Porsche Officially Confirms World Premiere of New Model at 2011 NAIAS

Earlier this month, we told you about Porsche spokesman Hans-Gerd Bode's interview with Bloomberg where he discussed the firm's plans to unveil a new model at the upcoming North American International Auto Show in Detroit (January 10 to 23). Today, the Stuttgart-based sports car maker made it official by announcing that it will be giving a new model its world debut at the Detroit Show. Porsche, however, did not release any information on the vehicle.

As we previously noted, Porsche's debut could be anything from a successor to the 911 series, Boxster or Cayman, to the new Cajun three-door SUV and the production version of the 918 hybrid supercar, which is pictured in these shots.

Porsche Officially Confirms World Premiere of New Model at 2011 NAIAS

Earlier this month, we told you about Porsche spokesman Hans-Gerd Bode's interview with Bloomberg where he discussed the firm's plans to unveil a new model at the upcoming North American International Auto Show in Detroit (January 10 to 23). Today, the Stuttgart-based sports car maker made it official by announcing that it will be giving a new model its world debut at the Detroit Show. Porsche, however, did not release any information on the vehicle.

As we previously noted, Porsche's debut could be anything from a successor to the 911 series, Boxster or Cayman, to the new Cajun three-door SUV and the production version of the 918 hybrid supercar, which is pictured in these shots.

Porsche Officially Confirms World Premiere of New Model at 2011 NAIAS

Earlier this month, we told you about Porsche spokesman Hans-Gerd Bode's interview with Bloomberg where he discussed the firm's plans to unveil a new model at the upcoming North American International Auto Show in Detroit (January 10 to 23). Today, the Stuttgart-based sports car maker made it official by announcing that it will be giving a new model its world debut at the Detroit Show. Porsche, however, did not release any information on the vehicle.

As we previously noted, Porsche's debut could be anything from a successor to the 911 series, Boxster or Cayman, to the new Cajun three-door SUV and the production version of the 918 hybrid supercar, which is pictured in these shots.

Porsche to Return to Detroit Show with a Bang, will Premiere a "Spectacular Model". What will it be?

It's been a good four years since the last time we saw Porsche at the Detroit Motor Show, otherwise known as the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), but the famous Stuttgart automaker is getting ready to make a big comeback at the 2011 edition of the event. Not only will Porsche make it to the 2011 NAIAS, but the company revealed through one of its spokesman that it is planning to premiere a “spectacular” model.

“We’ll have something spectacular to show there,” said Hans- Gerd Bode, a spokesman for Porsche, in an interview on Friday. “You’ll have to wait and be surprised.” As you may have guessed, the Porsche official did not reveal any other details leaving us with nothing but speculation at this point.

Aside from the already confirmed for production 918 Spyder Hybrid supercar, other new Porsche models planned for the not so far away future are the next generations of the 911 series, Boxster and Cayman, plus a smaller three-door SUV, the Cajun. We should mention here that a couple of days ago, Porsche released a press announcement stating that the firm's supervisory board gave the green light for the production of the Cajun.

Here's the statement:

"During its meeting today, the Supervisory Board of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, laid the foundations for continuous and successful growth of the company. The Supervisory Board instructed the Board of Management to drive forward the development of a further model series up to series production. Under the working name "Cajun", this efficient and sporty model will further expand the world’s most successful Porsche segment in the SUV sector.

In addition to the new Cayenne, which has clearly consolidated its market position as the most successful sporty SUV in the premium segment, the "Cajun" will also have a very positive impact with its typical Porsche features such as light weight, ease of handling and agility. As an attractive entry model in the Porsche world, the "Cajun" will attract new and even younger customers to the premium brand along with the Boxster, the market leader in the segment of two-seater, mid-size sports cars."

Of course, Porsche may show a completely different model including a concept vehicle of some sort. Feel free to speculate in the comments section below.

Via: Bloomberg

Cayenne and Panamera Help Boost Porsche Sales by 86.4% Compared to Previous Quarter

Even in this harsh economical climate, Porsche sales continue to grow, as the German maker shifted 21,218 units in the first three months of the 2010 short fiscal year (August 1 – December 31). That's an impressive 86.4% growth compared to the same period last year, although Porsche management admits that the prior-year quarter was "relatively weak", so a higher growth rate was expected.

Revenue amounted to €2.06 billion (+80.3%), while the company's operating result reached €395 million for the same three month period.

The new Cayenne fared particularly well with 10,292 units sold (+151%), followed by the Panamera with 5,778 vehicles and a growth rate of 94%. The success of the 4-door coupe is due to the fact that last year it wasn't available on all markets and the six-cylinder model went on sale in May 2010. The 911's sales were also up, reaching 3,130 units (+20.4%), while the Boxster with 1,089 and Cayman with 929 vehicles remained the least coveted Porsches.

The Americas lead in terms of regional sales, up by 82% and totaling 7,268 units, of which 6,632 went to North America. Europe is close behind (7,082), while Asia and the rest of the world are third (6,868), albeit with the biggest growth rate (126%), fueled by the strong demand in China.

"We can be satisfied with the key indicators of the first three months. Porsche AG is continuing on a profitable growth course" said Matthias Müller, chairman of the executive board of Porsche AG.

"Due to the order intake worldwide in the past few months, we expect a good double-digit return on sales in the short fiscal year from August to December 2010. With this current order situation, we also anticipate a good start to the new fiscal year 2011" Lutz Meschke, member of Porsche AG's executive board in charge of finance and procurement, added.

Porsche's sales growth also helped create new jobs, with the company currently employing 13,043 people, a 2.5% increase over July 2010.

By Csaba Daradics

New Nissan 370Z and GT-R Ads Poke Some Fun at German Sports Car Rivals

A new and rather aggressive advertising campaign regarding the Nissan 370Z and GT-R sports cars has kicked off in Britain. The company launched a series of poster and print adverts highlighting the fact that both sports cars are better in terms of performance yet cost less than their equivalent German rivals.

And mind you, Nissan isn't being polite as the automaker is using tongue-in-cheek phrases in the ads such as "The Winner Hans Down," "The Germans Came Off Wurst," "Kaisers Chiefed" and "Deutschland Deutschland Über-Rated".

To further frustrate its German adversaries, the Japanese company took an Audi TTS bearing the slogan "More expensive, slower and less powerful than a Nissan 370Z" around the streets of London. It was joined by a Porsche Cayman adorned with the words "I dream of being as fast as a Nissan 370Z". Ouch...

"It simply challenges the convention of German sportscars being the only benchmark for performance and quality," says Steve McLennan, Nissan Marketing Director.

"Nissan is confident in the ability of 370Z and GT-R to eclipse our comparable German rivals in terms of outright performance and accessibility and it's now time to shout about it."

We still haven't seen the ads on the GT-R, but the 370Z print campaign, which will appear in key men's lifestyle and motoring magazines, plus outdoor poster sites across the UK over the next six months, includes other cars as well such as the BMW Z4 and the Porsche Boxster.

The first outdoor poster concerning the 370Z went on display on the huge 360-degree 47ft tall BFI IMAX billboard at Waterloo, London.

And just in case you're not aware of the 370Z's performance specs and how it compares against the German competition, below are two charts with the basic details, courtesy of Nissan.

______________________________________________________________

Porsche Releases Four New Option Packages for Boxster and Cayman

Porsche is offering (at least in Europe) buyers a new choice of individualization options for the Boxster roadster and Cayman coupe with the release of two equipment (Comfort and Infotainment) and two design packages (Design and Design Sport) that add a host of bits and bobbles to the two cars.

Starting with the Comfort Package, it includes climate control, bi-xenon headlights with dynamic cornering lights, cruise control, rain sensor and an embossed Porsche crest on the headrests. The package also adds a wind-deflector on the Boxster and Boxster S models.

As the name suggests, the Infotainment pack gets you the Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system and the Sound Package Plus with seven speakers (185 watt) on the Boxster and nine on the Cayman (235 watt) as well as a CD changer and Bluetooth mobile phone preparation.

The entry-level design package enhances the sporty looks of the Boxster and Cayman with black-colored 19-inch alloy wheels and several interior and exterior features finished in black including the tailpipes, window surrounds, air vents, mirrors, cabin trim and in the case of the Boxster models, the roll bars also.

The Design Sport package adds Porsche's aero kit that includes a front lip spoiler and a modified rear spoiler.

TechArt Trickle-Treats Porsche Boxster and Cayman Facelift Models

Just weeks away from the bi-annual Frankfurt Motor Show in Germany, Porsche tuning specialist TechArt is unveiling the first of several new upgrades to come for the facelifted versions of the Boxster roadster and Caymane coupe models. Included in the initial package are two different Aerokits, daytime running lights, a set of sport springs, as well as carbon interior packages that subtly transform the looks of the two Porsche models.

TechArt's aero kits that are said to optimize the Boxster and Cayman's drag coefficients comprise of a front spoiler with a spoiler lip that match the body's color and new LED daytime running lights, rear wing, side sills and a new rear apron with an integrated diffuser that houses the twin tailpiped of the more sonorous sport exhaust system.

The bodykit can be rounded off with 19- and 20-inch alloy wheels available in various designs and colors while additional upgrades include TechArt's sport springs and a lowering kit that reduced the ride height by up to 30 mm.

For the interior, TechArt offerings include a variety of options ranging from a full leather treatment with contrasting seams and decorative carbon fiber trim to aluminum sport pedals, a three-spoke sport steering wheel and illuminated entry sills with individual logos.

Video: RUF's Porsche CTR-3 and all-electric Porsche 911 Greenster

During their press conference at the Geneva Motor Show, RUF presented their latest Cayman-based CTR-3 model which comes with a twin turbo charged 3.8-liter flat six cylinder engine producing 700HP and 890Nm of torque as well as the RUF Greenster, an all-electric car based on the Porsche 911 Targa that is equipped with a 270 kW Siemens electric motor with 695 lb-ft of torque. Check out the video after the jump.

Video Presentation: 2009 Porsche Cayman S Facelift

Unveiled together with the freshened Boxster at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November, Porsche's facelifted Cayman coupe has received a few minor cosmetic revisions as well as a new version of the flat-six engine, offering more power but also improved fuel efficiency. The basic Cayman features a 2.9-liter direct-injection straight six that cranks out 265HP while the 3.4-litre power unit in the S-version, benefiting from direct fuel injection, now delivers 320HP. The Cayman is scheduled for market launch in February 2009.

Video: 2009 Porsche Boxster and Cayman Facelift

The 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show saw the unveiling of the facelifted 2009 Porsche Boxster and Cayman models (click here for photos and details). In true Porsche fashion, both cars feature significant mechanical upgrades as well as near invisible cosmetic changes. Highlights include the more powerful yet also more fuel efficient direct-injection boxer engines and the option of Porsche's new PDK double-clutch sequential-shift gearbox. Sales of the revised Cayman coupe and Boxster Roadster will begin in early 2009 but until then, skip the jump to get a taste of both vehicles in the videos that follow.

2009 Porsche Boxster Roadster

2009 Porsche Cayman Coupe