TechArt Launches New Performance Kits for Facelifted Porsche 911 Turbo

Longtime Porsche tuner TechArt is at it again. This time, the object of its tuning affection is the refreshed and more powerful Porsche 911 Turbo that was revealed at last year's Frankfurt Motor-Show.

In particular, the German firm has launched a new performance kit available in two stages that provide the 911 Turbo with an extra punch and even more power.

The first stage is called the 'TA 097/T1' and it includes a recalibrated engine control unit and the use of a sport air filter. Theses upgrades add an extra 70HP bumping power up to 570HP. That allows the 911 Turbo to sprint to 100km/h (62mph) in 3.2 seconds and max out at 324 km/h or 201 mph.

On top of the aforementioned mods, the second stage kit 'TA 097/T2' also involves the installation of new manifolds and a custom sport exhaust system, pushing output to 620HP and 820Nm (604.8 lb-ft) of peak torque, up from the standard car's 500Hp and 700Nm or 516 lb-ft - with overboost.

As a result, the Porsche 911 Turbo complete the 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) sprint in 2.9 seconds, while the 200 km/h barrier is broken in 9.3 seconds and the sports car reaches a top speed of 333 km/h or 208 mph.

»»  read more

Everybody Join in! More Hedge Funds Join Anti-Porsche Lawsuit

In a continuation of the Porsche-Volkswagen takeover/stock controversy, 18 hedge funds added their names to a list of people taking Porsche to court in a $2 Billion lawsuit here in the States.

Porsche, Wendelin Wiedeking (former CEO), and Holger Härter (former CFO) are said to have committed fraud and "manipulated the market" over a four-year period in order to keep the company out of bankruptcy.

The alleged shady dealings were "an attempt to recoup large losses suffered by [Porsche, Wiedeking, and Härter] after a VW share price surge in 2008 triggered by Porsche's takeover attempt on Europe's largest carmaker."

Porsche is said to have taken advantage of "a special type of options" which can be hidden (or not disclosed) according to laws in the Fatherland, in order to prevent the public from seeing exactly how much it had invested in VW.

In a statement, Porsche said: "We are currently examining the charges made in the lawsuit's amended version and if necessary we will defend ourselves against those charges."

People in contact with the various funds taking Porsche to court say damages claimed could be as high as $10 Billion. Ouch.

By Phil Alex

Thanks for the tip Akiv! Via: FT (sub. req.)

»»  read more

SCOOP: Porsche Continues Testing of All-New 2012 Boxster

Once again, our spy photographers have snagged the brand new iteration of Porsche's Boxster model during testing in Germany.

The prototype version seen here continues to be under camouflage, though to a lesser extent than previous. According to our spies, the new model appeared to be slightly longer and wider than the current version, something that should benefit the roadster's interior space.

As with most Porsches, the exterior looks of the new Boxster will be a subtle evolution over the previous model. However, bigger changes are expected in the interior that will most likely take styling cues from the Panamera.

Underneath the sheetmetal, the Boxster's replacement will share a variety of parts with the 911.

It is expected that engineers will focus on weight reduction as one way to improve the mid-engine sport car's dynamics while it is also believed that Boxster will make use of the new aerodynamic systems like the front air intake mechanisms that is being prepared for the next 911.

The most radical change may very well concern the engine lineup as Porsche is said to be considering the addition of a high-output, turbocharged four-cylinder engine to the Boxster range. This move could help the company offset larger vehicles like the Cayenne and reduce fleet average CO2 emissions.

Either way, the flat six engines are likely to continue to be offered in the new Boxster, albeit further improved in terms of power and fuel efficiency.

»»  read more

VIDEO: Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid hits the Nurburgring

Remember the Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid that was revealed at the Geneva Motor Show this past March? Well, Porsche has released a new video of its hybrid racer with which it will compete at the Nürburgring 24 hour race on 15/16 May.

Williams Formula 1 pilot Nico Hülkenberg tested the orange and white liveried 911 GT3 R Hybrid on the Nordschleife in the lead up to the third round of the VLN Long Distance Championship. Check out the video after the jump.

»»  read more

Porsche Recalls Every Single Panamera...on the Planet

Porsche announced today that it will be recalling all of the Panameras it has sold to date due to a seatbelt issue. That's 11,324 cars.

The problem is that the front belts' mounts "could fail when the front seats are adjusted in an extreme forward position."

With a target of 20,000 worldwide Panamera sales, and the recent announcement of a 300-horsepower V6 model, I'm willing to bet this won't hurt the company's goal too badly.

So far no accidents or injuries have been reported.

By Phil Alex

Thanks for the tip Matt!

Via: News

»»  read more

More Than 900 Buyers Express Interest in Porsche's 918 Spyder Hybrid

Porsche's 918 hybrid super car may have as many as 900 serious fans, a number which will likely be used to help executives make a decision on putting the green Carrera GT successor into production, according to a report from Bloomberg news.

The Porsche 918 concept, which made its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year, is powered by a 500-horsepower 3.4 liter V8 hooked up to electric motors which should return 78 mpg (3 liters / 100km), hit 100km/h (62mph) in 3.2 seconds, and speed around the 'Ring faster than its predecessor, the Carrera GT

It would need at least 1,000 committed parties to create a "sound business case", according to Wolfgang Dürheimer, Porsche development head.

During the auto show in Beijing, Dürheimer said, "I'm confident that we will soon reach the threshold of 1,000." Me, too.

By Phil Alex

Via: Bloomberg

»»  read more

Only in China: A Porsche Cayenne Clone with a Bentley Snout by Huatai

Just when you think we've seen it all from China's clone-loving auto manufacturers, along comes Huatai with this gem: the oh-so Porsche Cayenne-ish B35 SUV that was caught here by photographers as it was unloaded off a truck.

Set to make its world premiere at this month's 2010 Beijing Auto Show, the Huatai B35 "improves" upon the first generation Cayenne's looks by adopting a very Bentley-like fascia with a large chrome grille.

There's little news on the SUV's mechanical hardware but don't expect to find any V6 or V8 powertrains under the hood...

Via: Jalopnik , Autohome and Sohu

»»  read more