World Car Awards top three

Following the announcement of the World Car Awards finalists at the beginning of February, the jurors have voted once again to decide the top three candidates in each category.



There’s now a short wait until the New York International Auto Show, which begins on 22 April, to find out the winners.



The three models up for each award - in alphabetical order - are:



2011 World Car of the Year



· Audi A8

· BMW 5 Series

· Nissan Leaf

BMW 5 Series Saloon

The outsider here is probably the Audi, but whether enough jurors have been swayed by the Leaf remains to be seen. Many might have been reluctant to give their votes to the Nissan because, despite its green credentials, it nevertheless represents first generation electric car technology which comes with associated issues of purchase price, recharging time and range.



2011 World Performance Car



· Ferrari 458 Italia

· Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

· Porsche 911 Turbo

Ferrari 458 Italia

It’s difficult to foresee the Ferrari not winning this category.



2011 World Car Design of the Year



· Alfa Romeo Giulietta

· Aston Martin Rapide

· Ferrari 458 Italia

Aston Martin Rapide

Perhaps the surprise here is that the Citroën DS3, which was in the top ten shortlist, hasn’t make it through to the top three. Naturally this is a very subjective category but, from an aesthetic perspective, surely the Aston Martin just about beats the other contenders?



2011 World Green Car



· BMW 320d Efficient Dynamics Edition

· Chevrolet Volt

· Nissan Leaf

Chevrolet Volt

This award is hard to predict, because the three finalists represent three very different technologies: internal combustion, range extender and pure electric. However, because the Volt combines the benefits of battery power with a total absence of range anxiety, it deserves to clinch the title.



Related post:

World Car Awards finalists

The Most Economic Luxury Car by Porsche

Porsche company has presented a most economic hybrid version of hatchback Panamera.

The New Porsche Panamera S Hybrid

Porsche Panamera S Hybrid shows considerably best indicators of fuel consumption and blowout CO2, than all other serial luxury hybrid cars. These values are reached thanks to developed all-weather tyres Michelin especially for Panamera. But even with serial tyres a fuel consumption of new hybrid model of Porsche makes 7,1 l/100 km (cycle NEFZ), and CO2 blowout — 167/km.

Panamera S Hybrid establishes standards of dynamic characteristics both for classical, and for hybrid cars. Panamera S Hybrid will be speeded to 100 km/h for 6,0 seconds, the maximum speed makes 270 km/h. The cruising range in electric mode makes about 2 kilometres, movement in this mode depending on a situation is possible with a speed to 85 km/h.

Panamera S Hybrid is set in motion by engines which already justified itself in Cayenne Turbo S: the basic drive gear carries out 3-litre compressor engine V6 capacity of 333HP (245 kw), it is supported by the electric motor capacity of 47HP (34 kw).

Both engines can actuate Panamera S Hybrid or is independent, or together. Besides, the electric motor serves as the generator and a starter. Together with a dividing clutch it forms the compact hybrid module located between an internal combustion engine and a gear box. The electric motor is connected with the NiMh battery in which the electric power will accumulate at braking and movement. Transmission is used known on Cayennes — 8-step Tiptronic S with a wide range of reduction ratios.

Panamera S Hybrid

Porsche has announced its most economical model ever.



The Panamera S Hybrid achieves 41.5 mpg (6.8 l/100km) and CO2 emissions of 159 g/km, according to the New European Driving Cycle test. The slight caveat is that those figures are only possible with specially developed - and optional - Michelin low rolling resistance tyres.

Nevertheless, even on normal rubber the hybrid manages 39.7 mpg (7.1 l/100km) and 167 g/km. Still very impressive considering that the best a purely petrol-powered Panamera will do is 25.0 mpg (11.3 l/100km) while pumping out 265 g/km of CO2.



Under the skin is the same technology that’s found in the Cayenne S Hybrid, which means a 328 bhp (245 kW / 333 PS) 3.0 litre supercharged six-cylinder petrol engine running in conjunction with a 45 bhp (34 kW / 47 PS) electric motor. Charge is stored in a nickel metal hydride battery, and an eight-speed Tiptronic S gearbox is fitted as standard.

The Panamera’s range using only its electric motor for propulsion is a little over a mile (around two kilometres). That isn’t a lot, but even such a meagre distance could prove handy in city centre stop-start driving. Perhaps of more use is the ‘sailing’ feature which, at speeds up to 103 mph (165 km/h), will completely shut down the petrol engine when it’s not actually delivering any power to the wheels.



Harnessing the combined 373 bhp (279 kW / 380 PS) from its motor and engine, the Panamera S Hybrid will accelerate from zero to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 6.0 seconds, while the more relevant 50-75 mph (80-120 km/h) increment is taken care of in 3.9 seconds. Top speed is 168 mph (270 km/h).

Pricing has been set at £86,227 for the UK and €106,185 in Germany. Standard kit includes Porsche Active Suspension Management, which offers continuous electronic adjustment of the dampers. Adaptive air suspension and Servotronic speed-sensitive power steering are also fitted.



Following an appearance at the Geneva International Motor Show, the Panamera S Hybrid is scheduled to have its market launch in June 2011.

Boxster S Black Edition

Another week, another Porsche special edition...



This time it’s the turn of the Boxster S, which gets the same Black Edition treatment as recently applied to the 911.

Predictably, given its name, there’s a certain theme going on: Black paintwork, black hood, black rear side air intakes, black exhaust tailpipes, black rollover bars, black model lettering, black dashboard trim, black half-leather upholstery and black 19” alloys borrowed from the Boxster Spyder.



Not that the end result looks at all bad, provided of course that you like black.



Standard equipment on the Black Edition is generous, featuring three packages which are normally cost options. The first of these is ‘Design’, responsible for most of the black bits and pieces including the wheels.



Secondly, ‘Comfort’ adds automatic climate control, cruise control, bi-xenon headlights, headlight wash, LED daytime running lights, a wind deflector, automatic dimming mirrors and a rain sensor.



Finally, ‘Infotainment’ includes the Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system with 6.5” colour touchscreen, radio with RDS twin tuner, Bluetooth telephone preparation, navigation module, universal audio interface and the Sound Package Plus.

The changes aren’t just cosmetic, though. Compared to the standard Boxster S, power from the 3.4 litre straight-six engine has been increased by 9 bhp (7 kW / 10 PS) to 315 bhp (235 kW / 320 PS), while peak torque rises to 370 Nm (272 lb/ft).



Those admittedly modest increases don’t dramatically improve performance. The 0-62 mph (100 km/h) time does drop by a tenth to 5.2 seconds, but top speed is more or less unchanged at 171 mph (276 km/h).



Anyone wanting slightly better acceleration could specify the optional, seven-speed Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) transmission instead of the usual six-speed manual gearbox. This lets the Boxster complete the 0-62 mph (100 km/h) sprint in 5.1 seconds, although it reduces top speed a tad to 170 mph (274 km/h).



Sales of the Boxster S Black Edition are set to begin in March 2011, and volumes will be limited to just 987 examples - a nod to the current Boxster’s internal Porsche model code.



Pricing has been confirmed at £47,426 (£49,567 with PDK) for the UK, which represents a saving of around £2,000 compared to a similarly specified Boxster S.



In Germany, the Black Edition will cost €63,404.

World Car Awards finalists

Sixty-six jurors from across the world have completed a first round of voting to determine the 2011 World Car Awards finalists.



With four different awards up for grabs, the shortlist models - in alphabetical order - are:





2011 World Car of the Year

• Audi A1


• Audi A8


• BMW 5 Series


• BMW X3


• Jaguar XJ


• Jeep Grand Cherokee


• Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG


• Nissan Leaf


• Porsche Cayenne


• Volvo S60 / V60

Obviously, this is the big prize. Each of the finalists will be judged on ‘overall merit, value, safety, environmental responsibility, emotional appeal and significance’, a combination that has lead to some previous winners being very worthy but also just a bit dull.



What’s striking is that 2011’s entire crop is from premium or, in the case of the Volvo and Jeep, semi-premium manufacturers. Even the Nissan isn’t exactly mainstream, given its relatively high price.

The Leaf could well repeat its 2011 European Car of the Year victory, but it does tend to divide opinion. There are those who believe it almost makes petrol or diesel cars obsolete, while others won’t back an all-electric car until both battery range and the recharging infrastructure improve.







It’s hard to see either the SLS AMG or Cayenne winning, given their comparative lack of environmental responsibility. The BMW 5 Series has to be a contender given its all-round ability, but it would be good to see the Jaguar XJ clinch it, simply because it represents such a brave departure from previous generation XJ models.



Audi’s A1 probably ticks all the boxes. However, it’d be a shame for it to win because it’s essentially a tarted-up version of last year’s World Car of the Year, the Volkswagen Polo.





2011 World Performance Car

• Aston Martin Rapide


• Audi RS 5 Coupe


• Cadillac CTS-V Coupe


• Ferrari 458 Italia


• Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera


• Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG / CL 63 AMG


• Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG


• Porsche 911 GT2 RS


• Porsche 911 Turbo


• Renault Mégane Renaultsport 250

This category is wide open, as it includes everything from a compact hot hatch to numerous supercars for the jurors to choose from. Audi has won the performance car award three times in the past five years, but it’ll be a surprise if the feat is repeated with the RS 5.









2011 World Car Design of the Year

• Alfa Romeo Giulietta


• Aston Martin Rapide


• Audi A7


• Citroën DS3


• Ferrari 458


• Honda CR-Z


• Kia Sportage


• Nissan Juke

There were originally fifty-one candidates in this category, which is expected to ‘highlight new vehicles with innovation and style that push established boundaries’ - a demanding set of criteria.

On that basis, the Aston Martin would seem to be a strong challenger, but arguably it’s the Nissan Juke that truly stands out as a unique design.



The shortlist was decided by a panel of five design experts but, as with all of the other awards, it’s now solely up to the jurors to arrive at a winner.







2011 World Green Car

• BMW 320d Efficient Dynamics Edition


• Chevrolet Volt


• Hyundai Sonata Hybrid


• Mercedes-Benz B-Class F-Cell


• Nissan Leaf


• Smart electric drive

Three environmental experts were asked to draw up the finalists for this award based on emissions, fuel consumption and the power plant technology employed.

Perhaps the Leaf stands a stronger chance of winning this category, but it may be the case that more jurors consider the Volt’s range extender concept as being more practical for everyday use.







But with its 109 g/km and combined cycle 68.9 mpg (4.0 l/100km), the 320d Efficient Dynamics Edition proves that cars with a traditional internal combustion engine can still be impressively green.







The next stage is that during February the jurors will vote again, but this time just on the finalists.



Following that ballot, the top three cars in each category will be announced at the Geneva International Motor Show on 1st March.



Then, bringing the process to a close, the 2011 World Car Awards winners will be declared during the New York International Auto Show in April.

Porsche GT2 RS tuned by Wimmer RS

German tuner Wimmer RS has a package for the Porsche 911 GT2 RS that shaves 0.2 seconds off of the supercar's 0 to 100 km/h sprint time.

To do so, Wimmer goes under the hood to optimize the two turbochargers and modify the air intake. There's also a tuning of the throttle valve and a new sport air filter.

The Solingen-based tuner then adds a valve-controlled sport exhaust system and sport catalysts.

All that tinkering adds up to a total output on the Porsche 911 GT2 RS of 703 PS (517 kW) and 810 Nm of torque (series 620 PS / 462 kW).

The 0 to 100 km/h sprint time comes in at 3.3 seconds compared to the series' 3.5. The Wimmer RS GT2 RS hits 200 km/h (124 mph) in 9.5 seconds.

Top speed is a breezy 356 km/h (221 mph).

A nice set of photos here tell the rest of the story of the Wimmer RS Porsche 911 GT2 RS dressed in a devilish red with a black bonnet.

Porsche Cayenne Radical Star by Met-R

Russian tuner Met-R has unveiled their new tuning program for the Porsche Cayenne Turbo (958).

Dubbed the Radical Star, the package features an aggressive front fascia, wheel arch extensions (which add 100mm in width), and a carbon fiber rear diffuser.

Under the hood, the twin-turbo 4.8-liter V8 engine has been tweaked to produce 564 PS (415 kW / 556 hp) - an increase of 64 PS (47 kW / 63 hp). No word on how this was accomplished, but we suspect there's a revised ECU and a high-flow air filter.

The package is currently available and pricing starts at 780,000 rubles (€19,075 / $25,260).

Panamera Moby Dick by Edo Competition

If there was ever an appropriate name for an over-juiced tuner model it's 'Moby Dick'.

German tuner Edo Competition touts the Panamera Moby Dick as the most powerful Panamera Turbo around, and there is no evidence to doubt that.

The Moby Dick comes in a 750 PS (740 bhp / 552 kW) with the twin-turbo V8 dialed up 50 percent from its standard 500 PS (493 bhp / 368 kW). 0 to 100 km/h acceleration clocks in at under 4 seconds and top speed, depending on tires, can reach 340 km/h (211 mph).

The Ahlen (Westphalia), Germany-based tuner also provides a revised exhaust system with quad stainless steel exhaust pipes and butterfly valves fitted into a carbon rear diffuser. Edo Competition also provides a lowering module and 22-inch wheels.

An aerodynamics package from Mansory is also part of this unique Moby Dick, installed upon customer request.

For the inside, Edo Competition offers a highly-personalized finish with customers choosing their own leather and fabrics and trims in fine wood, lacquer, metal or carbon fiber.

2011 Porsche Sport Cars Cayman R

2011 Porsche Sport Cars Cayman R

A couple days ago Porsche released a press statement saying that it will unveil a new “mid-engine sports car” at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show, it’s 2011 Porsche Cayman R. The Porsche alphabet reserves the letter R for very special sports cars: R for responsive and refined – but most especially for racy. The new Cayman R combines all these attributes without compromise. 2011 Porsche Sport Cars Cayman R has further developed the car by reducing weight, increasing horsepower and raising agility and handling to new heights.

Weighing 55 kg less than the equivalent Cayman S, and the new mid-engine coupé from Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, is designed for spectacular road behaviour, the 330 hp Porsche Cayman R has been created for one reason: pure, distilled driving dynamics. With its highly-tuned sports suspension and vigilant attention to weight savings, the new Cayman model offers a driving experience even more precise than that of the acclaimed Cayman S. The 2011 Porsche Sport Cars Cayman R makes its world debut today at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

2011 Porsche Sport Cars Cayman R

Power for the 2011 Porsche Sport Cars Cayman R comes from a tuned 3.4L inline 6-cylinder engine making a total of 330-hp allowing for a 0-62 mph time of 5 seconds when mated to a 6-speed manual and 4.9 seconds when mated to Porsche’s 7-speed PDK transmission. Adding the optional Sport Chrono packages brings the 0-62 mph time down to 4.7 seconds. Top speed for the 2011 Porsche Sport Cars Cayman R comes in at 175 mph with a 6-speed manual and 174 mph with the PDK.

For interior 2011 Porsche Sport Cars Cayman R has features Alcantara and leather upholstery, sport seats, strap door handles and a painted console color-keyed to the exterior. Under the skin, the suspension has been enhanced with shorter, more rigid springs and there are customized anti-roll bars on the front and rear axles (the ride height is about 20 millimeters lower than the Cayman S).

2011 Porsche Sport Cars Cayman R

Tracing its lineage back to the famous mid-engined 904 coupes of the 1960s, the Porsche Cayman R celebrates its world premiere at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show on November 17, 2010.

The new 2011 Porsche Sport Cars Cayman R will go on sale from February 2011, priced from £51,731 ( $66,300 ) and the price in Germany will be EUR 69,830 inclusive of 19 percent VAT and country-specific equipment items. Go to www.porsche.com/cayman-r-live to listen to the Porsche press conference broadcast live from the Los Angeles Auto Show starting 7:55 p.m. German Time.

2011 Porsche Sport Cars Cayman R

2011 Porsche Cayman R

As anticipated, Porsche has revealed a range-topping Cayman at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Named the Cayman R, the formula is a familiar one: reduce weight and increase power.

Compared to the Cayman S, the Cayman R is 55 kg (121 lbs) lighter while the 3.4 litre engine now produces 325 bhp (243 kW / 330 PS) - an additional 9 bhp (8kW / 10 PS). With the standard six-speed manual gearbox, that means the 0-62 mph (100 km/h) acceleration time drops from 5.2 to 5.0 seconds, but buyers can turn to the Porsche options list to get that down even more.



Go for the seven-speed dual-clutch PDK transmission, and another 0.1 of a second is shaved off. A side effect is that fuel consumption is slightly improved too, with the PDK-equipped car recording a combined cycle figure of 30.4 mpg (9.3 l/100km) compared to 29.1 mpg (9.7 l/100km) for the standard Cayman R.

Top speed of the Cayman R is 175 mph (282 km/h) with the manual gearbox, or 174 mph (280 km/h) with PDK.



Also available is a Sport Chrono package, which will further reduce the 0-62 mph (100 km/h) time to 4.7 seconds. Interestingly, that’s exactly the same time as the 911 Carrera S manages.



The interior leaves you in no doubt that the Cayman R has been on a diet. Lightweight sports seats are fitted, helping to reduce the overall weight of the car by 12 kg. Some comforts have been dispensed with though, and there’s no air conditioning or cup holders. Even the small plastic shroud over the instruments has been ditched. Porsche don’t bother with a stereo either, but one can be specified as a zero-cost option.

Visually, the R is distinguished by its fixed rear spoiler, lightweight 19” alloy wheels, side graphics and black headlight surrounds and door mirrors. 20 mm lower suspension also gives it a more purposeful stance.



The Porsche Cayman R is due to reach showrooms in early 2011. The UK price has been confirmed at £51,731, a premium of £5,102 over the Cayman S.

Date of Sales of Superhybrid Porsche

In 2013 company Porsche will present the first copies of the hybrid supercar of Porsche 918 Spyder.

Hybrid Spyder by Porsche

The prototype of supercar has been presented in March on the Geneva autoshow. The car has been equipped by a hybrid power-plant which combined the 500-strong 3,4-litre atmospheric 8-cylinder engine, two electromotors the general capacity of 218HP, the complete set of special accumulators and a 7-step gear box with two clutches.

The hybrid supercar Porsche 918 Spyder can finish the well-known Northern hinge strain of a Nurnburgring faster, than coupe Carrera GT, less than for 7 min 30 sec. Thus average fuel consumption of the car does not exceed 3,1 litres on 100 kilometres of run, and level of blowouts CO2 — 70 grammes/km.

1st Real Test Drive of Porsche 918 Spyder

The project of Porsche 918 Spyder has been approved by company management in the middle of current year, however then exact terms of occurrence of the car on the conveyor were not called. As of July the number of potential buyers of this model, according to some information, exceeded 2,000 persons. The main competitors of the given model: Porsche Cayenne 2011 and Porsche 911 Turbo.

Related Posts: Porsche

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• Germans have made electric Porsche Cayenne
• Porsche has officially presented Boxter Spyder
• Gemballa has equipped Porsche Panamera with new wheels
• Gemballa has presented new Porsche Cayenne

Even more 911 derivatives

Carrera, Turbo, Carrera 4S, GT2 RS, etc., etc. Coupé, Convertible and Targa. With seventeen models, representing just about every conceivable engine, body style and transmission permutation, nobody could accuse Porsche of not trying to offer a 911 to suit the tastes and wallets of every potential purchaser.



But it appears that there were still some tiny niches being ignored, because now there are another three variants: Carrera GTS Coupé, Carrera GTS Cabriolet and Speedster.



911 Carrera GTS

The role of the GTS is to satisfy those who clearly think that the Carrera S doesn’t have quite enough power, but the GT3 simply has too much. Hence the 3.8 litre flat six Porsche has specified for the GTS produces 402 bhp (300 kW / 408 PS), an output that ideally fills the narrow chasm between the 379 bhp (283 kW / 385 PS) of the Carrera S and the GT3’s 429 bhp (320 kW / 435 PS).



Predictably, its performance slots neatly between those other two 911 models, too. The GTS Coupé gets from 0-62 mph (100 km/h) in 4.6 seconds, while the real world 50-75 mph (80-120 km/h) increment takes 5.6 seconds in fifth gear, and top speed is 190 mph (306 km/h). Acceleration times for the GTS Cabriolet are marginally slower, but flat out it’s as fast as the hardtop.

The GTS also addresses another omission in the 911 line-up that has, up until now, gone unsatisfied: it combines rear-wheel drive with the slightly wider bodywork from the all-wheel drive Carrera 4. Further differentiating the GTS is a SportDesign front apron with black spoiler edge, special side skirts, nicely subtle graphics and a black Alcantara interior. Helping to show off the wider track are 19” centre-mount RS Spyder alloys, finished in black but with high gloss rim flanges.



In fairness though, the overall effect is appealing. The result is a car that’s less anonymous that a normal Carrera, but not as brash as a GT3. Mid-way between the two, then.

It’s not quite the same story with the pricing, though. In the UK, the Carrera S Coupé and GT3 cost £74,606 and £87,935 respectively, so it would be reasonable to assume that the 911 Carrera GTS Coupé would be around £80,000. It is, in fact, £76,758 which, by comparison, seems like rather good value. The Carrera GTS Convertible is £83,493.



911 Speedster

Depending on your point of view, the Speedster is either an essential addition to the range, or a cynical marketing exercise.



Of course, the name is taken from the original 356 Speedster and, in a move that’s not at all tacky, only 356 examples of the 911 Speedster will be produced.



With its 402 bhp (300 kW / 408 PS), rear-wheel drive and wider bodywork, the Speedster is essentially a Carrera GTS Convertible fitted with a 60 mm lower windscreen, manual roof, two seats and a ‘double bubble’ cover for the retracted soft top. It also gets bespoke side skirts and front and rear aprons.



The only transmission choice is the seven-speed PDK (double clutch) gearbox, and Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes come as standard. Performance is similar to that of a PDK-equipped GTS Convertible, with 0-62 mph (100 km/h) taking 4.6 seconds and a top speed of 189 mph (305 km/h).



Available only in Pure Blue or Carrera White paintwork with a black leather interior, UK pricing for the 911 Speedster is yet to be confirmed.



However, in Germany, it will cost a shocking €201,682 - that’s 75% more than a Carrera GTS Cabriolet. On that basis, the Speedster could end up being around £146,000, which is lunacy when the quicker and more practical 911 Turbo S Cabriolet is ‘only’ £130,791.