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Porsche delivers 14,836 new cars to customers around the world in February

Porsche delivers 14,836 new cars to customers around the world in February

By on 11/03/2015 in Porsche

Porsche has handed over more than 14,800 new cars to customers around the world during February 2015. In the first two months of this year the sports car company sold around 30,900 cars – a growth of one-third in comparison to the same period in 2014.

“We were again successful in February, throughout the world, with figures higher than last year’s”, said Bernhard Maier, Member of the Executive Board Sales and Marketing of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG.

The new Porsche Cayman GT4 and the 911 GT3 RS

The new Cayman GT4 and the 911 GT3 RS

“For 2015, we expect further momentum through the systematic expansion of our product range – at the moment, this refers to the two sportiest derivatives of the model range: the Cayman GT4 and the 911 GT3 RS.”

The Cayman GT4 and the 911 GT3 RS had their world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show last week.

On the German home market, Porsche made more than 2,000 deliveries in February, an increase of nearly 40 per cent compared to the same month last year. In Europe, last year’s figure was surpassed by almost one-half: the sports car maker delivered exactly 4,848 vehicles. Deliveries in Finland, Sweden, Belgium, Switzerland and Italy have more than doubled in each of these countries. The share of the new Cayenne S E-hybrid is very high all across Europe: just fewer than 15 per cent of the Cayenne models are equipped with plug-in-hybrid technology.

In the United States sales have slowed slightly which the company says is related to strikes in several harbours and the inclement weather. For the first two months of the ongoing year, by contrast, the American market showed a growth of 13 per cent.

PORSCHE AG Deliveries February January – February
2015 2014 Variance (%) 2015 2014 Variance (%)
World 14,836 11,061 34.1 30,880 23,286 32.6
Europe 4,848 3,332 45.4 9,359 6,236 50.0
Germany 2,035 1,456 39.8 4,100 2,937 39.6
America 3,705 3,680 0.7 8,146 7,204 13.1
USA 3,202 3,232 -0.9 7,139 6,328 12.8
Asia Pacific, Africa and Mideast 6,283 4,049 55.3 13,375 9,846 35.9
China 4,202 2,387 76.0 9,148 6,422 42.4

 

New driver combinations for the Porsche 911 RSR

New driver combinations for the Porsche 911 RSR

By on 06/02/2015 in Le Mans, SCWEC

Porsche Team Manthey has reshuffled its factory driver lineup in its two Porsche 911 RSR entries in the Sports Car World Endurance Championship WEC and at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. From the season-opening round at Silverstone on 12 April, Michael Christensen (Denmark) and Richard Lietz (Austria) will join forces in the 911 RSR with the starting number 91.

Sharing driving duties in the #92 911 RSR are the Frenchmen Frédéric Makowiecki and Patrick Pilet, who already teamed up last year to contest the second half of the season. Germany’s Wolf Henzler (#92) and Jörg Bergmeister (#91) will support the pairings as the third driver to contest the 24 hour classic at Le Mans.

Porsche 911 RSR

Sports Car World Endurance Championship WEC - GT - Porsche-911-RSR

Impressive performances in the GT works campaign and during testing of the Porsche 919 Hybrid have earned two drivers a spot in the LMP1 squad. This season, Nick Tandy (Great Britain) and Earl Bamber (New Zealand) will tackle Spa-Francorchamps as well as the Le Mans 24 Hours at the wheel of the innovative sports prototype. Teaming up with Formula 1 pilot Nico Hülkenberg (Germany), the pair tackles both races in a third 919 Hybrid.

Sports Car World Endurance Championship WEC - GT - Porsche-911-RSR

Earl Bamber, who received support as part of Porsche’s youth development programme, managed to climb the career ladder into the top tier of long distance racing in record time. After winning the Porsche Motorsport International Cup Scholarship shootout, he went on in 2014 to clinch the title in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup as well as in the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia for the second time since 2013. Furthermore, the “Kiwi” won two rounds of the Carrera Cup Deutschland and secured second place at Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta, one of the long distance classics in the USA. These successes earned him a contract as a works driver just prior to the 2015 season and he then quickly climbed the next step on the ladder into the LMP1 programme. In addition to his commitments at the wheel of the 919 Hybrid at Spa-Francorchamps and Le Mans, Bamber tackles the Tudor United SportsCar Championship in the USA and Canada with the 911 RSR.

“Receiving support from Porsche was the chance of a lifetime as a race driver,” he said.

“I’ve reached new levels in every aspect and I’ll do my utmost to justify this trust again this season.”

New driver combinations for the Porsche 911 RSR

New driver combinations for the Porsche 911 RSR

Nick Tandy also celebrated his first great success in Porsche brand trophy racing. In 2010 he contested the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup and the Carrera Cup Deutschland where he promptly snatched vice-championship honours in both series. In 2011 he secured overall victory in the Carrera Cup Deutschland and the following year picked up the Porsche Cup as the most successful private Porsche driver in the world. 2013 saw him promoted into the factory pilot squad and he went on to win Petit Le Mans as well as 2014 season-opener at the Daytona 24 Hours and the WEC race in Silverstone. He too will continue contesting GT races with the 911 RSR parallel to his LMP1 engagement.

“I’m thrilled for Earl and Nick. They’ve earned this chance with their impressive performances,” says Porsche Head of Motorsport Dr. Frank-Steffen Walliser.

“Their rise into the premier class of long distance racing not only confirms the effectiveness of the Porsche youth development concept. It also underlines the importance of Porsche’s brand trophy series as a career stepping stone for young race drivers who bring the necessary talent, a great willingness to learn and the critical will to succeed. Porsche opens all doors to those who are really fast.”

Four pilots contesting this year’s WEC season as part of the LMP1 driver lineup began their careers in Porsche’s one-make race series. In addition to Earl Bamber and Nick Tandy, Timo Bernhard and Marc Lieb climbed the ranks via the Porsche youth development programme to join the circle of the world’s best sports car pilots. These four have one thing in common: Over the course of their careers, they have all won either the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup or the Carrera Cup Deutschland: Timo Bernhard clinched the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland title in 2001 as a Porsche junior, Marc Lieb the following year, also as a Porsche junior. Nick Tandy achieved this feat in 2011, with Earl Bamber taking home the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup trophy in 2014.

Porsche testing 918 Spyder at Nürburgring in Martini Racing colours

Porsche testing 918 Spyder at Nürburgring in Martini Racing colours

By on 31/07/2012 in News

Porsche is continuing trials of its new 918 Spyder and have covered a prototype in the distinctive, sporting livery of Martini®Racing; made famous in the 1970s as the colour scheme of many successful Porsche race cars.

A fundamental element of the testing programme for the plug-in hybrid super sports car – as is the case in the development process of all Porsche cars – is the 20.8 km Nürburgring-Nordschleife race circuit. Indeed, a lap time of less than seven minutes 22 seconds around the challenging track in the Eifel region of Germany is one of the development goals of the 918 Spyder.

Porsche 918 Spyder

The 918 Spyder combines a high-performance internal combustion engine with electric motors on the rear and front axles to achieve extraordinary driving performance and excellent efficiency.

The combined system power of the drivetrain is 770 hp and the NEDC fuel consumption is forecast to be only around three litres per 100 km, equivalent to CO2 emissions of about 70 g/km. While the livery of the prototype is reminiscent of historical models, this advanced technology ensures the Porsche 918 Spyder is clearly a super sports car for the future.

The monocoque of the 918 Spyder is constructed from carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP), which reduces vehicle weight and delivers remarkable rigidity and dynamic precision. Other highlights are fully variable aerodynamics, adaptive rear axle steering and the ‘top pipes’ exhaust system which routes the exhaust upwards at the rear of the car.

The latest test car is now undergoing circuit laps in the legendary Martini® Racing colours synonymous with historic Porsche race cars, particularly from the 1970s. When they first appeared, the Martini® Racing stripes quickly attained cult status and are still in vogue today.

  • Martini® Racing colour scheme of prototype celebrates the successful partnership between Porsche and the Italian brand
  • A Porsche 917 in the distinctive livery of Martini® won the Le Mans 24 Hours in 1971
  • Martini® was the official partner of the Porsche factory team between 1973 and 1978, and the colour scheme has become part of motor racing legend

Martini® was the official partner of the Porsche factory team between 1973 and 1978. The attractively designed ‘Martini® Porsche’ race cars scored numerous wins and became the centre of attention wherever they appeared. Victories included finishing first overall in the Targa Florio, Sicily, in 1973, winning the Sports Car World Championship in 1976 and overall victories at the Le Mans 24 hours in 1976 and 1977. Previously in 1971, a Porsche 917 finished first in the legendary endurance race at Le Mans with the support of Martini®. Whether a Porsche 908, 917, 935 or 936 or one of various 911 RS or RSR models, common to all of these race cars was the memorable Martini® Racing design implemented in a wide variety of forms.

A new edition of this successful partnership is now making the Martini® Racing design exclusively available to the innovative 918 Spyder. Porsche AG and the Martini® brand, represented by Bacardi & Company Limited of Switzerland, have once again signed a partnership agreement to make this possible.

Specifications of the Porsche 918 Spyder*

Body: Two-seater Spyder; carbon fibre reinforced plastics (CFRP) monocoque interlocked with CFRP unit carrier; two-piece Targa roof; fixed roll-over protection system.
Drivetrain: Parallel full hybrid; 4.6-litre V8 mid-engine with dry-sump lubrication; hybrid module with electric motor and decoupler; electric motor with decoupler and gear unit on front axle; electrical system recuperation; four cooling circuits for motors, transmission and battery; thermal management.
Engine Power: > 570 hp (V8 engine)
~ 90 kW (hybrid module on rear axle)
~ 80 kW (electric motor on front axle)
> 770 hp (combined)
Suspension: Double-wishbone front axle; electro-mechanical power steering; multi-link rear axle with adaptive electro-mechanical system for individual rear wheel steering; optional electro-pneumatic lift system on front axle.
Brake system: High-performance hybrid brake system with adaptive recuperation; ceramic brake discs (PCCB)
Energy supply: Lithium-ion battery with 6.8 kWh capacity (BOL nominal), 202 kW maximum power and mains-compatible plug-in charger.
Performance: Top speed                                                               > 325 km/h
purely electric                                                          > 150 km/h
Acceleration: 0 – 100 km/h                                    < 3.0 s
Consumption
(NEDC):		 Total                                                                   ~ 3.0 l/100 km
CO2 emissions: Total                                                                         ~ 70 g/km
Range: Purely electric                                                         > 25 km

* Provisional specifications

Motorexpo the world’s largest free automotive event returns to Toronto

Motorexpo the world’s largest free automotive event returns to Toronto

By on 26/06/2012 in News

Motorexpo returns to Brookfield Place, in the heart of Toronto’s downtown financial district this week until Friday 29th June. The whole area will be transformed into a free-to-enjoy auto extravaganza.

Produced in partnership with Brookfield Office Properties, attendees to the 2012 Toronto Motorexpo will have the chance to check-out the hottest new automotive trends in a relaxed, business environment and enjoy unparalleled access to vehicles from many of the world’s top automotive makers. Just some of the vehicles on display for visitors to enjoy will be the Aston Martin V8 vantage, Audi A7, the all-new Bentley Continental GT and GTC V8, Hyundai’s Equus and Genesis, the new Infiniti JX, 2012 Jaguar XF, Land Rover’s LR4 HSE Luxury Limited Edition, the All-New Lexus GS, the new Porsche Boxster and the Rolls Royce Ghost, to name just a few.

“We are delighted to be returning to Brookfield Place and look forward to bringing our unique free-to-attend auto show to Toronto once again so that local residents, the downtown business population and all automotive enthusiasts can savor the latest vehicles on the market,” said Motorexpo CEO Graeme Carver.

“Our unrivalled format allows everyone the chance to get up close and personal with the latest vehicles that many of the world’s best manufacturers have to offer, all of which will be positioned throughout the world-class location that is Brookfield Place!”

“On behalf of Brookfield Office Properties, I welcome you to the 2012 Toronto Motorexpo. We are proud to once again display the newest and most dynamic automobiles from around the world to Toronto’s downtown residents, visitors and workforce,” said Brookfield Office Properties’ President and CEO of Canadian Commercial Operations, Jan Sucharda.

“At Brookfield, we strive to present engaging exhibitions and performances within the public spaces at our properties, enhancing the experience for our office tenants and visitors alike. So get ready to experience the best of what the automotive industry has to offer. We hope you enjoy the 2012 Toronto Motorexpo.”

The Toronto Motorexpo is modeled after the successful Canary Wharf London Motorexpo that has taken place annually since 1996. In the last two weeks, the London Motorexpo welcomed more than 400,000 visitors, making it the UK’s largest auto show event. Motorexpo is also a firm fixture on New York’s automotive calendar and is set to return to the World Financial Center in Lower Manhattan, also owned by Brookfield

Porsche choose Young Guns – Born to Win theme for Goodwood

Porsche choose Young Guns – Born to Win theme for Goodwood

By on 25/06/2012 in News

Porsche will once again showcase an exciting array of new, iconic and historic models at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, June 28 – July 1.

The 2012 Festival’s chosen theme is Young Guns – Born to Win, and this is particularly appropriate for Porsche given the role played by racing cars from Stuttgart in the early careers of many drivers over the years. Dan Gurney, Vic Elford, Brian Redman, Richard Attwood, Derek Bell, Allan McNish and Richard Westbrook are just a few who made their names behind the wheel of a Porsche. Many drivers, including Bell, went on to become synonymous with the marque.

A driver development philosophy lies at the core of Porsche Motorsport to this day, and the Carrera Cup GB Scholarship is a prime example. This UK initiative awards a bursary to a nominated young driver to assist them in stepping up to the Porsche Carrera Cup GB Championship. Taking part in this year’s Festival of Speed will be the 2012 Porsche Carrera Cup GB Scholar, Daniel Lloyd (20) from Huddersfield, who will be in action on the hill in his 450 hp 911 GT3 Cup race car alongside many of those famous names.

Porsche highlights at the Festival
The Porsche 911 GT3 Cup race car driven by Daniel Lloyd joins the 1962 Porsche 804 F1 car, the 917K from 1970 and 1987 Le Mans-winning 962 Group C racer on the roll call of Porsche racing machinery coming to Goodwood.

These iconic models will share the spotlight with some contemporary Porsche stars. The Festival sees the debut of the latest Porsche 911 Carrera S Coupe and Carrera Cabriolet in the Supercar Run.

In the First Glance category, the 430 hp Panamera GTS will make its first appearance at Goodwood.

The Porsche Cayenne will also be in action at the Porsche Experience Centre Goodwood area, and the Porsche display in the Moving Motor Show will showcase the latest Boxster in a celebration of the company’s roadster heritage.

The new Porsche Boxster S has arrived

The new Porsche Boxster S has arrived

By on 08/05/2012 in News

The new Boxster has arrived in Porsche Centres in the UK and Ireland. This new version from Porsche offers open-top driving enthusiasts a new generation of the benchmark roadster. With an all-new lightweight body, new flat-six engines with direct petrol injection with a completely revised chassis and evolutionary styling.

This new Porsche Boxster offers what an open-top sports car should be with its mid-engined layout that should deliver renowned poise and balance combined with precise, agile handling.

Up to 35kg lower weight, a 60mm longer wheelbase, widened track on the front and rear axles, and larger wheels and tyres significantly enhance the performance of the new car by notably increasing its stability and agility. In fact, when equipped for optimal driving dynamics the new Boxster S can lap the Nürburgring-Nordschleife in 7:58 minutes, 12 seconds faster than its predecessor.

These attributes clearly result in the new Boxster offering a superior level of performance, but also help to deliver – in combination with many other new features – up to 15 per cent greater fuel efficiency.

With its distinctive roadster styling, the new Boxster clearly signals the unique driving experience on offer; shorter front and rear overhangs, a significantly forward-shifted windscreen, and a lowered roofline all add up to an expressive, purposeful stance. The appearance of the new Boxster is inspired by its illustrious lineage and also influenced by contemporary Porsche models. There are clear references to the legendary 550 Spyder and 718 RS from the Fifties and Sixties, while subtle cues from modern-day icons like the Carrera GT and much-anticipated 918 Spyder super-sports car are also evident.

A new, fully electric hood opens to reveal a distinctive interior whose design offers the driver and passenger increased space, while the centre console – originating in the Carrera GT – further improves ergonomics.

The Porsche Boxster is powered by a choice of charismatic flat-six engines with direct petrol injection, which beat literally at its heart. The mid-mounted power unit fitted in the Boxster delivers 265 hp (195 kW) from a 2.7 litre displacement – 10 hp more than its larger capacity 2.9-litre predecessor. Technically, it is now based on the 3.4-litre engine of the Boxster S. The 3.4-litre delivers 315 hp (232 kW), 5 hp more than before. Both models feature a manual six-speed gearbox as standard, with the seven-speed dual-clutch Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) available as an option.

The philosophy of Porsche Intelligent Performance makes the new car not only the fastest Boxster ever, but also the most efficient roadster the company has ever made. When fitted with the PDK transmission and Sport Chrono Package option, the 2.7-litre Boxster sprints from 0- 62mph in 5.5 sec, the Boxster S in just 4.8 sec. Combined fuel consumption for the Boxster with PDK is 36.7mpg, and emissions of 180g/km CO2places the model in Band I for Vehicle Excise Duty purposes. The Boxster S with PDK returns 35.3mpg Combined (188g/km CO2).

Built in Zuffenhausen, Stuttgart, the new Porsche Boxster is priced from £37,589, and from £45,384 for the Boxster S.

The Boxster features an Alcantara interior, 18” alloy wheels, Auto stop/start and Sports mode, remote control hood operation, audio CD with 7-inch colour touch-screen control, a universal audio interface offering MP3 connectivity and a three year warranty.

The Boxster S adds 19-inch alloy wheels, partial leather interior and Bi-Xenon headlights in addition to the power advantage of the larger 3.4-litre engine.

All new Boxster customers can also explore the potential of their car by participating in a complimentary course at the Porsche Experience Centre, Silverstone.

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Sounds like a Porsche is the perfect Christmas gift

Sounds like a Porsche is the perfect Christmas gift

By on 12/12/2011 in News

Arriving in showrooms just in time for Christmas, the new Porsche 911 has already clinched a top motoring magazine award, adding yet another trophy to the 2011 collection already awarded to the 911 GT3 RS 4.0, Cayman R and Boxster this year.

The new 911 – Coupe of Year, Top Gear magazine

The new Porsche 911 has been awarded Coupe of the Year 2011 by Top Gear magazine.

The magazine commented: “…all things considered – its price, its performance, its economy and its emissions – it’s pretty clear we’re talking about the world’s best sports car here.”

True to the 911 tradition, the new model combines a powerful rear-mounted flat-six engine with the iconic 911 silhouette and adds more power and efficiency, less weight and a host of new technologies to further enhance the sports car driving experience.

911 GT3 RS 4.0 – Car of the Year, EVO

The iconic 911 GT3 RS 4.0 also wowed the writers on the judging panel for EVO magazine’s highly regarded Car of the Year contest.

In awarding first place to the 911, the magazine concluded: “The GT3 RS 4.0 is a pure driver’s car with a quite extraordinary naturally aspirated engine at its heart. To feel and hear this 4-litre flat-six pull from idle to its 8,500rpm red line is almost worth the asking price alone but, as ever, Porsche also provides a pretty handy and engaging chassis so that you’re encouraged to take it out and exercise it.”

The 911 GT3 RS 4.0 brings together in a road car all the attributes that have made the Porsche 911 a regular winner on the race track. Producing 500 hp, equivalent to 125 hp per litre, the 4.0-litre engine is largest and most powerful naturally aspirated engine ever featured in a 911. This can propel the 911 GT3 RS 4.0 around the Nürburgring-Nordschleife circuit in 7:27 minutes.

Porsche Boxster – Used Sports Car of the Year, What Car?

Over three-quarters of all Porsche sports cars ever built are still on the roads, and a pre-owned car is a perfect way to enter the world of Porsche. The Porsche Approved programme offers a wide choice of models in a variety of specifications to suit personal preference, each offered with the peace of mind of a two year warranty and the assurance of a thorough check-over by Porsche.

What Car? magazine commented that the mid-engined Porsche Boxster “proves that great cars don’t have to come at great expense. It’s fast when you want some fun, yet comfortable and refined when you want to take things easy…..A super-stiff chassis means the Boxster remains rock solid with the roof down, while the revvy 245 hp 2.7-litre engine is a joy, with a great soundtrack……The Boxster is a full-blooded sports car and amazing to drive, but not so raw that you can use it only at weekends.”

Porsche Cayman R – Britain’s Best Driver’s Car 2011, Autocar

Autocar declared the Porsche Cayman R as Britain’s Best Driver’s Car for 2011, after winning the annual contest run by the magazine. The comparison pitched 11 of the year’s greatest new cars against each other on the public road and race track to determine which one provides the greatest thrills for its driver.

The magazine commented: “The Porsche Cayman R’s steering is about as sweet as it gets and the ride is 150 times better than it has any right to be considering how little body movement there is when you’re really going for it. Right now this car is as good as it gets when it comes to pure driver satisfaction. And that’s saying something when the opposition is as good as it is.”

With a weight of 1295 kg and its characteristic flat six 3.4-litre engine tuned to develop 330 hp, the Cayman R embodies the lightweight, mid-engined sports car concept, offering a precise and engaging driving experience.

Porsche Cayman R – Best Sports Car 2011, CAR

The Cayman R also triumphed in CAR magazine’s ‘Best Sports Car 2011’ feature. Nine cars were thoroughly tested on road and track, and the responsiveness and chassis of the Porsche shone through.

The magazine commented; “It feels so right: light, responsive, balanced. What’s really amazing is that it takes an almost binary discipline and fills the gaps with nuances of feel and progression…It’s intuitive and fluid and brilliant….”

It has been a while since we have been in a Porsche on the road or track but from what the big motoring magazines are saying, if you get a 911, Boxster or Cayman in your stocking this Christmas you wont be disappointed!

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