ease that problem for the Panamera in a small way, but there’s still a lot of body left to support. Then there’s the added weight to consider, as well. Helping that cause is the probability that a roofless Panamera would have a fabric roof. So, Have production techniques and metallurgy improved enough to allow Porsche to offer something truly different?

More detail available from Autocar, follow the link below.

[Source: Autocar]

Porsche have announced initial details of their new Cayenne SUV ahead of next week’s Geneva Motor Show. According to Porsche, “the absolute highlight of this new generation is the world debut of the Cayenne S Hybrid”.

Indeed, the Cayenne S Hybrid is the company’s greenest car yet. Like the Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid, with which it shares many components, the enviro-friendly Cayenne is powered by a 245kW 3.0-litre supercharged V6 and a 34kW electric motor. For those playing at home that makes a total of 279kW. As far as CO2 emissions go, the Hybrid emits 193g/km. By way of example, that figure is around the same as the Volkswagen Golf R.

Unlike the Touareg we can confirm the Cayenne S Hybrid will be coming to Australia and local sales will start on 24 July. Five models will complete the Australian Cayenne range and at initial launch a 293kW 4.8-litre V8 Cayenne S and 368kW Cayenne Turbo will join the Hybrid. Petrol and diesel V6 options will follow at a later date.

Aesthetically speaking the Cayenne has been sent beauty school, and while it is an improvement on the first generation, you couldn’t say it has graduated with flying colours. The wheel design of the Turbo model, for example, is questionable to say the least.

Despite growing in size—48mm in total length, with a wheelbase increase of 40mm—the Cayenne has lost a few pounds. Up to 180kg on the S model. Coupled with improvements in engine efficiency across the board the line up of Cayenne engines to be offered in Australia actually do seem quite light on the fuel, relatively speaking. The Hybrid is the least demanding of the petrol powered models, as to be expected, and uses 8.2/100km. Surprisingly, perhaps, the 176kW V6 diesel betters this figure at 7.4l/100km. Next is the 220kW V6 petrol rated at 9.9l/100km. The normally aspirated V8 uses a respectable 10.5l/100km, while the stupidly powerful Turbo is said to use just 11.5l/100km.

These figures have been measured against the New European Driving Cycle and if they’re even moderately accurate then the Cayenne’s consumption figures are to be commended. There is room for improvement, of course, but all things said, well done to Porsche. Maybe there is more to their “intelligent performance” tag than slick marketing.

The full Euro press release and image gallery is available after the jump.

Despite claims to the contrary just a few days ago, plans are now emerging for a hybrid Porsche to be built on the 911 platform. And this is not any old half-cocked hybrid, either. Nope, Porsche are embracing the technology at full tilt by sticking a 120kW electric-gizmo-thingy in the passenger seat of the über track-only GT3 R. Let’s not forget the old-skool internal combustion power already found in the GT3 R offers some 360kW.

KERS may have been a flash in the pan in Formula One, but Porsche is adopting a similar approach with the GT3 R Hybrid. The heart of the system sits beside the driver and derives enough energy under braking to power a flywheel at speeds of up to 40,000rpm. That energy is released to two motors powering the front wheels giving a 120kW boost, offering increased acceleration out of corners and enhancing overtaking opportunities. The power boost will last for 6–8 seconds and is activated by a button on the steering wheel. On paper, it’s a pretty neat solution when you think about it.

Nothing concrete has been released by Porsche at this stage—the GT3 R Hybrid is scheduled for a public debut at the Geneva Motor Show (4–14 March). The car’s race debut is set to follow soon after at the gruelling Nürburgring 24 hour race in May. Porsche currently enjoys a four-race winning streak at the event. It is understood Porsche also hopes to use hybrid race technology at Le Mans from 2012.

[Source: Autblog via InsideLine]