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Porsche Panamera gets new diesel in time for Frankfurt

Diesel may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Porsche, but in the European market - that vital one which Porsche calls home - diesels are indispensable. Particularly when you're trying to extend beyond niche sports cars and into the mainstream luxury sedan market as Zuffenhausen has with the Panamera. In fact, diesels account for 15 percent of Panamera sales worldwide (even though they're not offered Stateside), so to keep oil-burning customers happy, Porsche has announced a series of upgrades.
Set to be unveiled in the flesh at the fast-approaching Frankfurt Motor Show, the new Panamera Diesel packs 300 horsepower. That's 50 hp (or 20 percent) more than the model it replaces, significantly dropping the 0-62 sprint from 6.8 seconds to 6 flat, and raising top speed from 152 miles per Autobahn-crunching hour to 161. While they were at it, Porsche's engineers also fitted the rear differential with torque vectoring (previously reserved for gasoline-burning models) and retuned the transmission and suspension.
You can delve into the press release below for all the details - including the new model's improved towing capacity! - but the reality, for better or worse, is that the Panamera Diesel isn't offered here. So if you've been celebrating Labor Day (or even Labour Day, for our friends to the north) like we have, don't go looking for it at your local dealer, who will have only a Cayenne Diesel to show you instead.

Another naked Porsche 911 GT3 RS caught in Stuttgart parking garage

With its reveal not expected until the Geneva Motor Show in April, we have to wonder why there'd be a rode-hard-put-away-wet 2016 Porsche 911 GT3 RS sitting out in the open, completely uncovered. It's one thing to be caught out on the street or in triplicate at a Swedish gas station, but it's another thing to be on what looks like daily driving duty – there's a child's seat in the passenger's throne. Instagram user Johan9ff snagged it, and in response to a query in German as to how, he answered in German (per Google Translate) that he found it in a parking garage in a fitness center in the Stuttgart suburb of Killesberg. Based on its muddy front lip and bug-spattered paint job, the coupe has been naked out on the street and traveling quickly. Out of its camouflage it looks just like we've been led to expect based on the patent photos and the recent winter spy shots, but this time we get an up-close view of the vents over the front wheels. We have one word to say about them: filthy. And if you're wondering about those turbo-like vents on the rear haunches, no, this isn't a GT2 – Porsche has said there won't be a GT2, the current race-certified GT3 RSR has those vents (occasionally found on the previous version as well), and the GT3 RS has already been leaked in scale-model form. This is it. Based on comments left on Porsche forums, production will be limited by the number of orders – the new engine won't meet European regulations coming into force, so it won't be manufactured after this year. Deliveries are said to start at the beginning of summer; those who bought the 918 Spyder will get first dibs, and you can be certain there won't be enough of these to go around. Speaking of that engine, it's said to be good for somewhere between 510 to 525 horsepower, a PDK transmission getting power to staggered wheels, 20-inchers in front, 21-inchers in the back. Johan9ff has slowly been posting Instagram photos of the beast, we're hoping he got at least one of the interior. Those seats looks mega. Bring on Geneva. Featured Gallery 2016 Porsche 911 GT3 RS News Source: Johan94ff via Instagram Spy Photos Porsche Coupe Luxury Performance

Mark Webber gets early clearance for Porsche departure

If there's no rest for the wicked, there's surely even less rest for the wickedly fast. And make no mistake about it, Mark Webber is wickedly fast. He may not have proven able (or given the opportunity, depending on who you ask) to emerge from Sebastian Vettel's shadow after six seasons partnered with the multiple world champion at Red Bull Racing, but he's still won nine Formula One grands prix, to say nothing of the sports car races he won with Mercedes in the late 90s. But now he's leaving F1 to anchor Porsche's new LMP1 program, and according to the latest reports, he's departing Red Bull for Porsche sooner than expected.
Typically an F1 driver is obliged to stay with his team until the end of the calendar year - not just the end of the racing season - helping out with things like promotional events and fine-tuning next year's car. But news.com.au reports that Red Bull has given him early leave, so once the racing action in Brazil is done on Sunday, he's departing straight for Porsche's racing headquarters in Wiessach, Germany.
It won't be Webber's first visit to the facility, having already swung by to have his new seat fitted. But his early arrival will undoubtedly help him and Porsche get up and running ahead of schedule. The move may have been facilitated by a new sponsorship deal that could see Webber carry Red Bull with him to Le Mans, so don't be too surprised to see the energy drink company's logo on the side of the new Porsche once the new racing season gets under way next year, whether in concert with or instead of the anticipated revival of the Martini Racing livery.