As anticipated and now confirmed, the venerable Porsche 911 is no longer naturally aspirated. Only turbocharged engines will be available across the lineup, and some Porsche purists are surely unsettled, to say the least. Both the base 911 and the uprated S model receive the new, smaller displacement powerplants, all in the name of fuel efficiency. The entry model is rated at 370 hp and 325 lb-ft, increases of 20 hp and 43 lb-ft over last year鈥檚 motor. The sprint to 60 mph from a standstill will hit your speedometer in 4.4 seconds. The higher-zoot S model produces 420 hp and 368 lb-ft, propelling the car to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds. Are there other updates..? Of course鈥?Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) is now standard on all 911s. The infotainment system has been updated and is now standard as well. Front and rear fascia designs are redone, including the three-dimensional taillight design first seen on the Macan. Active air intake flaps in front open and close as needed, to improve airflow or cooling. Another 911, another success. What is arguably the best everyday sports car just got better. Don鈥檛 let the turbo scare you away. One drive and these new engines will win you over.
The front fascia features a spoiler lip that is larger than on the previous model, increasing downforce in conjunction with the larger side skirts. At the rear, the large wing mounted on the carbon fiber deck lid works in combination with a rear underbody diffuser. The result is more than twice the downforce of the regular GT3 on which the car is based. The rear-wheel-steering system has been sharpened and a new set of forged wheels measuring 20 inches up front and 21 inches in the rear have been fitted. These wheels are shod with 265/35 and 325/30 tires, respectively. Furthermore, the updated GT3 RS's suspension features new helper springs at the front axle, in addition to the rear. These work in conjunction with a set of standard active dampers. And weight has been reduced thanks to the addition of a lighter engine cover, new carbon fiber shells for the seats, and reduced sound-deadening material. Further weight can be shed by adding an available Weissach Package, as well as choosing magnesium wheels (only available with Weissach Package) over the standard forged set and carbon-ceramic brake discs over the standard cast iron set. When equipped with these options, the curb weight of the car drops to 3,153 pounds. 13,000. Porsche options, you know.
My first approach is to ask him if he wants anything - it is often a waste of breath as he will 'um' and 'ah' and tell me that he will think about it for weeks on end. Often that is the last I hear of it, but occasionally he will ponder the question for what seems like months and will finally come up with a single CD or DVD that he might want. So, more often than not, I don't even bother waiting for him to think of something that he wants and just go with my instincts about what I think he might like. Fortunately, the advent of the internet has made it possible to do all my research and even buy most things online without having to schlep round the shops getting increasingly agitated with his lack of direction. One of the richest seams of inspiration I have found is the wide range of gift experiences available which he always loves. He has noticed that there is a bit of a theme to the gifts he gets now, but he is certainly not complaining about the fact that he is getting experience gifts for most special events. Apart from anything, his job is pretty boring so he loves the chance to enjoy some excitement when he's not in the office. From a suit and tie throughout the week to an real action hero during his time off, I am often spoilt for choice for gift ideas for him now.
With the very recent report of an all new cross-coupe SUV. VW made a surprise release of this concept at the Tokyo Motor Show. This is the first model to use the MQB chassis which will be used for the next Golf and Audi TT. With it's bold front end styling and sloping roof line, executive director of Volkswagen design Klaus Bischoff said "It is the future face of all VW SUVs". This concept which is smaller than the current Tiguan, offers a sporty SUV but is still capable of going off-road. Featuring all-wheel drive and powered by a TSI turbo-charged engine and two electric motors, this plug-in hybrid has a total of 262bhp. 0-100km/h is said to be close to 7 seconds. The cross coupe is also able of driving 25 miles in two-wheel drive on pure electric. No details or timeline have been released if this model will see production.