Custom Alloys, Manual Transmission on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Porsche-Piech buy 10% stake in VW's holding company

In August, 2009, as the scuttled merger of Porsche and Volkswagen had gone bad and Porsche was backed up against the ropes, Porsche Automobil Holding SE (PAHSE) relinquished a ten-percent stake in itself to Qatar Holdings as well as options it held on 17 percent of VW shares. The sale meant that, for the first time since the founding of the company 61 years before, an entity outside the Porsche and Piech families had a say in the running of PAHSE.
Buying that ten-percent stake back returns full ownership to the two families, the holding company's sole possession being ownership of 50.7 percent of VW's common shares. The price paid wasn't disclosed, but at market rates the purchase would be worth close to $1.25 billion. Qatar intends to hold onto the 17-percent stake it has in Volkswagen.

Porsche 911 celebrates 50 years of iconic motoring

Back in 1963, Porsche debuted the very first 911 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. And over the last 50 years, that coupe has grown to become one of the most iconic sports cars of all time. That in mind, you could easily chalk up this 50th Anniversary model as just one of the many special edition 911s that have graced our roads over the years, but dig a bit deeper and you'll see that this one is far more than just some unique paint and different wheels.
For starters, the 911 50th Anniversary Edition utilizes the wider Carrera 4/4S body, but retains its standard rear-wheel-drive configuration. Power comes from the Carrera S' 3.8-liter flat-six engine, but features a Powerkit upgrade that includes the Sport Chrono package and ups overall output to 400 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. Hitting 60 miles per hour takes just 3.8 seconds if the car is fitted with Porsche's dual-clutch PDK gearbox, or 4.2 seconds if you choose the row-your-own seven-speed manual. Talk about going Over The Hill with a quickness.
Despite looking pretty tame, we're really hot on the appearance of this special 911, with its throwback flat gray paint job and new 20-inch wheels that look remarkably similar to the original Fuchs alloys of the 1963 model. Inside, you'll find green lettering on the instrument displays, white pointer needles and silver accents, and the leather seats have a fabric insert that's similar to the Pepita cloth from the original 911.

Porsche boss admits Panamera's style is offputting

"There have been some small mistakes and we will do it better. For example the design could be better." - Matthias Mueller.
The design of the Porsche Panamera has been divisive, to say the least. Pretty much any Porsche with four doors was going to draw the ire of enthusiasts, but the fast-back-style roofline, prominent curves and seemingly never-ending hood have particularly irked some brand loyalists.