Porsche Does The Electric Slide

Hybrids. Blech. Sick of hearin’ about em. I don’t know if you are too. Electric motors, like CVT’s, don’t do a whole lot for me. I like gasoline engines, the sound of a working valvetrain, the ticking of injectors, the blare of quad exhaust pipes on the back of a Carrera S as it pulls off of a stoplight. I doubt Porsche really likes hybrids either, which is why it’s been doing them it’s own way. In the past few days, details have snuck out regarding two Porsches with electric motors, and both are interesting from an enthusiast perspective.

First up is the Boxster E. Oh, lord – an Electric Boxster? That’s just what we need. Take the flat six out of the world’s most balanced, neutral automotive chassis and shove in a DC Brushless and some batteries, then let me go take a nap. Actually, don’t hang yourself yet! First of all, there are only three of them, and they’re prototypes, not production vehicles. Porsche is using these Boxster E prototypes to evaluate an all-electric powertrain, and they’ll be rolling around Stuttgart accumulating miles and data. Not a whole lot has been said about the technical specifications, besides the fact they use two electric motors that combine to make 180kW (241bhp) and are powered by a 29KwH battery pack, which is pretty strong. Performance should be similar on the low end to a regular Boxster, but all they’ve given us is a German-language press release and a picture of this vinyl-slathered Boxster, so stay tuned.

More important to consumers who want to buy a car, is the new Panamera S Hybrid. While on paper this combines two of my least favorite things (the Panamera, and Hybrids), the technical specifications are pretty impressive. Under the hood is Audi’s 3.0L supercharged V6 (used in the S4, A6, Q7, etc as well as the Cayenne Hybrid) with 333bhp. This is mated to an electric motor producing 47bhp, for a total of 380bhp. The electric range is about 2km on electric power only, at speeds up to 53mph, although the Panamera S hybrid can be propelled by either or both. The electric motor also acts as the starter for the gas engine as well as a generator (instead of an alternator) for the electrical system.

All that power is sent to the rear wheels through an 8-speed automatic transmission, and both performance and fuel economy figures are eye-opening. The Panamera S Hybrid will hit 60mph in 5.8 seconds, with a top speed of 168 – hardly a Prius. Fuel-economy figures depend on whether or not the car is fitted with the optional Michelin low-rolling-resistance tires (which seems like an awful idea, honestly) – an average of 33.1mpg on the US with standard tires, or 34.6 with the Michelins. Coincidentally, that makes it the most efficient Porsche ever made – which is like saying you’re the sexiest spelling-bee champion ever, but alright.

Are having crappy, squalling tires on your Porsche worth 1.5mpg? Probably not. Especially when you consider the Panamera’s pricetag: in Europe, where it goes on sale in June of this year, you can pick one up from €106,185. When it goes on sale in the US, it’ll be priced right around $95,000 minus destination fees. The S Hybrid will include adaptive air suspension with PASM, as well as a hybrid-specific display that will monitor system states. Consider though, that the Lexus LS600hL is about $20k more expensive than the Panamera Hybrid S, is significantly more complicated (5.0L V8, complex gear-based CVT, AWD) and doesn’t return nearly as good gas mileage. And let’s not even talk about Mercedes’ oddly-position S400 Hybrid, which is a bit of a snail (0-60 in 7.2 seconds) and can easily top $100k with options. Will the S Hybrid be a big seller? Time will tell. In the mean time, look out for more details and pictures as we approach the Geneva show, where Porsche will be debuting the big hybrid sedan.

READ MORE - Porsche Does The Electric Slide

Porsche 911 Turbo S unveiled with 530 HP of goodness

The wunderkinds in Wiessach have wrought a new head of the family in the form of the 2011 911 Turbo S, the first 911 S model in five years and the first for the 997. In Porsche parlance, the S suffix generally means more power and better handling, and this car appears ready to live up to the badge.

As we surmised last August, the twin-turbo flat-six is boosted to 530 horsepower, though it sips fuel at the same rate as the "base" Turbo's with its 500-horsepower engine. All that power and 516 pound-feet of torque are transferred to all four wheels – now 19 inches in diameter with center locking nuts – through Porsche's seven-speed PDK dual clutch gearbox, and a torque vectoring system helps point the car directly where the driver wants it. 0-62 miles per hour should arrive in 3.3 seconds and top speed is pegged at 196 mph. For comparison's sake, the almighty 911 GT2 makes the same amount of horsepower (530), is slower to 62 mph at 3.7 seconds, but beats the new 911 S at the top end with a 204-mph terminal velocity.

Both fixed and folding roof versions of the Turbo S will officially debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month and go on sale in Europe in May. The coupe will cost €173,241 including 19 percent VAT (the actual base price is €145,400), while the Cabriolet goes €184,546, also including the 19 percent VAT (base price €154,900). U.S. market models should follow soon after.

[Source: Porsche]

READ MORE - Porsche 911 Turbo S unveiled with 530 HP of goodness

RUF Developing Electric Test Vehicles Based on the Porsche 911 Carrera

Porsche tuner RUF Automobile is developing ten electric vehicles with three different powertrains based on the 911 Carrera (997), which will be put to the test in “real life situations”. The prototypes are being manufactured in cooperation with German electronics giant Siemens AG and are going to be presented in the first half of 2011. The three eRUF variants feature a single motor concept, twin motor concept with 2-speed gearbox and twin motor concept with torque vectoring.

The first powertrain comprises a 180 kW (241HP) electric motor, 29 kWh lithium-ion battery and standard Porsche gearbox used for speed reduction. The setup offers an estimated driving range of 150 km (93 miles) and decent performance: 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 7 seconds and a top speed of 220 km/h (137 mph).

The prototypes using the twin motor concept are even faster, reaching 100 km/h (62 mph) in about 5 seconds, while also maxing out at 220 km/h or 137 mph. Two synchronous electric motors deliver 250 kW (335HP) and are coupled to a 2-speed automatic transmission. The more potent battery pack (36,6 kWh) extends the driving range to 200 km (124 mph).

Last but not least, the third variant uses the same twin motor setup, while adding torque vectoring into the mix as well. Engineers mounted two separate gearboxes into the car, each powering a rear wheel. Acceleration and driving range are the same, however estimated top speed decreases to about 180 km/h (112 mph).

The field test are expected to provide important data on the different battery and powertrain setups, which will be handed over to the German Federal Ministry of the Environment, also involved in the project.

eRUF variants [Press Release]

1. Single Motor Concept
- Base vehicle, Porsche 997 Carrera
- Electric motor (180 kW) and inverter from Siemens AG
- Porsche production gearbox used for speed reduction
- Lithium-ion batteries with an energy capacity of 29 kWh
- Integrated charger, DCDC-converter, plug, socket and charging cable
- interior heating
- Data recording unit for analysis and documentation of the charging/ discharging, journey and component data
- Driving range approximately 150 km, maximum speed about 220 km/h, acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in about 7 seconds
2. Twin Motor Concept with 2-speed Gearbox
- Base vehicle, Porsche 997 Carrera
- Two transversely mounted Siemens synchronous electric motors (250 kW) with double inverters
- Automatic 2 speed gearbox, limited slip differential
- Liquid cooled and heated lithium ion battery with an energy capacity of 36,6 kWh
- Integrated charger, DCDC-converter, plug, socket and charging cable
- interior heating
- Data recording unit for ananlysis and documentation of the charging/ discharging, journey and component data
- Driving range approximately 200 km, maximum speed about 220 km/h, acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in about 5 seconds
3. Twin Motor concept with Torque Vectoring
- Base vehicle, Porsche 997 Carrera
- Two transversely mounted Siemens synchronous electric motors (250 kW) with double inverters
- Two seperate angular bevel gearboxes for independent rear wheel drive
- Liquid cooled and heated lithium ion battery with an energy capacity of 36,6 kWh
- Charging via inverter, DCDC-converter, plug, socket and charging cable
- interior heating
- Data recording unit for analysis and documentation of the charging/discharging, journey and component data
- Driving range approximately 200 km, maximum speed about 180 km/h, acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in about 5 seconds

READ MORE - RUF Developing Electric Test Vehicles Based on the Porsche 911 Carrera

Porsche BlueSport back on

Martin Winterkorn - Porsche's new boss - wants Porsche to build a BlueSport RoadsterThe changing fortunes at Porsche are bringing fresh thoughts on the future of Stuttgart. It’s not very long since Porsche stated that they would not build a BlueSport Porsche, but it looks like the new Porsche boss Martin Winterkorn has very different ideas. But as the boss of VW, that’s hardly surprising.

In an interview with Manager Magazin in Germany, Winterkorn has been letting loose a few thoughts on Porsche’s future, which includes doubling the current production to 150,000 cars a year. But, however successfull a Porsche BlueSport may be, its never going to account for 75,000 sales a year. So what else does Herr Winterkorn have up his sleeve?

Well, quite a few interesting possibilities, it would seem. Remember the talk of a mini Cayenne – the so called Porsche Roxster? Well, that’s very much on the cards and could be based off Audi’s A5 platform. Which does make a lot of financial sense. The Cayenne itself is based on the same platform as the Audi Q7, and has sold very well. And the cost-sharing of the platform is a great way to go.

But what else? Well, something we put up as a possibility a while ago – a new Panamera-based Porsche 928. The Porsche Panamera is crying out to be slimmed and pimped, and what better thing to do than make it a two-door coupe, just like Porsche’s last V8, front-engined Coupe – the 928?

Lots of interesting possibilities. No doubt the Porsche-philes will have apoplexy at the thought, but it’s the best way to get back the investment for VW.

Plus of course it does mean that the money will always be there to continue developing the 911 for the next 500 years.

READ MORE - Porsche BlueSport back on

Porsche Quietly Rolls Out Pure-Electric Boxster E Prototypes

In a German-language only press release and without much fanfare, Porsche announced the introduction of a trio of electric-powered Boxster E prototypes. Over the next few months, these pure-electric test vehicles will be trialed in and around the city of Stuttgart to provide feedback on the feasibility and usability of the concept in everyday use.

Porsche is keeping mum on most of the details surrounding the three prototype Boxster roadsters simply stating that the cars are equipped with two-electric motors that deliver up to 180kW or 241-horsepower, and are fed through a 29-kWh battery package.

READ MORE - Porsche Quietly Rolls Out Pure-Electric Boxster E Prototypes

SpeedART Goes Extra Wide with New Porsche Cayenne Titan EVO-XL 600

Even though the Essen Motor Show sounds like a more appropriate event for a tuning proposal like the Titan EVO-XL 600, the crew at SpeedART has decided to unveil its latest offering for the 2011 Porsche Cayenne at the Geneva Motor Show this March. If the Cayenne Titan EVO-XL looks familiar, that's because it's wider-body version of the Titan EVO (hence the XL in the name).

The body kit includes a front bumper, rear bumper, a bespoke roof spoiler and extra wide fender flares with matching side skirts. A set of massive 23-inch forged alloy wheels with 315/25 ZR23 tires work with a lowering kit to complete the new look. SpeedART also has a variety of customizations available for the Cayenne's interior, ranging from carbon shell-type seats to a multi-media-unit with iPad and iPod-docking-station.

The German tuning firm provides a standard power kit for the Cayenne's 4.8-liter V8 turbo engine comprising of an ECU tune and a modified exhaust system with an optional switch to control the exhaust note, which help lift output from 500HP and 516 lb-ft to 600HP and 627 lb-ft. SpeedART said it is currently developing a stage two kit that will push output up to as much as 700-horsepower.

READ MORE - SpeedART Goes Extra Wide with New Porsche Cayenne Titan EVO-XL 600

New Panamera S Hybrid is The Most Fuel Efficient Porsche of All Time

Just as we suspected when Porsche first announced its plans to present a brand new hybrid model at the Geneva Salon, the German firm's 'surprise' is indeed the Panamera S Hybrid. According to the automaker, the new 380HP hybrid GT is the most economical Porsche of all time with a combined fuel economy of 6.8 lt/100km or 34.6 mpg US, and also boasts the lowest CO2 output of any large sports sedan in the luxury segment with 159 g/km (both figures achieved with the optional low resistance tires).

The latest addition to the Panamera family makes use of the same powertrain found on the Cayenne hybrid mating a 333HP 3.0-liter supercharged V6 sourced from Audi to a 47 hp (34 kW) electric motor for a combined output of 380HP. Both motors are capable of powering the Panamera S Hybrid either alone or in combination, while the electric motor also operates both as a generator and a starter.

The electric motor is fed by a nickel metal hydride battery (NiMh) where the electrical energy recovered from braking and driving is stored. Power is transferred to the rear wheels by the familiar eight-speed Tiptronic S.

Porsche says the Panamera S Hybrid can complete the standard sprint to 100 km/h in 6.0 seconds (0-60mph in 5.8"), and reach a top speed at 270 km/h (168 mph). The range in purely electric mode is approximately two kilometres (1.24 miles) with electric driving possible up to 85 km/h (53 mph), depending on the driving situation.

When fitted with the optional lower-rolling resistance all-season tires from Michelin, the Panamera hybrid consumes on average 6.8 lt/100 km (34.6 mpg US.) with CO2 emissions of 159 g/km. With the standard tires, the hybrid model returns 7.1 lt/100 km (33.1 mpg US) with 167 g/km of CO2.

All Panamera S Hybrid models will come fitted as standard with the adaptive air suspension including the adaptive shock-absorber system with PASM, as well as a bespoke display concept that provides the driver with relevant information about the vehicle’s specific hybrid driving status.

The Panamera S Hybrid will enter the European market in June 2011 and cost €106,185 in Germany, including VAT and country-specific equipment, while sales in the States will start a little bit later in 2011 at a base suggested retail price of $95,000 excluding destination (€70,320).

READ MORE - New Panamera S Hybrid is The Most Fuel Efficient Porsche of All Time

VIDEO: Porsche's 34.6 MPG 2012 Panamera S Hybrid on the Move

Porsche is out to prove that luxury sports saloons can offer exceptional fuel economy and low emissions without losing on performance with its new Panamera S Hybrid model, the first details of which were released earlier today. Shortly after the presentation Porsche also published a short video of the hybrid model in motion, which you can check out after the jump.

The newest member of the Panamera family puts out a combined 380HP from a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 and an electric motor, for a 0-60mph time of 5.8 seconds, Porsche said the hybrid model returns a combined fuel economy of just 6.8 lt/100km (equal to 34.6 mpg US) in the European cycle when equipped with low-rolling resistance tires, with CO2 emissions of 159 g/km, the lowest in its segment.

READ MORE - VIDEO: Porsche's 34.6 MPG 2012 Panamera S Hybrid on the Move

VIDEO: Porsche's 34.6 MPG 2012 Panamera S Hybrid on the Move

Porsche is out to prove that luxury sports saloons can offer exceptional fuel economy and low emissions without losing on performance with its new Panamera S Hybrid model, the first details of which were released earlier today. Shortly after the presentation Porsche also published a short video of the hybrid model in motion, which you can check out after the jump.

The newest member of the Panamera family puts out a combined 380HP from a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 and an electric motor, for a 0-60mph time of 5.8 seconds, Porsche said the hybrid model returns a combined fuel economy of just 6.8 lt/100km (equal to 34.6 mpg US) in the European cycle when equipped with low-rolling resistance tires, with CO2 emissions of 159 g/km, the lowest in its segment.

_______________________________VIDEO_______________________________

READ MORE - VIDEO: Porsche's 34.6 MPG 2012 Panamera S Hybrid on the Move

New Panamera S Hybrid is The Most Fuel Efficient Porsche of All Time

Just as we suspected when Porsche first announced its plans to present a brand new hybrid model at the Geneva Salon, the German firm's 'surprise' is indeed the Panamera S Hybrid. According to the automaker, the new 380HP hybrid GT is the most economical Porsche of all time with a combined fuel economy of 6.8 lt/100km or 34.6 mpg US, and also boasts the lowest CO2 output of any large sports sedan in the luxury segment with 159 g/km (both figures achieved with the optional low resistance tires).

The latest addition to the Panamera family makes use of the same powertrain found on the Cayenne hybrid mating a 333HP 3.0-liter supercharged V6 sourced from Audi to a 47 hp (34 kW) electric motor for a combined output of 380HP. Both motors are capable of powering the Panamera S Hybrid either alone or in combination, while the electric motor also operates both as a generator and a starter.

The electric motor is fed by a nickel metal hydride battery (NiMh) where the electrical energy recovered from braking and driving is stored. Power is transferred to the rear wheels by the familiar eight-speed Tiptronic S.

Porsche says the Panamera S Hybrid can complete the standard sprint to 100 km/h in 6.0 seconds (0-60mph in 5.8"), and reach a top speed at 270 km/h (168 mph). The range in purely electric mode is approximately two kilometres (1.24 miles) with electric driving possible up to 85 km/h (53 mph), depending on the driving situation.

When fitted with the optional lower-rolling resistance all-season tires from Michelin, the Panamera hybrid consumes on average 6.8 lt/100 km (34.6 mpg US.) with CO2 emissions of 159 g/km. With the standard tires, the hybrid model returns 7.1 lt/100 km (33.1 mpg US) with 167 g/km of CO2.

All Panamera S Hybrid models will come fitted as standard with the adaptive air suspension including the adaptive shock-absorber system with PASM, as well as a bespoke display concept that provides the driver with relevant information about the vehicle’s specific hybrid driving status.

The Panamera S Hybrid will enter the European market in June 2011 and cost €106,185 in Germany, including VAT and country-specific equipment, while sales in the States will start a little bit later in 2011 at a base suggested retail price of $95,000 excluding destination (€70,320).

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________

READ MORE - New Panamera S Hybrid is The Most Fuel Efficient Porsche of All Time

Porsche RUF RGT-8: RUF Stuffs A Bespoke V8 Engine Into A Porsche 911

Whilst everyone was hyped on eco-friendly Ferraris (599 hy-KERS), Porsches (hybrid race 911) and what nots recently, something quite interesting had flown under the radar. My radar to be precise. A RUF Porsche 911 with a bespoke RUF eight cylinder engine; the RGT-8. Imagine having a Porsche 911 without that beloved flat-six engine.

Sounds pretty hard to imagine doesn’t it? Of course there are people that’ll argue that this is blasphemy, raise up their hands to the heavens and ask the question ‘why’; especially when that flat six is a characterful piece of engineering and sounds quite heavenly at full blast. But with all that’s happening these days nothing is sacred anymore. We have hybrid Ferraris on display, hybrid Porsches out racing, two cylinder Fiat 500s on sale today and lots and lots of electric cars too. So what’s wrong with having a totally different engine in a Porsche 911 then? Nothing much I gather and Porsche specialist extraordinaire RUF seems to think so too as they have built a 911 prototype that is powered by their own V8 engine.

The RUF RGT-8 boasts a bespoke V8 engine that actually fits well in the tiny space occupied by the trusty flat six engines of your usual Porsche 911. The 90 degree V8 engine boasts a flat plane crankshaft, meaning it won’t make those standard V8 rumbles and woofles but it would certainly have the same high pitched shriek that you would find in a V8 Ferrari instead. It may worry some enthusiasts that would actually buy a 911 for the noise it makes (or hardly makes nowadays since the latest round of revisions have actually made the flat six pretty quiet).

Now the dry sumped 4 valve per cylinder V8 has a 4.5liter displacement and produces a very good 542bhp at 8,500rpm and 369lb/ft (500Nm) of torque at 5,400rpm. It is a rev happy normally aspirated engine and the RGT-8 would be mighty fast even without any turbo or turbos. However, I would also assume that the driver would have to work harder through the gears in order to keep the car on song, since the peak power appears high up the rev range, unlike most force fed cars.

As a benchmark, the current 997 911 GT2 makes 523bhp and a colossal 500lb/ft (680Nm) worth of torque. So it could be said that the car RGT-8 would have slightly less explosive acceleration than the GT2 but with a smooth, linear power delivery right to the end. Big normally aspirated V8s are like this. The feel that this car would give will be quite different from a massive turbocharged kick from the GT2 or even the stock 911 Turbo model.

The great thing about this V8 engine is that it weighs around 440lbs (200kg). Compare this to a turbocharged flat six with its twin turbos, intercoolers and ancillaries; the RUF V8 beats it hands down by at least a good 66lbs (30kg). Somehow all that bespoke work pays off in weight savings as it makes the rear engine 911 a good deal lighter where it counts. Weight loss is down to lots of lightweight materials; one of which are the titanium conrods fitted to the engine.

In order to ensure that the normally aspirated V8 is able to keep the 911 GT2 in its sights RUF has reconstructed the 911 from lightweight materials. The doors are aluminum, the boot lid and the quite massive rear spoiler uses carbon fiber. The 19inch alloy wheels are lightweight ones of which lightweight ceramic brakes peak through the spokes. Michelin Pilot Sport Cup are the tire of choice. A very good choice indeed.

The green colored prototype has not been officially sampled by anyone yet. So no performance figures were published by RUF as yet but I would speculate its performance to be mid to high 3seconds to 60mph (even with slightly less torque as the car is lighter) and the same 206mph (331km/h) of the GT2 is highly achievable (due to its higher horsepower figures).

I suppose the only issue to having a V8 at the rear of a 911 is on emissions then. At a time where manufacturers are cutting down on displacement and making hybrids, we now have a 4.5liter V8 in place of a 3.6liter flat-six engine. So it gains some carbon emissions, but according to RUF, it still complies with US and European emissions standards and when it is sold, it will be a low volume production engine. This means that you cannot blame it for the thinning of the ozone layer or melting some icebergs. There are too few of them to actually be the main cause of any eco disasters. Anyway, I actually honestly don’t care. A V8 basically is a good thing to have in order to live a little.

RUF has made a very intriguing Porsche with the RGT-8 indeed. This would be a Porsche 911 experience like no other. RUF intends for sales to begin in 2011, and replacing that flat-six thrum with a high pitched shriek may be acceptable for those wanting something different. Although it may confuse the heck out of people expecting to see a Ferrari tearing down the road instead of the frog shaped 911 appearing in its place. Shocking, positively shocking.

READ MORE - Porsche RUF RGT-8: RUF Stuffs A Bespoke V8 Engine Into A Porsche 911