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1986 Porsche 959 Prototype at Barrett-Jackson sees gavel fall at $440,000 [UPDATE: w/video]

Fans of Porsche in America have longed for the chance to buy a 959 ever since the German automaker produced and sold it (well, sold it everywhere but the United States...) in the 1980s. Well, they just had their chance. The car you see above is a Porsche 959 prototype built in 1986, and only one other running prototype still exists.
The 959 prototype can't be driven on public roads, as it carries no such certification. Somehow, we doubt that matters all that much to the new buyer - this one is probably going to be sitting in a collection. When the gavel finally fell, bidding had reached $400,000, plus a 10-percent buyer's fee.
Check out our high-res image gallery above to see this prototype up close, and scroll down below to watch a video of it crossing the auction block and for its official auction description.

Porsche wants a better 'connected car' [UPDATE]

UPDATE: In an earlier version of this story we mistakenly identified Joe Lawrence as the CEO of Porsche Cars North America; Lawrence is in fact the Chief Operating Officer, COO, of PCNA. The text has been changed to reflect this. Porsche is known for great engineering, but it's usually the type that leads to fantastic engines and sublime handling, rather than cutting-edge infotainment systems. The company wants to alter that balance in the future to put a greater emphasis on connectivity in its models. Porsche Cars North America COO Joe Lawrence outlined the brand's goals during a speech at the Bloomberg Innovation Forum in Atlanta, according to Automotive News. "Recognizing the phone is so ubiquitous in every sector, how do we integrate that into driving experience in a way that is safe and enjoyable?" he said. Lawrence suggested the company might be working with Google and Apple on future solutions. Even if Porsche is working on making more tech savvy models, don't expect the company to forget its roots. Brand boss Matthias Muller also broached connectivity during his recent speech at a conference and said the sports car business' customers didn't want "a smartphone on four wheels." He promised investments in research and development to come up with an answer. In the same speech, Muller strongly suggested fully electric Porsche models were on the way and also announced a seventh model line coming in the future. Lawrence reiterated the company's future, as well, in his address. "We will see further electrification of our product line," he said, according to Automotive News. Rumors of Porsche building a Tesla-fighter have been circulating as of late. The vehicle is possibly in the body of the smaller Panamera called the Pajun, and it could offer a 300-mile range with an electric motor at each axle kicking out a reported total of 600 horsepower. Related Video:

Audi welcomes Porsche back to Le Mans like any sibling would

Ah, sibling rivalry. It really is a beautiful thing. It's even more beautiful when said siblings are automakers with very, very well-known racing histories. That's how you get videos like this, which is Audi's way of welcoming Porsche back to the top flight of Le Mans racing.
Yes, Audi has taken its R18 E-Tron Quattro back onto public roads, wowing schoolboys and scaring farmers (who appear to be riding classic Porsche tractors), as it travels from Ingolstadt to Zuffenhausen, just to taunt its corporate frenemy.
Take a look below for a video to see just what that teasing looks like.