The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Porsche

  • Porsche out with ‘faster’ 911 GT3 R

    Porsche out with ‘faster’ 911 GT3 R

    Based on the powerful 911 GT3 RS production sports car, Porsche has designed a new customer racer for GT3 series around the world: The 911 GT3 R.

    Boasting more than 500 hp (368 kW) the new racing 911’s evolution is embodied through lightweight design, enhanced aerodynamics, increased efficiency, improved handling and further optimised safety, as well as the lowering of service and spare parts costs.

    Adapted from its road-going sibling but in a race track-formatted model, the 911 GT3 R features the distinctive double-bubble roof, and a wheelbase which has been lengthened by 8.3 centimetres.

    This ensures a more balanced weight distribution and more predictable handling particularly in fast corners. These important racing attributes are further enhanced through the application of lightweight solutions for the body, add-on parts and suspension, optimising the car’s centre of gravity.

    The lightweight body design of the 911 GT3 RS production sports car featuring an intelligent aluminium-steel composite, has proven to be the ideal basis for the race car.

    The roof, front cover and fairing, wheel arches, doors, side and tail sections as well as the rear cover, are made of particularly light carbon-fibre composite material (CFRP). All windows – and for the first time even the windscreen – consist of polycarbonate.

    Powering the new 911 GT3 R is a cutting-edge four-litre flat-six unit which is largely identical to the high-performance production engine of the road-legal 911 GT3 RS. Direct petrol injection, which operates at pressures up to 200 bar, as well as variable valve timing technology ensure a particularly efficient use of fuel.

    Moreover, the normally-aspirated engine offers significantly better driveability and a broader usable rev range. Power from the rear engine is transferred to the 310 mm rear wheels via a Porsche sequential six-speed constant-mesh gearbox. As in the GT road-going models of the 911, the driver changes gears via shift paddles conveniently positioned on the steering wheel.

    The aerodynamics of the 911 GT3 R also follow the example of the road car. The distinctive wheel arch air vents on the front fairings increase downforce at the front axle.

    Measuring two metres in width by 40-centimetres in depth, the rear wing lends aerodynamic balance. From its 911 RSR big brother, the GT3 R has adopted the concept of the centrally-positioned radiator.

    By eliminating the side radiators, the position of the centre of gravity has been improved, the radiator is better protected against collision damage and the venting of hot air through louvers in the front cover is also greatly improved.

    The brake system of the 911 GT3 R has also benefitted from further modifications and, thanks to increased stiffness and more precise control of the ABS, is even better suited to long distance racing. At the front axle, six-piston aluminium monobloc racing brake callipers combined with ventilated and grooved steel brake discs with a diameter of 380 millimetres ensure outstanding braking performance.

    Fitted at the rear axle are four-piston callipers and discs measuring 372 millimetres.

     

  • Porsche opens customer centre

    Porsche Cars North America officially opened its new $100 million Porsche Experience Centre (PEC) and headquarters in Atlanta last week, with the 27-acre complex becoming the brand’s largest investment ever outside Germany.

    Showcasing Porsche’s innovation, forward-thinking and performance-driven ethos, the industry-first facility is complete with a driver development track, classic car gallery, restoration centre, human performance centre, driving simulator lab and a fine dining restaurant. A state-of-the-art business centre features 13,000 square feet of conference and event space while the experience centre has been specifically designed as a destination for the public, automotive enthusiasts and Porsche customers.

    An estimated 30,000 guests are expected to visit the uniquely designed Porsche Experience Centre each year. Visitors and corporate groups can enhance their driving skills, utilise meeting space in the fully-equipped business centre, view classic Porsche automobiles or dine at Restaurant 356, aptly named after the first production Porsche. The 1.6-mile Driver Development Track runs through the courtyard of the facility and includes six instructor-led driving modules. The Handling Circuit, Off-Road Course, Dynamics Area, Low Friction Handling Circuit, Low Friction Circle and the only Kick Plate in North America are designed to demonstrate the engineering and technological capabilities of Porsche models.

  • Porsche achieves new profit records

    Porsche AG has set new records in terms of deliveries, revenue and profit in the 2014 fiscal year. With 189,849 vehicles, deliveries were 17 per cent above the figure of the previous year. Revenue rose by one-fifth to 17.2 billion euros. The operating profit grew by just over five per cent to 2.7 billion euros. With 22,401 employees, the number of people working for Porsche reached a new peak at the end of the year. A year earlier, the figure was 19,456 employees: an increase of 15 per cent.

    At the annual press conference of Porsche AG in Stuttgart last Friday, Chairman of the Executive Board Matthias Müller, stressed that the sports car manufacturer has reached essential objectives of the “Strategy 2018” ahead of schedule.

    “Porsche,” he said, “has developed very successfully and is now better positioned than ever. A crucial cornerstone for this success is the Macan. Until the end of the year, we had delivered our new five-door sports car nearly 45,000 times.”

    With the Macan, Porsche has also won over many new customers: worldwide, three out of four Macan customers have opted for a vehicle of the Porsche brand for the first time.

    The Porsche chairman took special pride in the success of the plug-in hybrid models. With this, Müller did not only refer to the 918 Spyder super sports car, which was sold out just a few months after start of delivery in March 2014; he emphasised that, in the 2014 fiscal year, Porsche was the only brand in the world that could offer its customers no fewer than three plug-in models in the premium segment: in addition to the 918 Spyder, they include the Cayenne S E-Hybrid and the Panamera S E-Hybrid.

    Member of the Executive Board Finance and IT at Porsche AG Lutz Meschke, said in Stuttgart that the excellent performance of Porsche is also reflected in the financial situation of the company.

    He said: “In 2014, we were able to completely reduce our net debt while simultaneously financing our growth – two years before the originally envisaged target date. In tangible terms, the net liquidity of the automotive business area – that is the gross liquidity less financial liabilities and excluding the financial services business in each case – improved from minus 899 million euros as of December 31 2013 to plus 195 million euros as of December 31 2014’’.

  • Porsche replaces lock bracket

    Porsche replaces lock bracket

    As a precautionary measure, Porsche is replacing the lock bracket on the front lid of 4428 two-door sports cars worldwide. This is because for some vehicles of the 911 Carrera, Boxster and Cayman model series, it is not possible to guarantee that the bracket meets the specifications in the long term. However, to date there have not been any incidents (such as unintentional opening of the front lid).

    The problem was discovered during in-house quality checks and was immediately corrected. The owners of the precisely identified vehicles will be contacted directly by their responsible Porsche dealer.

  • Porsche’s golden jubilee

    Porsche’s golden jubilee

    Porsche Centre Lagos is celebrating with other dealerships worldwide as the Porsche 911 clocks 50 years in production.

    The reason is not far-etched. The number of vehicles that have made it to the half-century mark can be counted on one hand.

    Even the venerable Model T lasted barely two decades in production – despite Henry Ford’s stubbornness. So, it is not surprising that the folks at Porsche worldwide are celebrating.

    Porsche’s iconic 911 sports car made its debut 50 years ago on the stands at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

    To celebrate this success, Porsche has introduced a special anniversary edition at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show, with a limited run of just 1,963 to honour the year the 911 made its debut.

    What is particularly unusual about the sports car’s longevity is the fact that, despite all the changes that have been made under the skin and to the interior, today’s Porsche 911 maintains the original’s basic exterior profile.

    When asked to create the latest model, designer Michael Mauer was quick to recognise some serious challenges. Though he was charged with coming up with something distinctive for the seventh-generation model, he knew that a radical redesign simply “wouldn’t be a 911.” That meant maintaining the distinctive silhouette—starting with the long hood, bulging headlamps, “flyline” roof and, of course, rear-engine layout.

    That did not mean standing still. Introduced last year, the Gen-7 model was a bit lower, wider and longer than the previous model. It was more aerodynamic and, defying conventional wisdom, more powerful while being about 16 per cent more fuel-efficient.

    Not all changes over the years have been uncontroversial; Porsche fanatics raised a fuss in 1998, when the maker abandoned the time-tested air-cooled 911 engine in favour of a more modern water-cooled power train. But the 911’s distinctive rear-mounted engine layout has held since day one.

    Porsche reported that it has sold 820,000 911s.

    The original design was sketched out by Ferdinand “Butzi” Porsche in 1959, and the auto was intended to serve as the replacement for the original 356.

    Delivered to showrooms in early 1964, the car was originally going to be called the Porsche 901, but the manufacturer had to make a quick change when French automaker Peugeot claimed a monopoly on using “0” in the middle of three numbers.

    A year after the European launch, the first 911 reached the United States, incidentally, going for a then-pricey $6,500. The base Porsche 911 Carrera model carries an MSRP of $83,050. Few get out of the showroom at that price, however, as Porsche traditionally makes almost every feature an option that rapidly drives up the price.

    And the 911 is really a family of variants, including models such as the all-wheel-drive Carrera 4S and the top-line turbo, with a base price of $138,450.

    The 911 50th Anniversary Edition will be offered in two unique colours: light-gray metallic and dark graphite. It will also feature a “two-tone 3-D-effect” badge on the rear marking it a “911 50” edition. The edition will be available in the U.S. for $124,100.

    But while the 911 is no longer the brand’s best-seller, it is the icon and generally rated the most popular of the German maker’s offerings. Indeed, in the 1999 international balloting for the Car of the Century, the Porsche 911 came in No. 5, behind the Model T and the Volkswagen Beetle—which just happens to trace its roots to the Porsche family.

  • Password gets MTN’s Porsche

    Password gets MTN’s Porsche

    Ever imagined singing your way to owning a Porsche? That was what Password (real name Patrick Mathias) did Thursday evening as he crooned his way to win the final of MTN Song Star, which held at Oriental Hotel, Lagos.

    Password, who in addition to winning the Porsche, got a record deal with top music producer, Don Jazzy, was ecstatic, and said, “It’s just like a dream to me” after he was presented with the key of the Porsche.

    Amongst the five contestants, three (Obino, Habila, and Mike) were monthly winners that emerged while the contest lasted in different regions of the country while the remaining two, of which Password was one of them, were wild cards.

    And with a sonorous rendition of ‘Wactha say’ by Jason Derulo, Password sealed his place as the winner. Whipping up the crowd, the three judges, Chris Obosi, Ayo Olaosju, and Don Jazzy didn’t have a hard time anointing Password a winner, making him sweep away keys from Obino, his closest competitor.

    Patrick said he got the name ‘Password’ from friends who believe he can do anything.

    Password was presented with his Porsche car while Obino, Habila and Mike were also presented with their Hyuandai Cerato cars.

  • Porsche’s golden jubilee

    Porsche’s golden jubilee

    Against all odds, the Porsche 911 is waxing stronger year in, year out. The iconic 911 recently clocked 50 years in production. TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO reports.

    Porsche Centre Lagos is celebrating with other dealerships worldwide as the Porsche 911 clocks 50 years in production.

    The reason is not far-etched. The number of vehicles that have made it to the half-century mark can be counted on one hand.

    Even the venerable Model T lasted barely two decades in production – despite Henry Ford’s stubbornness. So, it is not surprising that the folks at Porsche worldwide are celebrating.

    Porsche’s iconic 911 sports car made its debut 50 years ago on the stands at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

    To celebrate this success, Porsche has introduced a special anniversary edition at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show, with a limited run of just 1,963 to honour the year the 911 made its debut.

    What is particularly unusual about the sports car’s longevity is the fact that, despite all the changes that have been made under the skin and to the interior, today’s Porsche 911 maintains the original’s basic exterior profile.

    When asked to create the latest model, designer Michael Mauer was quick to recognise some serious challenges. Though he was charged with coming up with something distinctive for the seventh-generation model, he knew that a radical redesign simply “wouldn’t be a 911.” That meant maintaining the distinctive silhouette—starting with the long hood, bulging headlamps, “flyline” roof and, of course, rear-engine layout.

    That did not mean standing still. Introduced last year, the Gen-7 model was a bit lower, wider and longer than the previous model. It was more aerodynamic and, defying conventional wisdom, more powerful while being about 16 per cent more fuel-efficient.

    Not all changes over the years have been uncontroversial; Porsche fanatics raised a fuss in 1998, when the maker abandoned the time-tested air-cooled 911 engine in favour of a more modern water-cooled power train. But the 911’s distinctive rear-mounted engine layout has held since day one.

    Porsche reported that it has sold 820,000 911s.

    The original design was sketched out by Ferdinand “Butzi” Porsche in 1959, and the auto was intended to serve as the replacement for the original 356.

    Delivered to showrooms in early 1964, the car was originally going to be called the Porsche 901, but the manufacturer had to make a quick change when French automaker Peugeot claimed a monopoly on using “0” in the middle of three numbers.

    A year after the European launch, the first 911 reached the United States, incidentally, going for a then-pricey $6,500. The base Porsche 911 Carrera model carries an MSRP of $83,050. Few get out of the showroom at that price, however, as Porsche traditionally makes almost every feature an option that rapidly drives up the price.

    And the 911 is really a family of variants, including models such as the all-wheel-drive Carrera 4S and the top-line turbo, with a base price of $138,450.

    The 911 50th Anniversary Edition will be offered in two unique colours: light-gray metallic and dark graphite. It will also feature a “two-tone 3-D-effect” badge on the rear marking it a “911 50” edition. The edition will be available in the U.S. for $124,100.

    But while the 911 is no longer the brand’s best-seller, it is the icon and generally rated the most popular of the German maker’s offerings. Indeed, in the 1999 international balloting for the Car of the Century, the Porsche 911 came in No. 5, behind the Model T and the Volkswagen Beetle—which just happens to trace its roots to the Porsche family.