In a recent interview, Porsche CEO Matthias Mueller revealed some interesting details about the company's strategy to double sales by 2018.
First and foremost, Mueller wants to "improve coordination between our model line product life cycles" by launching new models annually. This will kick off with the introduction of the new 911 and be followed in 2012 with the launch of the redesigned Boxster and Cayman.
Sadly, noting that there are already 22 derivatives of the current 911, Mueller promised that more are coming and not just to the 911 lineup. This means we can expect to see more variations of the Boxster, Cayman, Panamera, and Cayenne.
When asked what is coming for the Panamera facelift, the 57 year old mentioned sportier styling, a possible extended-wheelbase variant, and a plug-in hybrid concept. He also talked about a Panamera coupe, but stated the company is keeping their options open and isn't in a rush to add additional variants as the model is already a resounding sales success.
As for the oft-rumored 929 supercar, Mueller suggested there was room for such a model between the 911 GT2 RS and 918 Spyder. The company is currently evaluating the idea and should reach a decision by the middle of the year. If approved, the car would battle offerings from Lamborghini, Ferrari, and McLaren.
More interestingly, Mueller thinks EVs are overhyped and will only represent a small portion (3-5%) of all automotive sales by 2020. While this seemingly rules out production of the Boxster E prototype, the company is fully committed to offering hybrid variants of all models.
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Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Giorgetto Giuigiaro and his Italdesign studio have a long history of collaboration with the Volkswagen Group. In addition to having designed the original Golf and Scirocco, Guigiaro has penned a whole slew of showcars for the German automotive empire from the Volkswagen W12 concept to the numerous Seat designs, to say nothing of all the Lamborghini and Bugatti models over the years. But the relationship between Italdesign and Volkswagen grew that much closer when the latter acquired the former last May. Now close to a year later, we have our first glimpse at the first product of that collaboration in the form of two concept cars.
The pair were apparently leaked from the European patent registry and could be Giugiaro's vision of the form which the next-generation Golf and Polo might take. Or they could represent the next Scirocco and the production Up! urban runabout. Word has it that they're electric powered, and could be unveiled at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show next week. We'll have to sit tight to find out for sure, but in the meantime you can check out the images.
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German based tuner, SKN Tuning has released photos and details of their latest Audi projects, the SKN TTS Race and SKN TT RS². Both cars feature SKN's ECU tuning, performance exhaust system and suspension and wheel upgrades. Not to mention, they look fantastic.
The SKN TTS Race features Stage 3 SKN Power Tuning boosting horsepower to 340 hp and torque to 354 lb/ft with the help of a full Milltek performance exhaust system. Suspension is upgraded by a Bilstein PSS10 B16 suspension system with stopping power coming from a Brembo 380 x 34mm 6 piston brake system. Finally, the rubber meets the road via 20" Emotion Strada GT wheels.
Like the TTS Race, the SKN TT RS² also features SKN Power Tuning (Stage 2), boosting power to 395 hp and torque to 405 lb/ft and also features a full Milltek performance exhaust system. A Bilstein PSS10 suspension system and Caractere CW1 20" wheels round out the package.
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Monday, February 21, 2011
Audi has released a few sketches of its Geneva-bound A3 concept, and in keeping with previous reports, the automaker is intent on bringing a sedan version of its smallest model to market.
More intriguingly, the powertrain is comprised of a turbocharged five-cylinder engine – likely pulled from the TT-RS – outputting 408 horsepower through Audi's Quattro all-wheel-drive system. Expect a full report from the show floor in less than two weeks.
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