2013 Porsche 911 Carrera on 2040-cars

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New European charging network will offer speeds up to 350 kW

It's about to get easier to fast-charge your electric vehicle across Europe thanks to four major automakers working together in a new joint venture. BMW, Daimler (Mercedes-Benz), Ford, and the VW Group (Audi and Porsche) have all signed a Memorandum of Understanding to install about 400 DC fast charging sites in Europe. As you may know, there are different types of fast chargers, but the ones that this group is talking about installing will be able to charge an EV in much less time than other stations. That's because these chargers will offer power levels of "up to 350 kW." Compare that to what's generally considered the current gold standard, the Tesla Superchargers, which have rates of up to 145 kW and a statement not that long ago from a Ford exec that suggested that 150 kW chargers would be the new normal. Of course, the Tesla chargers use the company's proprietary connector and the new network the JV is setting up will use the CCS standard. The first new stations will go up in 2017 and those 400 sites are just the beginning. A joint statement by the JV says that EV drivers will "have access to thousands of high-powered charging points" by 2020 along highways and main roads. "The charging experience is expected to evolve to be as convenient as refueling at conventional gas stations," the companies said. While not every electric vehicle will be able to take advantage of the 350 kW charging rate, the companies involved would be silly to build the infrastructure without vehicles that can handle that kind of energy flow. The JV says it would welcome participation from other automakers and will cooperate with interested regional partners. Related Video: News Source: Daimler Green Audi BMW Ford Mercedes-Benz Porsche Volkswagen Electric fast charging

Photos Of 2017 Porsche Panamera Leaked Ahead Of Debut | Autoblog Minute

Leaked photos give us a glimpse of the 2017 Porsche Panamera ahead of its official debut next week. Porsche Autoblog Minute Videos Original Video photos panamera

Steve McQueen's last Porsche headed for auction

Most people might be happy ordering a new car off a lot, but Steve McQueen was most definitely not "most people." The Hollywood icon was known to custom-order his cars. What you see here is the last car McQueen would ever order, and now it's going up for auction. This is a 1976 Porsche 911 Turbo Carrera (known to aficionados as the 930) that the actor had done up in Slate Gray, with sunroof, dual mirrors, a limited-slip differential, black sports seats, and a switch on the dashboard to kill the taillights in case he was being pursued at night. Chassis number 9306800408 is powered by a 3.0-liter flat six that's turbocharged but (in a rare early configuration) not intercooled. The air-cooled engine features Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection and drives 234 horsepower through a four-speed to the rear wheels. McQueen ordered the 930 new from Bob Smith Porsche in Hollywood. He died a few years later, never having special-ordered another new car – making this the last of its kind. "This car is rich in history," said his son Chad McQueen. "This is the last of the McQueen cars, really. That's known. That's real." And it can be yours, if you place the right bid. Mecum Auctions has it on consignment for its upcoming event during Monterey Car Week, with a portion of the proceeds to benefit Boys Republic – McQueen's own alma mater. STEVE MCQUEEN'S LAST SPECIAL-ORDER PORSCHE TO BE OFFERED AT MECUM MONTEREY 1976 Porsche Turbo 930 Personalized by The King of Cool to Cross the Block Aug. 15 WALWORTH, Wis. – July 14, 2015 – The very last car special-ordered by The King of Cool—the late mega movie star Steve McQueen—will be offered for sale at the Mecum Daytime Auction in Monterey this Aug. 13-15 at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa – Del Monte Golf Course. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the 1976 Porsche 930 Turbo Carrera will be donated to McQueen's alma mater, the reform school Boys Republic. "This car is rich in history," says McQueen's son Chad. "This is the last of the McQueen cars, really. That's known. That's real." McQueen's untimely death in 1980 at age 50 made this 1976 Porsche 930, chassis 9306800408, the very last of his special-order cars. His insatiable and notorious need for speed and his affinity for fine automobiles meant always having the best sets of wheels, and his Porsche 930 is no exception.