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Porsche is planning a hybrid version of the 911

Changes at Porsche are coming thick and hot. It's been a few decades since the last major engine technology change – the very dramatic shift from air- to water-cooling. Now we're seeing a turbo shift, in which even pedestrian 911s, Caymans, and Boxsters are being fitted with turbos. Next up is hybrid proliferation throughout the manufacturer's full range. Hybrids aren't new to the Porsche lineup, of course. The Panamera hybrid has appeared in two forms, one in 2012 and one in 2015. Likewise, the Cayenne hybrid was recently upgraded to plug-in spec. The 918 Spyder is also a plug-in hybrid. The 911, Cayman, and Boxster have been left off the hybridization program so far, but that's about to change. The 911 is "next in line" for hybrid tech, says Lutz Meschke, a board member at Porsche AG. That means we'll likely see a hybrid 911 before the fully-electric production Mission E arrives. Every Porsche model will eventually get a gas-electric option, so the Macan crossover and 718 Boxster and Cayman will follow the iconic sports car's lead soon. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. The turbocharged base 911 has fractured critical opinion somewhat, although we loved our first drive of the 2017 911 Carrera with its twin-turbo flat-six engine. Do you fear or welcome the coming hybrid epoch? Let us know in the comments. Related Video:

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.

A few pre-race notes and a lot of photos from the 24 Hours of Le Mans

The 82nd running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans is on.
Audi has won 12 of the last 15 events, the scion of Auto Union is trying to make it 13 this year. To do so, it will have to overcome a situation faced only three other times during its dominance of La Sarthe: underdog status. Toyota has won the first two races of the year and claimed pole for this race, the rumor being that this year it's Toyota's race to lose.
And then there's Porsche. It's been 16 years since the Stuttgart brand raced on the top rung at Le Mans, three years years since it announced its return, just a year since it acquired Mark Webber in a signing that wasn't subtle and a few months since we got eyes on the 919 Hybrid.