When I say 'Entry Level', generally a price tag of $75,000 is not the first thing that comes to mind.  I'd normally consider in the neighborhood of at least $30,000 or under, even when talking about  Porsche.  No such luck with the new Panamera, which will soon be offered in a base line model, retailing for $74,400.

Don't expect to get a Turbo Charged V8 for that price either, this will be a small V6 power plant.  But don't worry, it will still be all wheel drive and be potent enough to hit the 300 horsepower mark.  Basically you are purchasing a more fuel efficient Porsche wagon, to those that it appeals to.

My guess the new base line Panamera will appeal to fleets and companies looking to buy high end cars.  If you are in the market to spend $75k on a new car, how do you not have the extra cash to buy the nice one?  Again, the Panamera doesn't appeal to me in the slightest, so obviously I'm not the target market.

The Porsche SUV never really made sense to me, at least from a familiarity perspective.  Why would a company known for their sports cars ever want to enter the suburban sport utility market?  Greed perhaps?  I don't know, but it never jived with my understanding and sticking to core competency has always worked in the past.  Well, Porsche is throwing my thoughts all out of whack again, by introducing a green Hybrid version in the 2011 Cayenne.

The 2011 Cayenne S Hybrid is a parallel hybrid, meaning it will use both it's gasoline engine or electric motors for power.  Depending on the load and demand the Cayenne S is capable of operating on electric or gasoline alone and a combination of the 2 when necessary.  The internal combustion engine side of the Cayenne hybrid remains pretty potent, with a V6 super charged to 333 horsepower.  The electric side of things is a completely different story, with some very misleading numbers.

Electric power can confuse age old wisdom about cars and how they operate.  Consider that the electric motor in the Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid only produces 52 horsepower, but is capable of up to 210 ft lb of torque.  This means for normal load the electric motor will get the wheels turning up to speed with it's impressive torque figures and keep its constant speed with the minimal horsepower.

According experts allowed to play with the 2011 Cayenne hybrid the V6 Hybrid version of the SUV does a convincing job of pretending it's got a V8 under the hood, sans sound.  So if the new Cayenne S proves to be successful, how long before we see the same technology introduced into it's other line up of performance vehicles?

Porsche has announced that an entry level Porsche 914 is a priority for 2010.  Although shelved some time ago, the 914 Boxster would be set at a price point that would make owning a Porsche easier than ever, although exact prices have yet to be disclosed.  Furthermore, it's not been announced if the 914 name will be used or some other poor man's Porsche name will be attached.

But this got me thinking, at what price would a Porsche have to be to be considered entry level?  A brand spanking new Porsche Boxster will run you around $60,000.  So, perhaps an entry level Porsche should be available for $40,000?

I'm fairly certain for that kind of money I'd rather own a GT500 or Corvette.  Again, in the realm of luxury, I'm not the target market.  Only those that have a hard-on for the Porsche name need apply here.  Much like a humongous house without any furniture, it's just another status symbol to park in the drive way.  IMHO

2010 Porsche 914

Maybe I'm not being exactly fair, the rendering above by Motor Trend is very sexy.  I just know that cars like the Porsche 944 did not age very well and I can't imagine a new model of budget Porsche would fair any better.

The latest news from the German auto manufacturer is that Porsche denied the merger option set forth by VW.  According to insiders, VW offered to purchase 49% of Porsche.  Details are sketchy, but according to  a Porsche spokesman the deal apparently didn't make sense for Porsche.  Obviously this is having an impact on both stock prices in a troubling economy.

Further disappointment for Porsche comes when Germany denied a request for a multi-billion euro loan.  This loan was the help alleviate financial pains felt by Porsche, for trying to purchase VW.  Yes, purchase VW, apparently these companies can't make up their mind who wants to own whom.

"Porsche will now hold talks about alternative financing possibilities," it said in a statement.

"Porsche has always made clear that what we are talking about here is a loan for its operations that will not burden the German taxpayer," it said.

Sounds like a power struggle that neither parties need to take part in right now.  Also, echoing the sounds of the Big 3 domestic manufacturers and we all know the loans didn't help GM.  Up until just recently the head of Porsche seemed to have it right, "luxury and assistance do not fit well together."  So why start now?

Design 911 Porsche Specialist

It's hard to contain yourself when a tuned up Porsche passes by.  The Porsche in stock trim is an impressive piece of machinery, known for power, handling, and luxury.  However, start throwing some after market components at it and it becomes a different level of sexy.  For those Porsche enthusiasts lucky enough to get their hands on a 911, 997, Boxster, or even a Cayenne SUV the mod bug can take over quick, especially with so many parts and kits available.

If you live in the UK there is only one place to visit for specialized Porsche service, Design 911.  Furthermore, Design 911 is a world wide shipper of quality Porsche components like body kits, interior items, engine performance parts, and exhaust.  They have built their reputation on 60 years of combined experience, specifically related to servicing and modifying Porsche cars, race cars, and SUVs.

Design 911 is active amongst the Porsche community.  In 2008 they were an official sponsor for the Porsche Club Great Britain.  In 2009 Design 911 received the Who's Who of Britain's Business Elite award.  It's quite obvious when ordering parts from Design 911 you are not just dealing with any other internet business, this is a brick 'n mortar Porsche specialist.

Design 911 Facility

Looking for a Porsche service center?  Design 911 offers a full service center that is capable of handling every Porsche ever made.  The experienced team offers complete solutions from simple maintenance to full on restoration and engine rebuilds.  Furthermore all body work is also performed in house, to keep fixed costs down and allow for the highest of quality control.  The folks at Design 911 know what they are talking about, are familiar with their products, and can make recommendations on Porsche performance and tuning parts.

Design 911 also has an extensive Project Car Page that documents small projects like body kit fitting to full on Porsche race car conversions.  Light weight door swaps, engine swaps, and my personal favorite Project Orange as seen below.  Some of their more extensive projects can be seen at automotive events like the AutoSport NEC.

Project Orange Porsche

Business Information:

Headoffice & Showroom
Design 911 UK (Sideline Design Ltd )
Unit 5, Bracken Industrial Estate
185 Forest Road,
Hainault Essex, London.
IG6 3HX UK
tel:0044(0)208 500 8811
fax:0044(0)208 501 3015

Design 911 PDF Catalog

You may remember back to us reporting on risky endeavor of Porsche to create a stationwagonesque grocery getter, the Panamera.  Now, we have some pictures of the 2010 Panamera Turbo and my feelings haven't changed much.  It still looks like something the majority of people won't buy, unless all they want is a functional status symbol.

I would imagine those looking for real performance won't be interested in something as bulky as the Porsche Panamera.  Generally speaking my view is that there are two types of buyers, those that want performance, and those who buy what their wifes want.  These two types never mesh and it looks like Porsche's target audience.  I'm ready to be proved wrong.

The all new 998 Porsche 911 was spied via an Italian automotive blog, AutoBlog.IT.  The only tell tale sign of a 911 transformation is it's interesting duck tail, which originally was home to either a fixed Whale Tail spoiler, or rising/lowering hidden spoiler to a smooth end.  This new style, of course the Porsche 911 is wrapped in camouflage, appears more like the new Mustang duck tial spoiler which would be molded into the rear of the car.

Keep in mind, any opinions or supposed evidence, on these 998 Porsche 911 spy pics are simply speculation.  Nobody knows for sure, but something is proof positive, Porsche has taken a commitment to hiding what they have in mind for the next Porsche 911.

Porsche 911 on eBay

Porsche 911 96 911 993 COUPE TIPTRONIC SO CAL CAR NJ    US $26,900.00

Porsche 911 Carrera Gorgeous 911 Carrera Coupe    US $18,000.00

Porsche 911 1993 Porsche RS AMERICA Pristine 964 c2 c4 993 911    US $42,000.00

Is it possible, is Porsche finallyd eveloping a performance hybrid?  It looks like the answer is yes and they are adding the hybrid moniker to their Cayenne sport SUV.  Although nothing surprises me about Porsche right now, as they step out of their core copetency, since even later this year they will release their first 4-door sedan, with the Panamera. yuck.

One of the SunTimes.com reporter got a first hand experience with the new Porsche/VW hybrid technology.

The Porsche-VW hybrid system is unlike any on the market, but it’s closest to Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist. Porsche’s system is a parallel full-hybrid system. IMA is a parallel system, but it is considered a “power-assist” system, not a full system, because the electric motor can only aid the engine, not propel the vehicle by itself (except in some light cruising conditions). Honda’s is a parallel system because the engine has a mechanical link to the wheels.

Initial reactions to the Porsche hybrid are much like my own, wondering how they can combine their performance name with a green theme.  Obviously Porsche is committed, releasing 2 test mules already to the media to scrutinze, but under limited conditions.  For example, no one was allowed to juice the Cayenne hybrid up and down some windy roads, so actual performance testing has been held to a minimum.  Sounds like Porsche is more excited about doing up to 30 miles per hour on electric alone, despite the 300lb weight increase.

Cayenne Hybrid

Reviews are starting to pop up everywhere for the new Porsche 09 911 Turbo and everyone is beaming with excitement over the all new automatic transmission.  According to professional car experts it's the first automatic EVER to be considerd for a replacement for those that love manual shift fast cars.  Apparently it's worth the $5,560 option to get the, 5 years in the making, auto transmission.

Cosmetic wise the 09 911 has seen a few updates, like LED running day time lights and signals.  Also there are more wheel choices to match your personal taste when buying a new 911 Turbo.

Other than the above points it's more of the same, which is a winning combination.  If I were to hit the lottery and purchase one new car, this would be it.  The 09 911 smells like sex, looks like sex, and loves being put in the garage still dripping wet.

09 Porsche 911

Check out 1st Hand Reviews of the 09 Porsche 911:

Driving.CA

Kicking Tires

Looks like the covers have finally came off of the all new Porsche Panamera.  To me it looks like a confused station wagon and possibly the love child of a Dodge Charger and Subaru Outback.  But hey, who am I to question Porsche and their design and engineering team.

I'll let the photos below speak for themselves.