SPY SHOTS: 2011 Porsche Cayenne SUV gets Sleeker

Porsche is putting the final touches on its second generation Cayenne SUV that is anticipated to be introduced at a major car show in the first half of 2010. These new spy pictures suggest that the next Cayenne will be far better looking than its graceless predecessor adopting a smoother design language and more dynamic proportions accentuated by the lowered roofline, smaller rear window and steeper angle of the rear tailgate.

Not surprisingly, the Cayenne's dashboard looks very similar to the Panamera sports sedan featuring a five-gauge cluster and a center stack dominated by a large screen with the climate controls positioned underneath. Flanking the gear lever on the elevated lower console are the suspension controls and numerous other buttons.

The next Cayenne will be built on a modified version of the Panamera's platform that will also be shared with the second generation VW Touareg.

Word from Germany is that Porsche's engineers have worked overtime to reduce the SUV's weight as much as 200kg or 440 lbs over the current model with obvious benefits in handling, fuel economy, CO2 emissions and of course, performance figures.

The direct-injection powerplants are expected to be carry-over units from the Panamera. A VW Group-sourced V6 petrol producing around 300-horsepower will serve as the entry-level engine, while the range will top out with Porsche's 4.8-liter V8 delivering 400HP in naturally aspirated form and 500HP in turbo spec.

The V8 models will most likely feature Porsche's seven-speed double-clutch PDK transmission as standard.

Porsche will also offer the new Cayenne with a V6 gasoline-electric hybrid powerplant as well as a V6 diesel engine.

One Messed Up Porsche "959" Speedster

A 1977 Porsche 911 Convertible with the front end of a 928, the rear of a 959 and the sides of a Carrera GT (or at least parts that imitate those cars)? Welcome to the "sinful" world of customized sports cars. If your stomach is up to it, there's more beauty to found in the modded Porsche's two-tone interior.

We find it hard to believe that any of you will actually be interested in the Porsche, but just in case, the car is for sale on Craigslist in Portland for a mere $12,995.

Link: Craigslist , Via: Jalopnik

SpeedART Creates the 2010 Porsche 911 Turbo-Based BTR II with 580HP

The new Porsche 911 Turbo is one of the fastest production cars in the market, but that wasn't enough for SpeedART as the German tuner decided to up the ante with the introduction of BTR II 580. Thanks to the reprogrammed ECU and a new sport exhaust system that comes with a sound control switch, SpeedART managed to squeeze another 80 ponies and 120Nm of torque from the 3.8-liter turbocharged flat-six boosting output to 580HP.

That's good enough for a 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint time of 3.2 seconds and a top speed of 325km/h or 202 mph for the PDK double-clutch model. The power kit is priced at €9,890.

And if that's not satisfactory, the German tuner said that it is also preparing a more powerful engine kit with 650HP.

The engine mods are complemented by new 20-inch alloy wheels with high-performance tires size 245/30 up front and 325/25 at the back for a total cost of €6,640 while buyers may also choose to upgrade the BTR II 580's suspension.

SpeedART also offers a bodykit that consists of a front apron, side skirts, rear diffuser, rooftop spoiler and a rear wing plus Porsche 911 GT3-style stickers for €5,100.

The package can be rounded off with numerous interior upgrades including sport seats with carbon shell in leather, alcantara or special design variations, a sport steering wheel with F1 shift paddles for PDK and carbon fiber decorative trim.

Volkswagen Acquires 49.9% Stake in Porsche for €3.9 Billion

In a story that started out with Porsche trying to take over Volkswagen only to end up the other way around, VW made a significant step towards its plan to integrate the German sports car brand by announcing today that it acquired a 49.9% stake in Porsche AG's car operations for €3.9 billion, which comes to about US$5.8 billion at today's exchange rates.

"The acquisition of the trading business of Porsche Holding Salzburg is planned for 2011. The creation of the integrated automotive group is then to conclude with the merger of Volkswagen AG and Porsche SE during the course of the same year," Volkswagen said in a prepared statement for the media on Monday.

The German automaker, which also owns the Seat, Audi, Skoda, Bentley, Lamborghini, Bugatti and Scania brands, said that it expects Porsche's integration will lead to an increase of the VW group's annual operating profit by around €700 million in the long term.

We remind you that Porsche initially tried to acquire the Volkswagen Group by amassing billions of euros in loans, but soon ran out of funding due to the economic crisis ultimately leading to the opposite result...

VIDEO: Porsche's New 320HP Boxster Spyder

Get a taste of Porsche's lightest and quickest version of the Boxster to date in this official video that contains both driving and static footage of the new model. Dubbed the Boxster Spyder, it does away with the standard model's folding roof and is powered by a tweaked 3.4-liter boxer engine producing 320 horsepower, enough to propel the 1,275 kg (2,810 lbs) sports car from standstill to 100km/h (62mph) in just 4.8 seconds.

The new Porsche, which made its world debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show this week, will enter the market in February 2010 as the third version in the Boxster range, after the Boxster and Boxster S models.

2009 Essen Show: Wimmer RS Takes the Porsche 911 GT2 to the Next Level with 827HP GT2 Speed

With 530 ponies under the hood, or rather the rear axle, we imagine that few Porsche 911 GT2 owners will ever complain about lack of power. Still, horsepower-junkies can get their fix with Wimmer RS's latest tuning project amply named "GT2 Speed Bi-Turbo" which boasts a whopping 827HP and a top speed of 378km/h or 235mph.

The German tuner starts with the 911 GT2's 3.6-liter turbocharged boxer engine that receives a series of upgrades including a pair of high-performance turbochargers, a sport exhaust system, modified engine block and a new ECU. The result is an output of 827 horsepower at 7,400 rpm and a mind-blowing 948Nm or 699.2 lb-ft of torque.

Wimmer RS supports that the GT2 Speed Bi-Turbo sprints from standstill to 100km/h (62mph) in just 3.38 seconds and to 300km/h (187 mph) in 20.2 seconds, while maxing out at 378km/h (235mph).

The car also gets a set of 20-inch Sportec alloy rims wrapped in 235/30 R20 high-performance Dunlop tires up front and 325/25 R20 at the rear, along with H&R sport springs and carbon fiber exterior mirrors and a rear spoiler lip.

The price for the GT2 Speed Bi-Turbo has been set at €281,000 that comes to about US$424,000 at today's exchange rates.

SpeedART's Porsche Panamera PS9 with up to 650HP Revealed in the Flesh

A couple of weeks ago we told you about SpeedART's new Porsche Panamera PS9 that will be unveiled at the Essen Motor Show at the end of November. Now, the German tuning house has released the first live photos of a Porsche Panamera fitted with its PS9 sport package that bundles aerodynamic add-ons and interior mods with performance upgrades and four different power kits for the Turbo model.

Available on all Panamera models, SpeedART's PS9 aero kit includes a front spoiler with an integrated brake cooling system, beefier side skirts, engine hood air vents, a rear diffuser that houses a pair of twin-tailpipes, air outlets on the rear bumper and a fixed rear spoiler.

A set of 22-inch, three-piece alloy wheels fitted with 265/35 and 305/25 ZR22 high-performance tires is also part of the package.

For the Panamera's cabin, SpeedART offers a new three-spoke leather steering with F1-shift paddles that's available in two sizes (340 and 365mm) with the option of aluminium, wood or carbon fiber inlays, colored stiches on the door panels and seats, instrument backgrounds in various colors, specific floor mats and real carbon fiber decorative trim in numerous shads.

For the time being, the German firm's engine kit is limited to the Panamera Turbo. Upgrades include larger tubochargers, sport air filter, a sport exhaust system and a reprogrammed ECU that help bump output to 520, 550, 600 or 650 horsepower and up to 890 Nm (656.5 lb-ft) of torque.

The 650HP version is said to accelerate from standstill to 100km/h (62mph) in 3.5 seconds an top over 320km/h (200 mph).

To ensure that the Panamera comes to a halt, SpeedART offers an upgraded brake system with modular 380 mm discs and 6 piston brake calipers.