Is Porsche Bringing Diesel Back?

The latest German automaker to defend diesel.

Just because Porsche is pumping billions of dollars into its electric programs doesn't mean the company has any intention of abandoning diesel engines, contradicting earlier statements. Porsche’s Chairman of the Executive Board, Oliver Blume, says the company has declared it is 100 percent committed to keeping the ICE alive because it will remain an integral part of the industry for the foreseeable future. Blume then emphasized that Porsche considers the demand for diesel engines to be very much alive.

“Porsche does not develop or manufacture its own diesel engines, and there are no plans to change that in the future,” said Blume. “All the same, there’s no reason to just suddenly abandon diesel.” Porsche’s commitment to diesel engines is for the same reason its rivals are equally addicted; diesel engines generally produce less CO2 emissions than gasoline ones, which is important to achieving mandated CO2 emission target. Only 14 percent of Porsche vehicles sold worldwide feature an oil burner, but it's enough, especially in places like Europe where diesel equipped Panameras, Cayennes, and Macans are popular.

“There are many markets, such as in Southern Europe, where people really don’t understand Germany’s current discussion about the future of diesel. There, 80 percent of customers buy a diesel car,” Blume elaborated. But even Porsche knows the day will come when internal combustion is no longer viable. Blume even goes so far as to put a number on it, according to the chairman, the last ICE-powered Porsche will probably be released in 2030. Claiming it would happen faster if not for technical, structural, and economic factors holding up the process.

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Porsche Is Bringing Back The 911 Speedster

This highly limited 911 marks the end of the 991.2-generation 911.

We all know money is part of it, but Porsche insists that it’s in the game for its fans. Even though its cars cost a pretty penny, it loves to make special editions that recount some of the most rare and popular models it has ever made. The current 911R is a shoutout to the ultra-rare 1967 Porsche 911R that only saw 20 examples ever made, but it's not all Porsche has in store for the 991.2-generation 911. That's because Car Magazine has learned that Porsche is planning to debut a 911 Speedster at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show.

It’ll replace the previous-generation 997 911 Speedster that came out in 2010 and marked the end of its respective 911 generation. To celebrate its life, the Speedster came with its characteristic look, embodied by a shorter windshield, large rear end, unique body kit, new front fascia, and a convertible design with a strange double bubble roof cover at the rear. In typical 911 Speedster tradition, this 991.2-generation Speedster will mark the end of its generation, which will soon be replaced by the 992-generation 911. It’s recommended that performance seekers stick with the 911 GT2 RS. That’s because the last 911 Speedster featured a 3.8-liter flat-six engine from the GTS that made "only" 402 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque.

Car Magazine claims it wasn’t the most impressive thing to drive, but luckily the new 911 Speedster should have a more spritely engine provided it gets its power from the current 911 GTS. If that’s the case, expect it to come with a 3.0-liter twin-turbo flat-six engine making 450 horsepower and 405 lb-ft of torque. Being a special edition, it’ll also cost a heck of a lot more than the $120,000 911 GTS. That’s a tradition purists may not be so happy about because it means they can expect to shell out over $200,000 for the sports car. At least it won’t all be for the bragging rights because with 356-unit production run (an ode to the original Porsche 356 Speedster), it’ll hit collector status in no time.

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Techart Bringing Stunning Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo To Geneva

Modified outside and under the hood, it's the interior that appears to have received the most attention.

Set for a world premiere next week at Geneva is this Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo tuned by German-based Techart. Techart calls it the GrandGT Supreme styling package, specifically for the Panamera Sport Turismo. Styling wise, it dramatically enhances the car’s presence, starting with a set of 22-inch wheels with the entire car painted in gorgeous racing green. Also added is a Techart sport exhaust system with titanium and carbon fiber tailpipes. But it’s the interior that’s received the most attention.

Techart’s in-house team of expert craftsman developed an un-embossed Nappa leather with a smooth and natural texture that covers the entire interior, including the footwell and door panels. The leather has been vegetable-tanned so that it’s free of chromium. Also take note, in the included photos, of some of the finer details, such as the handmade multi-color stitching and customized Techart sport steering wheel. Under the hood lies the Panamera Turbo’s 4.0-liter bi-turbo V8 whose output has been increased from 550 hp to 640 hp. This engine upgrade also reduces 0-62 mph time to just 3.4 seconds and 0-124 mph in 8.3 seconds.

In addition to the Panamera Sport Turismo GrandGT Supreme, Techart will also display a modified 911 GT3 and 911 Turbo, both with all sorts of carbon fiber accessories, along with range of tuned Macans. We'll have full coverage starting next week straight from Geneva, so stay tuned.

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Here's The Problem With Bringing Back The Acura Integra

Time to party like it's 1999?

In some ways, Acura hasn’t been the same ever since the Integra and its RSX direct successor left the market over a decade ago. Acura was one of the first to prove that a front-wheel-drive coupe can be extremely fun to drive, and the Integra Type R has earned sort of a legendary status. Knowing that and given the fact Acura wants younger buyers, shouldn’t it at least consider the idea of a reborn Integra/RSX? We spoke with Acura RDX engineer Steve Hansen, who happens to be in the market for an Integra Type R, about this very question at Detroit.

“With the new RDX, Acura is going back to its roots of precision performance,” Hansen explained. So naturally that made us wonder whether there’s room in the lineup for a hot new coupe. Nope, and here’s the reason(s) why: the Honda Civic Si and Civic Type R. “The Si, as we all know, is available as both a sedan and coupe, and it makes little to no sense, financially speaking, to re-body and restyle the Civic,” Hansen said. In fact, the Acura ILX compact sedan is based on the previous generation Civic platform, and ILX sales haven’t exactly been stellar. Another factor to consider is the significant push upmarket Honda did with the new Civic, and for the price point, performance and overall packaging, it’s pretty hard to beat the Si.

However, Acura will be bringing back the Type S trim in the near future, but neither Hansen nor anyone else from Acura offered any specifics as to which model(s) will be involved. Our best guess is the TLX sedan. After spending some time with the car, we criticized it for simply not being sporty enough. The TLX is no serious threat to the likes of the BMW 3 Series, so clearly there's room for improvement. As for the RLX large sedan? Despite its recent makeover, we can't see how it can ever gain a true sporty flavor. The ILX? Word has it it's time is nearly up. Type S will also likely be applied to Acura's true strengths: SUVs such as the upcoming third-generation RDX.

We also wouldn't be surprised to see a subcompact SUV arrive at some point as well. Given all that, a new coupe seems pretty unlikely. So it’s probably for the best to give up any hope of a reborn Integra/RSX. There’s really no need to be sad because we now have the new Civic Si and Type R, unless the Acura badge is a must-have.

View the original article here

Here's The Problem With Bringing Back The Acura Integra

Time to party like it's 1999?

In some ways, Acura hasn’t been the same ever since the Integra and its RSX direct successor left the market over a decade ago. Acura was one of the first to prove that a front-wheel-drive coupe can be extremely fun to drive, and the Integra Type R has earned sort of a legendary status. Knowing that and given the fact Acura wants younger buyers, shouldn’t it at least consider the idea of a reborn Integra/RSX? We spoke with Acura RDX engineer Steve Hansen, who happens to be in the market for an Integra Type R, about this very question at Detroit.

“With the new RDX, Acura is going back to its roots of precision performance,” Hansen explained. So naturally that made us wonder whether there’s room in the lineup for a hot new coupe. Nope, and here’s the reason(s) why: the Honda Civic Si and Civic Type R. “The Si, as we all know, is available as both a sedan and coupe, and it makes little to no sense, financially speaking, to re-body and restyle the Civic,” Hansen said. In fact, the Acura ILX compact sedan is based on the previous generation Civic platform, and ILX sales haven’t exactly been stellar. Another factor to consider is the significant push upmarket Honda did with the new Civic, and for the price point, performance and overall packaging, it’s pretty hard to beat the Si.

However, Acura will be bringing back the Type S trim in the near future, but neither Hansen nor anyone else from Acura offered any specifics as to which model(s) will be involved. Our best guess is the TLX sedan. After spending some time with the car, we criticized it for simply not being sporty enough. The TLX is no serious threat to the likes of the BMW 3 Series, so clearly there's room for improvement. As for the RLX large sedan? Despite its recent makeover, we can't see how it can ever gain a true sporty flavor. The ILX? Word has it it's time is nearly up. Type S will also likely be applied to Acura's true strengths: SUVs such as the upcoming third-generation RDX.

We also wouldn't be surprised to see a subcompact SUV arrive at some point as well. Given all that, a new coupe seems pretty unlikely. So it’s probably for the best to give up any hope of a reborn Integra/RSX. There’s really no need to be sad because we now have the new Civic Si and Type R, unless the Acura badge is a must-have.

View the original article here