There is plenty of buzz surrounding Porsche‘s upcoming 991-generation 911 models and CAR Magazine out in the United Kingdom has revealed some more details on various 991 future derivatives. There aren’t any overwhelming surprises with the upcoming model announcements, but it’s clear that Porsche will be moving swiftly to launch several models out of their 991 generation in the upcoming years.

Once the standard Carrera and Carrera S models arrive at the end of this year, we’re expected to see the 911 Cabriolet next featuring a stylish soft-top. The end of 2012 should bring Porsche’s next generation Carrera 4, bringing four-wheel-drive to the Carrera and Carrera S models. It’s believed that the C2 and C4 will feature a 3.4L engine with 350-bhp and 280 lb-ft of torque, while the C2S and C4S will pack 400-bhp and 325 lb-ft of torque from a 3.8L.

By 2013, the new 911 Turbo will arrive, featuring a fun-filled 3.8L, 520-bhp power plant. The standard 911 Turbo should be followed up by a soft-top variant in 2014. 2013 should also bring a new GT3 model, featuring a high-revving naturally aspirated flat-six engine.

Way down the road in late 2013 or early 2014 will be Targa and Speedster versions of the 991-generation 911. Rumor has it that Porsche’s product planning department looks to bring back the MkII targa, which featured a folding removable top and a heated glass backlight. Though the Speedster variant hasn’t been confirmed yet, it wouldn’t surprise any of us to see Porsche create a Speedster based on the 991 Cabriolet.

Last but not least, a 911 hybrid should be in the works as well, thanks to Porsche’s success with their 911 GT3 R Hybrid. We’ll stay tuned for upcoming, official releases from Porsche – but for now, we have plenty to look forward to with the new 991 generation.

[Source: Car Magazine]

GALLERY: Porsche 991 Generation 911s

Ten years have gone by since Porsche Design created a watch that took its cues from the dashboard gauges of the 911. It’s about time for an update, and the luxury brand is ready to launch a new model, the Porsche Design P’6620 Dashboard watch.

Crafted in Australia, the Porsche Design P’6620 Dashboard watch measures in with a diameter of 44 millimetres and a height of 14.5 millimetres, and is made entirely of lightweight, non-allergenic titanium. Sporting a deep black color that’s produced by shot-blasting titanium and covering it with a layer of black PVD, this element of the chronograph is a nod to the original black watch that Ferdinand Alexander Porsche designed back in 1972. Its dial features Arabic numerals and its minutes and seconds hands are luminescent for easy reading in the dark. It also comes with two elongated push buttons next to the crown control the start/stop function and its case is water-resistant to a depth of 100 meters.

In terms of precision movement, the stop function can be used with the tachymeter scale to calculate average speeds of between 60 and 330 km/h.  With a balance frequency of 28,800 vibrations per minute, its hand and the date disc are driven by automatic ETA Valjoux 7753 movement. To ensure that its arm movement keeps winding up, the Porsche Design P’6620 Dashboard is equipped with an optimised rotor in the shape of a sports car’s wheel rim.

The Porsche Design P’6620 Dashboard watch is available in 12 variations and comes with a white dial, a gold case, or with calf leather or caoutchouc (natural rubber) straps. You can pick up the base model for €3,950 – that’s about $6,300 US.

It’s quite surprising how the perceived value of an object skyrockets strictly based on its previous owner. This classic 1970 Porsche 911S with 112,000 miles on the odometer sold on Friday night in Monterey for $1.2 million thanks to the fact that it used to belong to Steve McQueen and was used in the opening scenes of LeMans. It is also the 200th vehicle RM has auctioned off for over $1 million.

Bidding for the classic Porsche started at $200,000 and made it to $1 million almost instantly before it started to become a battle between the subsequent buyer and a determined overseas bidder. The only thing we know about the winning bidder is that they are from the United States so hopefully the Porsche remains a classic display vehicle somewhere here in someone’s collection and makes a return to Monterey one year to show off to the world.

GALLERY: Steve McQueen’s 1970 Porsche 911S

[Source: Autoblog]

You don’t have to drive to work in a Porsche to impress your coworkers. The new Porsche mouse pad and mouse will be the talk of the water cooler and the envy of fellow cubicle dwellers.

Designed in the Porsche studio at Weissach, the new mouse pad takes its cue from the automaker’s luxury vehicles, using the same leather found in the cars’ interiors.  Sporting an embossed logo at its top, the mouse pad is shaped in the form of a Porsche crest. The mouse pad retails for $100.

The perfect complement to the mouse pad is the new mouse. Taking its inspiration from the Porsche 911, the mouse is adorned with the Porsche logo. It’s PC- and Mac-compatible, and comes with an aluminum scroll wheel, high resolution 2,000 dpi sensor, 2.4 GHz technology and plug-and-play installation. The mouse also retails for $100.

You can order both online at Porsche Design Driver’s Selection.

Porsche is recalling specific vehicles from the 2011 and 2012 Boxster, Cayman and 911 model ranges due to an issue with the seatbelt anchor.

The automaker claims that undersized mounting holes for the anchors could cause the seatbelt to become not ”routed optimally around the occupant.” Over time, the anchor could loosen, resulting in an increased injury risk in a crash.

Among the models targeted by NHTSA for recall include the 2011 911 Speedster, the 911 GTS RS 4.0, the 2012 Boxster (including the Boxster S and Spyder) and  Cayman (including the Cayman S and Cayman R), the 911 Carrera (including  the Carrera S, GTS, 4, 4S, and 4 GTS); 911 Targa 4/4S and the 911 Turbo and Turbo S manufactured from May 31, 2011 through June 10, 2011.

Porsche dealers will inspect the affected vehicles and made any necessary alterations free of charge.

Hit the jump for the official press release

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The young jetsetter needs to travel in style. That’s why Porsche Design Driver’s Selection just added a new rolling suitcase called the Kids’ Trolley to its lineup.

Sporting red piping with a blue exterior and Porsche 911 Turbo print, kids will love how this rolling suitcase’s wheels light up when it’s being pulled. The lights are powered by movement, so there’s no need for batteries – a feature that parents will love. It’s also adorned with a reflective Porsche logo, nameplate, printed checkered flag and a red interior lining. This rolling suitcase comes with a handy feature parents will love – a snack box with a separate compartment for fruit and uncooked food. Other handy features include a pen holder, Velcro compartments, pockets and a snap hook for keys inside the main compartment.

You can roll away a Kids’ Trolley for $190 at the Porsche Design Driver’s Selection online store.

What we have here are the clearest photos of the 2012 Porsche 911 – codenamed 991. The photos certainly look part, and according to the Spanish language site where the appeared, the graphic artist at work simply removed the camouflage and photoshopped the cars into a very Porsche-looking backdrop.

According to previous reports, the 991 will be longer, lighter and more powerful than the 997, with an appropriate boost in fuel efficiency to placate environmental types.

Gallery: 2012 Porsche 911

As the American LeMans Series rolled into Mosport International Raceway, situated an hour east of Toronto, the only thing that could match the aural assault of a flat-six Porsche engine roaring down the main straight was the searing heat – weather forecasters noted that with the humidity taken into account, temperatures felt like 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

Despite the excruciating conditions, we were unwilling to turn down the opportunity of a lifetime, and the chance to ride shotgun in a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup racecar, which will take part in the IMSA GT3 Challenge support race this weekend. AutoGuide was the sole media representative at Mosport, and the other passenger was a race driver interested in joining the series in 2012.

Our  pilot for the afternoon was Randy Oswald, who counts the Mosport race as his home event. Oswald had the benefit of a liquid-cooled racing suit to combat the searing heat, while passengers were allowed to wear short sleeved shirts and long pants. As Oswald expounded on the importance of proper safety gear, reports of a crash came through the radio, delaying the practice session for some time.  ”I was told that if you drive one of these long enough,” he said, pointing to his brand new 911 GT3 Cup car, “you’ll set one on fire – so always wear your firesuit.” Sure enough, the wrecked car we’d heard about earlier came in on a flatbed, with the rear end of the car crumpled and charred by flames.

Luckily, the hot laps were much more fun and free of any life-threatening conditions, as Oswald expertly piloted the car through Mosport’s 10 turn, 2.4 mile course. With very little run-off room, daunting elevation changes and the potential for very high speeds, Mosport is one of the world’s great tracks, and experiencing it in a full-blown race car was a treat. A Porsche representative warned us not to take our SLR camera in the car, since the g-forces turn our small Nikon into the equivalent of a 60 lb freeweight while in motion, presenting a safety hazard should it get loose.

Outfitted with a whining sequential gearbox that muffles out the raucous exhaust note, the GT3 Cup accelerated rapidly down the straights, but completely blew us away with the sheer amount of grip available thanks to the Yokohama Advan slicks and the specially designed aerodynamics package that enable the car to pull as much as 1.6 Gs. One driver noted that even a 911 GT3 RS can be coaxed into a gentle four-wheel drift throughout the track, but the aforementioned tires and aero package help keep the GT3 Cup planted in a way that no street car can ever dream of.

The ALMS series at Mosport kicks off Friday and lasts until Sunday, with the first GT3 Challenge race on Saturday, July 23rd at 4:50 P.M. The main ALMS race will be held on Sunday, July 24th at 3:05 P.M, and according to ALMS, is the fastest race on the entire schedule, with speeds average speeds of over 130 mph for the prototype cars.

Gallery: Porsche GT3 Cup Car/ IMSA GT3 Challenge Practice

As part of the Porsche Parade organized by the Porsche Club of America, the club will raffle off a fully restored 1973 US version 911 T Coupe amoung PCA members. The car can be viewed at the festival in Savannah, Georgia from July 31 to August 7. The 911 T has been restored to its former glory by experts at Porsche Classic in Stuttgart. The PCA decided it would be more fun to offer an attractive classic Porsche instead of a new vehicle in the traditional PCA raffle.

The Porsche was found near Los Angeles and then was shipped back to Suttgart. The 911 features an air-cooled 2.4-liter flat six engine. Power is around 140-hp at 5,600 rpm and has a top speed of 127 mph (205 km/h). The 911 will be finished in the classic color combination of silver metallic on the exterior and black on the interior.

In total, the restoration of the 911 took just under a year. Every last screw was pulled out and checked by experts at Porsche Classic. For the extensive body work, the mechanics used either original or reproduced parts on the basis of the original documentation. At the end, the Porsche was also subjected to thorough function and performance tests, and now the 911 T shines again in its former glory and exudes the sporty charm of the 70s.

Check out the videos after the jump!

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There have been many amazing Lego creations over the last few decades including life size people and skyscrapers several stories high, but this latest creation might just take the cake.

Documented in this video is a mechanical masterpiece, a Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet PDK made of Lego. Everything on the 911 works, from the retractable hard top roof to the flat-six engine. The Porsche even has the same steering ratio as the actual car. In total, there are over 3,500 parts, including eight electic motors, three remote controls and around 21 feet of wiring. Even’s Porsche’s high-tech PDK dual-clutch transmission is fully functional, coupled to an operational all-wheel drive system.

This will blow you away. Check out the video after the jump!

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Porsche has released a unique application called the Porsche 360° app for the iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch. This app allows for an up-close driving experience without actually sitting inside one of the sports cars.

The app allows users to ride shotgun, alongside Porsche driver Jeroen Bleekemolen for a lap around the Zandvoort circuit. While in the simulator, the user can choose any viewing angle by moving the Apple product into the according direction.

This app is currently only available in The Netherlands, but is also in the App store in co-operation with Porsche AG.

Check out the Porsche 360° video after the jump!

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Photos have been released of the Porsche 911 in testing, and the photos seem to have been shot in Africa, a popular destination for many European automakers.

The lead photo in the set was released with a caption stating – “Testing is an essential part in the development of any new Porsche. It is only by taking the cars to the extremes that we can ensure that our performance and quality standards are met. This gallery offers you insight in the testing of prototypes.”

The new Porsche will be a little longer than the last one, by 2.2 inches but 4 inches in the wheelbase. The growth of the car has been linked to accommodate a possible hybrid system. The base 911 while come with a 3.4-liter flat-six and 350-hp. The Carrera S will pack a 3.8-liter cranking out 400-hp, and the Porsche will also receive a seven-speed manual transmission.

Performance numbers will be somewhat similar to the current model, with a 0-60 time of 4.5 seconds for the base Carrera topping out at 186 mph. Impressively the 991 will be 12-15 percent more fuel efficient and weigh 55 pounds less. Porsche has stated the the 991 Carrera completed the Nürburgring in 8:04, and the Carrera S in 7:50.

The Porsche 911 will makes it’s official debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show this September.

Gallery: Porsche 911 African Testing

There are a few guarantees when it comes to a new Porsche. For one, you can guarantee that it will feature the highest technological advancements that focused German engineering can achieve, all measured by Nürburging lap-slaying metrics.

And you can also guarantee that Porsche will evolve its 911 as slowly as actual evolution, slavishly keeping to tradition: its flat-six engine will be imprisoned behind the rear wheels and that it will look exactly the same as the last one. Because if it didn’t, imagine the wrath of legions of Porsche fans. Fire and brimstone coming down from the skies! Human sacrifice! Dogs and cats living together! Mass hysteria! However, the specs recently released on the next 911—known internally and to enthusiasts as the 991—should appease the masses.

The new Porsche will be slightly longer than the last one, by 2.2 inches but 4 inches in wheelbase. Sources with Porsche’s engineering team believe this is to accommodate a possible hybrid system. But for now, the venerable flat-six gets direct injection and a 3.4-liter, 350 horsepower engine in the base Carrera that’s shared with the Boxster, while the Carrera S gets 3.8 liters and 400 horsepower. The manual transmission gains a cog to 7, and the doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK, in less Germanic terms) will also have the same number of gears.

Performance will be similar to that of the current model, with a 0-60 time of 4.5 seconds for the base Carrera and a top speed of 186mph. But what’s more, the 991 will be 12-15% more fuel efficient, and lighter by 55 pounds—so those times may be even more forgiving. According to Porsche, the 991 Carrera ran the Nürburgring in 8:04, and the Carrera S 7:50. Those figures will be the source of much contentious debate when the next 911 debuts in September, though hopefully without ghostly or otherworldly implications.

Look for the 2012 Porsche 911 to debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show this September.

[Source: Car & Driver via TeamSpeed]

While Nobuhiro Tajima’s record-breaking run at Pikes Peak has been capturing all the attention after finally breaking the sub-1o minute mark for the first time ever, but another record was set at the famed Colorado mountain this weekend in something much more accessible to mere mortals.

Legendary Porsche shoe Jeff Zwart took a 911 GT2 RS up the mountain in 11:07.869, setting a new record for street legal cars. Zwart’s time was 6 seconds behind Rod Millen’s Hyundai Genesis Coupe race car, which took the overall win in 2WD Time Attack. Zwart noted that “we fell three seconds short of beating an all-out race car that is hundreds of pounds lighter with no street safety or emission equipment,” and felt confident that the record would stand for years to come.

[Source: Motor Trend]

It has been in the rumor-mill for a while that Porsche will be offering hybrid technology in their next-generation 911 models. Considering Porsche is using such technology in the 911 GT3 R Hybrid race car, it seems feasible that such technology will trickle down to the production road-going model, especially since this system has just given Porsche a win at the Nürburgring Long Distance Championship in Germany.

Porsche, however, has other plans. A company executive said that hybrid technology is only being applied to the racecar for the present time. If and when such features make their way to the production 911, it will probably be a plug-in system, rather than a KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) derived device.

The reason Porsche is said to be resisting such technology for its road cars is because they don’t want to dilute the Porsche driving experience. While their other models like the Panamera and the Cayenne have already gone the hybrid route, the company’s most well-known model will remain pure and true to its route, at least for now.

[Source: Autocar]

A resident near Louisville Kentucky has saved his Porsche 911 from a flood caused by a rapid flowing river. It appears as though the Porsche owner fastened his yellow 964 to an inflatable cushion, and then tied it to his house to save it from being washed away by the flood.

The home was in close proximity to the Ohio River which flooded this April. It is unclear whether the 964 is a Porsche America Roadster (250 produced) or a C2 Turbo-look roadster. Regardless of what model it is, this car obviously holds enough sentimental value to be made its own life raft and Porsche’s slogan holds true in this case. “Porsche…There is no substitute”.

[Source: Jalopnik]

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It’s official, J.D. Power and Associates has ranked Porsche‘s 911 as the most reliable sports car in the US.

The noted market research institute came to that conclusion after conducting it’s annual Vehicle Dependability Study, in which it surveyed cars registered between September 2007 and March 2008, with some 43,000 individual vehicle owners taking part in the poll.

Not only was the 911 rated the most reliable sports car in the survey, but Porsche was also deemed the top German manufacturer, with the company gaining high praise for quality in manufacturing – the Zuffenhausen assembly plant in Stuttgart deemed the best auto factory in the world. Not surprisingly Porsche AG was happy with the outcome.

“These results confirm our rigorous focus on the very highest quality throughout the entire process chain,” declared Porsche’s Director of Corporate Quality, Dr. Stefan Knirsch. “At Porsche we are never satisfied with our achievements. Traditionally we have striven to become even better because we take a very sporty view of quality.”

While Italian sports cars get a bad rap for being fickle, nobody has ever accused the Porsche 911 of having major reliability issues, and J.D. Power, publisher of the legendary reliability rankings, seems to confirm that, having named the 911 the most reliable sports car and Porsche as the top German manufacturer.

While some of Porsche’s newer vehicles have been afflicted with engine problems, J.D. Power still gave the brand top marks, likely since its owner survey is based on the opinions of people who forked out good money for their cars. On the other hand, a Canadian study recently showed that 97.4 percent of Porsches from the last 25 years are still on the road, a testament to their longevity and robustness. Only time will tell if a current Boxster, Cayman, Cayenne or 911 will be as resilient.

[Source: Porsche]

The next Porsche 911 is expected to shed roughly 100 pounds of weight, thanks to an aluminum intensive chassis that will be shared with the next generation Boxster and Cayman.

The news, courtesy of Motor Trend, seems to suggest that power upgrades won’t be as substantial, with the reduced weight helping to bring the majority of performance gains. With the 911 range already offering ample thrust, the news of a lighter chassis, one that is sure to positively impact all areas of driving dynamics, is promising. A wider track and longer wheelbase should also help improve the car’s handling, making it more stable while also benefiting ride quality.

Fans of the old car will still be able to buy previous generations of the Turbo and GT3 cars, as they have traditionally followed a year behind the standard cars in the product cycle.

[Source: Motor Trend]

Some cars, like the Bugatti Veyron, are so expensive that we can’t imagine ever owning one. Others, like the Porsche 911 GT2 RS are so outrageously powerful that we wouldn’t want to drive them, because of the massive disconnect between our own limits and those of the car.

With 620 horsepower channeled only through the rear wheels, the uber-911 is a truly terrifying machine, but 20 lucky Porsche-philes have summoned up the courage and the cash to own the GT2 RS, and they were rewarded with a special event at El Toro airfield, where a cadre of Porsche driving instructors were on hand to help them get the most out of their newest purchases. Hit the jump to see the video, and try not to get too envious.

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If you’ve seen Le Mans, you’ll remember the opening sequence with a lovely slate-grey Porsche 911 that Steve McQueen drives through the countryside. Now, here’s the chance to own that same car.

McQueen liked the 1970 Porsche 911S so much that he bought it after the movie was completed and shipped it to California, where he added it to his personal collection alongside his Jaguar XKSS, Ferrari 250GTL, and various motorcycles. This model was fully-equipped from the factory, including air conditioning, leather seats and a radio.

And after a few owners it’s hitting the block at RM Auctions, where it will be featured at the Monterey auction on August 19th. Like anything even vaguely McQueen-related, it’ll go for big bucks, so you’ve got five months to start scraping the change from under the couch cushions.

After the launch of the Porsche Cayenne S, another hybrid model is set to bow from Germany’s most famous sports car manufacturer, though details are scant. With the 918 RSR concept car and 911 GT3R hybrid race car making waves, we’d bet that a Panamera Hybrid is on deck, as it’s the next logical step in a world that’s not quite ready for a 911 Hybrid street car.

While the 911 Black Edition, Boxster S Black Edition and 918 RSR will also be on the Porsche stand at the Geneva Auto Show, the new hybrid will undoubtedly be one of the show’s superstars, and you can find complete coverage over at AutoGuide’s Geneva Auto Show page.

Hit the jump to see the official press release

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Back in the summer of 2010, a Porsche 911 Turbo that was part of Porsche Canada’s press fleet was put through a garage door by the son of Canadian Auto Journalist Peter Cheney. The story generated all kinds of feedback, from those shrugging it off as “boys will be boys”, to righteous indignation bordering on “off with his head“.

After the dust settled, it emerged that the Porsche suffered only cosmetic damage, while Mr. Cheney’s garage met a crueler fate. The car has been fully repaired and is now being sold by a Porsche dealer 2 hours outside of Toronto, with a 2 year, 100,000 mile warranty as part of Porsche’s Certified Pre-Owned program. We must say, it cleans up well.

Porsche Canada PR head Laurance Yap confirmed that this is the same car stating that “After it was repaired, that car stayed on my fleet for several months and generated lots of great stories.” We bet. A Porsche 911 Turbo has that magical ability to make something like a trip to the dentist for anesthetic-free root canal surgery a fun time. At a hair under $150,000 CDN for a fully optioned car with about 13,000 miles on it, that’s a good deal for a car that cost $167,000 in 2010 sans options. Of course, Porsche’s recent price drops in Canada mean that a brand new Turbo costs $159,400 before add-ons. Whether you want a car with such an interesting provenance is up to you.