2012 Porsche Cayenne Turbo Sport Utility 4-door 4.8l on 2040-cars

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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:

$76,400 Porsche S E-Hybrid will debut in Paris

The 2015 Porsche Cayenne S E Hybrid will be an all-new model, one that adds a plug – and the required associated technological bits – to the currently available Cayenne S Hybrid. The most important of those bits is a 10.8-kWh lithium-ion battery, but Porsche's Calvin Kim told AutoblogGreen that the SUV's electric-only range is still pending certification, but Hybrid Cars says that Porsche is estimating it'll be somewhere between 11 and 22 miles, "depending on the style of driving and route topography." Other than the new battery, the electric motor has been upgraded to a 95 horsepower/70 kW unit (up from the 47-hp/34 kW motor in the Cayenne hybrid without a plug). The overall powertrain now puts out a total of 416 hp and can go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 5.4 seconds. Alongside the electric parts, there's a 3.0-liter supercharged V6 engine and an 8-speed automatic transmission. You can find all of the E-Hybrid's available specs here and stay tuned for more information on the new plug-in SUV when it makes its debut at the Paris Motor Show in early October. The SUV will go on sale in the US on November 1, 2014 with a starting MSRP of $76,400, plus a destination charge of $995. In a new press release (available below), Porsche is also proudly saying, once again, that it will be the world's only automaker offering three plug-in hybrid models, once the Cayenne S E-Hybrid hits the market. The others are the Panamera S E-Hybrid and the 918 Spyder. How long will this reign at the top last? World premiere of the Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid in Paris Leading the industry: Porsche offers three plug-in hybrid models Stuttgart/Atlanta. The new Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid celebrates its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show. It is the world's first luxury SUV to offer a plug-in hybrid drive, setting new standards in its segment. The Cayenne S E-Hybrid also makes Porsche the leading manufacturer of plug-in hybrid vehicles: Complementing the Panamera S E-Hybrid and the 918 Spyder, Porsche is the only manufacturer worldwide to offer three plug-in hybrids. In addition to the Cayenne S E-Hybrid, Porsche is presenting the other models that comprise the new generation of Cayenne including the Cayenne S, Cayenne Turbo, and Cayenne Diesel. Increased efficiency and performance, even more precise handling, a sharper design and a broadened array of standard equipment are its defining features.

Auto journalist ordered to pay big money for blowing up Porsche 917 engine [UPDATE]

Racecars blow engines all the time, but a Porsche 917 isn't just a run-of-the-mill racecar. British automotive writer Mark Hales reportedly borrowed a 917 from 82-year-old former Formula One racer David Piper for a magazine article, and mechanical tragedy ensued. Nobody is arguing that the engine failed after being spun to 8,200 rpm. However, Hales was warned not to exceed 7,000 rpm, says owner Piper, and the affair landed in English courts with Piper seeking £50,000 - over $79,000 US - in reimbursement funds for an engine rebuild and loss of use of the car while it was being repaired. Judge Simon Brown ruled in favor of car owner Piper, putting Hales on the hook for £110,000 ($174,000) including legal fees - a whole lot of money in any language.
Hales says the Porsche suffered a mechanical fault while lapping that allowed it to slip out of gear and over-rev. Piper wasn't convinced, and sought to have the repair paid for by the guy who broke the racer, saying "If you bend it, you mend it." It's not like Hales is a novice driver, having seat time in both professional and amateur races over 30 years, notching about 150 wins, but even the best drivers sometimes miss a shift, and that's what Piper contended happened to his car.
According to reports, Hales has had to sell most of his valuables to pay his lawyers and is now facing bankruptcy with the ruling against him. Members of the Pistonheads website are trying to coordinate a collection to help him out, as well.