Category: Porsche

50 years ago, Porsche was looking to introduce a stronger, bigger, and more luxurious version of one of its earliest successful models, the Porsche 356. Conceived by Ferdinand “Butzi” Porsche, with the first sketches drawn out in 1959, the company eventually brought its new design to the 1963 Frankfurt Motor Show. No one present yet knew that the automobile presented at that show – with a non-operational engine, no less! – would become the flagship vehicle of one of the most successful and inspiring car brands in the world. Now, Porsche is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Porsche 911 high-performance sports car.

Back at its introduction, the 911 was not called that at all: many of the parts in the car’s earliest runs contained the original model still stamped on them, 901. The name change came about when Peugeot claimed to have the rights to all three-digit car names with a zero in the middle. Rather than squabble, the car’s name was modified to the now iconic “nine eleven” and shipped off around the world, bearing a United States price tag of $6,500.

That 1964 model boasted a top speed of 131 miles per hour, thanks to its 128 horsepower, six cylinder, air-cooled engine. For most of its run, the Porsche stunned other manufacturers for the incredible performance it was able to put out with only air cooling.

Ever since, the 911 has been the flagship Porsche model, one of the most successful racing cars ever designed, and the baseline by which all else in its category is compared. No car is as beloved or as revered as the 911, not just for what it is, but what it inspires in the entire high-performance automobile industry. While it is one of the oldest and most venerated nameplates still in continuous production, constant development has kept it at the bleeding edge of performance and style without compromising the basic concept as dreamt up by Ferdinand Porsche so long ago.

Not one to let the heart of the brand go uncelebrated, Porsche has declared 2013 the Year of the 911 and planned a number of activities for the car’s 50th year on the road. The kickoff event was held at the Stuttgart automobile show with a display known as Retro Classics. The Porsche Museum displayed four exhibits featuring four of the most important 911 models to leave the factory. The models on display include the 911 Turbo Coupe, the 1981 911 Cabriolet concept car, the 1997 911 GT1, and a special Type 754 T7, a vehicle which precedes the first 911 but functions as an important milestone in its design

The Porsche Museum continues the festivities on June 4th running through September 29th, when they will feature an exclusive exhibition entitled “50 Years of the Porsche 911.” Attendees will not only be able to explore the storied history of the vehicle, but purchase a special commemorative coffee table book called “911×911” so they can share the experience with others and relive it themselves years down the road.

Finally, a genuine antique, perfectly restored, will tour the world in the form of a 1967 model 911. This beauty of a car will be shown across five continents and in some of the most prestigious locations known to automobiles, including Pebble Beach, Shanghai, Paris, and more. Keep an eye out for the 1967 911 at such events as international fairs and major motor shows.

There is a reason the 911 has been described by Ferdinand Porsche as the only car that is just as much at home on a rugged African safari as it is on the race track at Le Mans or an evening at the Granada Theater. Its timeless style and everyday elegance belies the power that has led it to over twenty thousand race victories since its release. With the 50 year anniversary, Porsche is sparing no expense in celebrating this model that defines not only the Porsche brand, but the entire high-end sports car market.

The entire 2013 Porsche lineup can be seen at Park Place Porsche in Dallas.

The luxury sport sedan by Porsche has a wide portfolio of credentials to back up its performance. The lineup now includes all wheel and rear wheel drive as well as models that are turbocharged and naturally aspirated. There is even a hybrid trim available for the 2013 Porsche Panamera.

Capable of seating four, the 2013 Porsche Panamera is a sedan style vehicle that comes with a hatchback trunk. There are eight trims available: Base, 4/S, S/Hybrids, GTS and Turbo/S.

The base Panamera comes with a V6 and includes 18-inch wheels, LED daytime lights, automatic xenon headlights, a sunroof and auto-dimming mirrors. Other features include a tilt and telescoping steering column, dual-zone automatic climate control, partial leather upholstery, driver memory functions and an eight-way power front seat. The 4 is the same but with all wheel drive, and the S Hybrid has similar equipment as well.

The Panamera S comes with a V8 while the 4S has all wheel drive, and both maintain the same features as the standard V6 models along with heated front seats, additional interior lighting, adaptive headlights and an adaptive suspension.

The GTS has a V8 and offers much of the features from the Turbo. The Turbo and Turbo S have a V8 along with 19-inch wheels, expanded driver memory functions, front parking sensors and heated rear seats.

As one would expect of Porsche, there are quite a number of Panamera accessories to be added to customize the cars. All of the non-engine options on the Turbo can be added to the S and 4S, for example.

Other options that can be added include adaptive cruise control, rear windshield wiper, ventilated front and rear seats, ceramic-composite brakes, eight-way power rear seats, a heated steering wheel, four-zone climate control, a rear seat entertainment system and a 16-speaker surround sound audio system by Burmester.

The 2013 Porsche Panamera comes with a 3.6-liter V6 engine that can deliver 300 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. From a standstill, the V6 accelerates to 60 miles per hour in just 5.8 seconds. According to the EPA, the fuel economy is estimated to be 18 miles per gallon in the city, 27 miles per gallon on the highway and 21 miles per gallon when combined. On the other hand, the Panamera 4 returns 18/26/21.

The S Hybrid comes with a 3.0-liter supercharged engine paired with a 35kW electric motor capable of producing 428 pound-feet of torque and 380 horsepower. This only comes with an eight-speed automatic transmission with manual shift control sent to the rear wheels. The acceleration brings the S Hybrid to 60 miles per hour in just 5.2 seconds. Naturally, the fuel economy is respectable at 22/30/25.

When it comes to safety, all trims of the 2013 Porsche Panamera are equipped with stability and traction control, side curtain airbags, rear side airbags, front side airbags, front knee airbags and antilock brakes as standard. It is optional to get a rearview camera and ceramic-composite brakes. If the typical brakes are installed, the 4S and Turbo models can come to a halt in just 109 and 112 feet, respectively, which is impressive. The Hybrid takes 112 while the GTS with carbon-ceramic requires 110 feet free of fade.

It is impossible to mistake the Panamera cabin to anything but a top notch Porsche due to its cockpit-like aesthetics and great round of available accessories.

The four seats are all similar when it comes to comfort and appearance. They are well formed and have headrests integrated with the back, offering great support during twisted turns and on long distance hauls.

Even though the 2013 Porsche Panamera is definitely accomplished for a luxury car, it also delivers in high performance. Because of the wide range of engine output depending on the trim, there are more than enough options available for any kind of driver. Normal mode provides a personality for leisure while the Sport mode sharpens the experience.

The Porsche Panamera with the V8 under its hood can offer even better performance when turbocharged, on the level of what supercars offer for acceleration. Nonetheless, the power can easily be served up to perform. The PDK transmission changes gears quickly and flawlessly when the driver strikes down the pedal.

Steering the Panamera always delivers great response as it is precise and is easily comparable to much smaller sports cars outside of it’s segment.

 

The Crazy Beautiful Boxster

When you approach the new 2013 Porsche Boxster, you can talk about things like style, performance and affordability, but most importantly, the rush, which according to one owner, will never stop. “The design of this car is crazy beautiful. Every day when I go out to the garage, it’s going to excite me,” he declared online. The 2013 Boxster is obviously a machine that must be seen and driven to be believed.

An Uncannily Efficient Car

The design of the new Boxster is not just amazing to look at; it actually works in an “uncannily efficient” way, as one reviewer put it. That is due to Porsche’s very earthy engineering smarts and unrelenting persistence in the search for excellence in design. The Boxster has been improved and upgraded nearly every year since 1997.

Impressive Fuel Economy

For 2013, the Boxster has improved torsional rigidity and a lower center of gravity. A new platform has been implemented using more aluminum than ever to produce a vehicle that is 55 pounds lighter than before. This translates into better aerodynamics and impressive fuel economy for a performance car: 20 mpg city and 30 mpg highway.

Engine Lowdown

The 2.7-liter V-6 engine delivers 265 hp with 207 lb-ft torque and acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds. The Boxster S houses a 3.4-liter V6 engine that packs a roaring 315 hp and 266 lb-ft torque and an amazing 4.8 second 0 to 60 mph acceleration rate. You can choose from the tactile six-speed manual transmission or the seven-speed dual clutch automatic.

How it Handles

Stability in the Boxster has been improved, thanks to a new wider platform. As one reviewer remarked, this “makes it very, very easy to drive quickly, and overall cornering stability is improved.” Another improvement, Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV), maximizes the efficiency of rear brakes for turning and cornering. PTV operates independently of stability control, giving drivers a lighter hand for enhanced handling.

Extra Roomy

The Porsche Boxster is one of the few sports cars that can accommodate tall drivers, and thanks to an overall longer wheelbase, there is more space to stretch out. There is also more room for cargo due to the way the retractable roof folds into its own compartment, leaving plenty of cargo space in the trunk.

The Affordable Porsche

The entry-level Boxster is as close as you can get to a cost-effective performance sports car. The good news is you are getting unbelievable quality for a relatively small price. As one Porsche review in Car and Driver put it, “Porsche’s best car is now its entry-level one.” Another review in Autoweek states that as sports cars go, the Boxster is “one of the best you can get. That you can get a base model for $49,000 blows my mind—that is a heck of a deal.”

“Just a Hell of a Good Sports Car”

Though you’ll have to arm yourself against love at first sight, if you are in the market for a new sports car, don’t miss out on the new Porsche Boxster. Its styling, amazing rev and budget- friendly price are definitely worth a test drive. The 2013 Porsche Boxster is “just a hell of a good sports car that’s fast, comfortable, and features terrific handling,” concludes Autoweek’s review.

See our 2013 Boxster Inventory at the Park Place Porsche website.