The changes run more than skin deep. Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) is standard on the GTS Cabriolet and Targa models. GTS Coupes get PASM Sport Suspension, which drops the ride height 0.4 inch, though the standard PASM setup is available for those who want the option to dial up a more comfortable ride. Standard brakes are steel, straight from the Carrera 4S, but there's an additional air duct on the lower rear wishbone to improve cooling. As on the Carrera S, 4S, and the Targa 4S, the steering ratio is 10 percent sharper than that of a regular Carrera, and rear-wheel steering is available as an option. The Sport Chrono Package also delivers electronically controlled dynamic engine mounts to minimize NVH and counter unwanted drivetrain motions during cornering. 911. Porsche says all GTS models are at least 0.2 second quicker to 60 mph than a Carrera S or 4S, and up to 3 miles per hour faster.
The quickest accelerating of the GTS models, the all-wheel drive Carrera 4 GTS Coupe, will hit 60 mph in 3.4 seconds. The rear-drive Coupe is the fastest of the bunch, with a top speed of 193 mph. We sampled a manual Carrera 4 GTS Coupe on the short but entertaining Killarney racetrack just outside Cape Town, South Africa, and a PDK-equipped GTS Cabriolet on roads around the beautifully situated city. The all-wheel drive Coupe impressed with its velvety punch out of tight corners, its confidence-inspiring stability and grip through fast sweepers, and its smooth power all the way to the redline. It was entertaining to drive a three-pedal car quickly on the track again, and the oily, rifle-bolt action of the shifter confirmed Porsche is one of the few automakers still spending time and money developing old-school manual transmissions. If the seven-speeder has a weakness, it's the fourth-fifth shift; you simply can't rush it or you'll almost invariably get the wrong gear. It's here that the foolproof PDK most emphatically makes its case as the transmission of choice for serious track work. With its PDK transmission and slightly more compliant damping, the GTS Cabriolet proved to be a remarkably relaxed cruiser on South African roads. Yet a quick twist of the steering wheel mounted Sport Chrono controller to Sport Plus mode instantly stiffened the 911's sinews and sharpened its responses, the throaty exhaust snap crackling behind you. Easy going when you need it to be, quick and agile when you want it to be, the GTS Cabriolet reinforced yet again the 911's peerless reputation as the 24/7 supercar. Porsche has niched the niche so well there now seems to be a 911 for every occasion.
Reuters report in which the news service discovered that almost all of the solar cell production at Tesla鈥檚 solar factory in Buffalo, New York is being sold overseas, primarily to a large Asian buyer. 500 million per yer in the State over 10 years. 500 million per year. The factory has become little more than a solar cell production facility for Panasonic paid for by U.S. Panasonic produces the solar cells in the factory that were supposed to be used in Solar City鈥檚 solar panels. The problem is that Solar City鈥檚 sales are approaching zero. In California only 21 Solar City roof systems are connected to the State鈥檚 three investor-owned utilities as the end of February. Panasonic is seeking to use the Buffalo plant to fulfill demand for U.S. Earlier this year Panasonic announced that it was suspending plans to expand capacity at Tesla鈥檚 Gigafactory. It also suspended planned investment in Tesla鈥檚 Shanghai Gigafactory.
The decision to curtail investment in Tesla鈥檚 U.S. Gigafactory was based on declining sales in the Models S and X and on Model 3 sales which are running below plan. 181 million in its fiscal year that ended in March. Panasonic was likely not interested in repeating that experience as a 鈥減artner鈥?in Tesla鈥檚 Shanghai operations. What鈥檚 interesting about the two situations described above is that, more than anyone outside of Tesla鈥檚 corporate suite, Panasonic has an up close inside look at the truth behind Tesla鈥檚 operations and financials. It鈥檚 quite clear that Panasonic is in financial loss containment mode with respect to its relationship with Tesla. In this regard, Panasonic is signaling that Tesla is in deep trouble operationally and financially. Panasonic鈥檚 withdrawal from its relationship with Tesla reflects the same critical information about Telsa as the steady stream of high level executive departures over the last year, the rate of which accelerated over the last 4-6 months. Clearly the message is that Tesla is now in an irreversible death spiral. 309 in the new converts. 309 from now to eternity. 20 million in fees skimmed on the derivatives used for the hedge. It was nothing more than vultures who are closest to the carcass grabbing the choicest cuts of meat. 10 valuation on Tesla. 10 dollar valuation is Morgan Stanley鈥檚 鈥渃ode鈥?for, 鈥渢he stock is worthless if Tesla has to file鈥?(which it will sooner or later).