Porsche Is Relaunching

2023 Author: Eric Donovan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-08-25 09:36

With its Wolfsburg program, Porsche is not only embarking on an exciting future economically. In 2008/2009 the new versions of the 911 and Cayman will come; At the end of this year, the Panamera is already flashing around the corner.

By Stefan Grundhoff

At the Geneva Motor Show, Porsche served warm meals. Well-known versions from Zuffenhausen had to bridge the gap until the model updates of the 911, Boxster and Cayman left the showrooms. The prototypes are currently running their last test kilometers. The new 911 Carrera 2 of the 997 series is due to hit the market in time for the new model year in summer; the all-wheel drive models of the 911 a little later. The design has changed only marginally with slight changes to the aprons, headlight units and interior. Among other things, there are new xenon headlights with curve function and LED taillights.

Power injection for 911s

Much more interesting are the changes under the sheet metal trim of the 911. First of all, there is a power boost for the 911 and 911 S. The basic version will have 345 HP instead of 325. So that the gap to the S version remains more befitting than ever, the large six-cylinder of the Carrera S increases to 385 hp and thus has even more power than the current 911 sports kit, which elicits 381 hp from the boxer in the rear.

Despite the increase in output, the six-cylinder engines are said to consume more than ten percent less fuel thanks to modern gasoline direct injection. The standard consumption of the 345 hp 911 Carrera 2 would therefore be less than ten liters per 100 kilometers. The aged automatic converter has finally had its day. With the revised 911 range, the Zuffenhausen-based company is introducing the newly developed dual-clutch transmission for the first time, which should not only enable sporty driving, but also significantly reduce fuel consumption.

Panamera from April 2009

The smaller Cayman and Boxster models will also offer more performance, less consumption and slight retouching of the design next year. The two-seater double also gets new xenon headlights and modern LED taillights. Direct fuel injection brings the top model Cayman S to over 300 hp. In the medium term, the optionally available automatic is to be replaced by an extremely fast dual-clutch transmission.

However, all of this is far less innovative than the new Porsche Panamera, which is set to give the sporty four-door vehicles such as BMW M5, Mercedes CLS and Maserati Quattroporte legs a boost from the beginning of next year. It will not only be available with direct injection, but also with a hybrid drive. This later also applies to the large Porsche SUV Cayenne. In 2009 it will even be offered with a powerful diesel engine from VW / Audi.