We recently did a test drive on the new Porsche Cayenne GTS last month but if you thirst for some more thrust via a 4.8-liter V8 producing 500 horsepower and 6-speed auto tranny, then the 2008 Porsche Cayenne Turbo is your quencher.

Not only does this SUV move like a scalded dog but it drinks like racing horse getting a parching 19 mpg on the highway and eww, 12 mpg city. Don’t worry, if you can afford this big daddy then you are not too concerned about my previous sentence.

Here is a newly released test drive video of the new 2008 Porsche Cayenne Turbo from MyRide. Now you can haul the whole family and dogs while being amongst fastest on the road.

Subtle Changes: 2008 Porsche Carrera S – A Sports Car Legend

Every year Porsche makes their subtle changes to the near perfect lineup of vehicles. The Porsche is a legend of its own kind where there is no mistaking it for what IT is. The 2008 Porsche Carrera S is no exception to the rule as we will find out very soon with the new 2009 Porsche Carrera S. Very few visual changes are made each year but the engineering goes to all new lengths utilizing the latest and greatest technological advances in the automotive industry.

The 45th birthday of the Porsche 911 is closely approaching and the latest of one of the greatest and most recognized sports cars in the world will be introduced once again as a 2009 model. German engineered, developed, and built… the 2008 Porsche Carrera S.

Enjoy!

Never before has there been so much hype over who has the fastest lap time around the Nurburgring. So I sat down and really thought what sparked all of this hype. Was it the Nissan GT-R’s stunning lap time that everyone is ever-so-fast chasing? Is it because more auto manufacturers are starting to conduct post-production tests of their new vehicles on the Nurburgring? Is it because the Nurburgring is such a vigorous test track and true representation of pushing a vehicle to it’s limits? I honestly believe it is a combination of all of these factors put together.

I remember when everyone was chasing BMW because it was a benchmark setter for a certain class of vehicles. Now it seems everyone is battling to get the best lap time such as the new Audi R8 V10 that is claiming to beat the new Corvette ZR1’s time of 7:26. The Nissan GT-R’s time of 7:29 is said to be beat out by the new Spec-V version of the GT-R doing a 7:25. The Lexus LF-A test car coming in with a 7:24 time so it does not get laughed at. And then there is the Porsche GT2 lap time of 7:24. The list goes on and on. Everyone is trying to top everyone.

If one car claims the best lap time does it really constitute that it is the best and fastest thing out there? We really don’t think so. What do you think?

Should the Nurburgring be a true test for a cars performance? Are the cars mentioned above “The Benchmark” setters that every other car looks up too now?

Corvette ZR1 Nurburgring Run Video:

Post your comments… I want to know what you think!

I don’t know why versatile, flexible, four-door vehicles that can carry up to 8-people or a sheet of 8X4ft. plywood ever got the name ‘sport utility’ vehicle. With a high center of gravity, body-on-frame construction and a solid rear axle, these utility vehicles were never built to give a sporty handling experience, no matter the price.

Porsche entered the sport utility segment in 2003 with the Cayenne to bring more sport into the segment with their long heritage of building some of the world’s great sports cars. While they did dial-up the power and performance level with the 500hp Cayenne Turbo model, there was still room for improvement in the handling department.

In 2008 Porsche offers its second generation of Cayenne’s featuring the all-new GTS. Porsche is serious because the GTS designation has not been used by Porsche since the 1963 Porsche 904 GTS.

Sharing its essential architecture and appearance with the Cayenne S and Turbo, the GTS differs in purpose. Sacrificing some of its sibling’s excellent off-road capabilities, the GTS rewards the demanding enthusiast driver with increased levels of on-road performance similar to the 911 sports car.

When viewed head-on, the GTS shows its purposeful, aggressive face by sharing its fascia with the awesome Cayenne Turbo. Like the Turbo, the GTS has large cooling intakes and new headlamp clusters moved to the sides behind clear lens, Like the Turbo, drivers behind the GTS are greeted by the vehicle’s chrome, dual, twin tailpipes and an extended bi-plane spoiler at the roof’s trailing edge.

Thanks to its wider track, 20mm lower ride height, standard air suspension, and wider 21X10in. wheels and tires, compared to the Turbo, the GTS provides astounding agility on pavement.

Commensurate with its place at the top of the naturally aspirated Cayenne family, the GTS sports a unique interior tailored to help you and your passengers fully appreciate the vehicle’s abilities. Even with its performance enhancements, the GTS comes standard with all-wheel drive and a broad palette of traction and stability enhancing technologies so you can leave the pavement with confidence as long as you use off-road tires.

At the heart of the all-new GTS is an enhanced engine and transmission.

Refinements by Porsche engineers to the naturally aspirated 4.8 liter V8 engine have resulted in a 20hp increase to 405hp, and 369lb.ft. of torque. Regardless of whether you opt for the standard six-speed manual, or the optional six-speed Tiptronic S, you will feel the increase in acceleration. The engine’s power characteristics are further enhanced by a specially created sport dual exhaust system which comes with the added bonus of a throaty, growl from its four tailpipes.

As a result, Porsche test drivers were able to accelerate the GTS with the manual gearbox from 0-60mph in 5.7sec., and 6.1sec. using the Tiptronic automatic.

The sport-tuned, fully-independent air suspension features double-wishbones up front, and multi-links in the rear. The Porsche Active Suspension Management system works together with the Dynamic Chassis Control system of active front and rear anti-sway bars to cancel out any body lean when cornering. Click the Sport button and the engine, suspension and steering reacts faster to your inputs.

To ensure more than adequate traction, the GTS is fitted with unique, ten-spoke, 21X10in. light alloy wheels wrapped with high-performance rubber.

Quickly and safely slowing the GTS down from speed are powerful 4-wheel disc brakes. Up front are 13.7in. vented rotors with 12.9in. vented discs in the rear. The front rotors are clamped by 6-piston calipers, and 4-piston calipers in the rear. Braking control is further enhanced with ABS and Brake Assist.

In the sport mode with the chassis set at its lowest setting, the GTS corners close to what you would experience at the wheel of a 911…
But this is a sport utility vehicle with all the flexibility and utility in seating and cargo hauling, plus the spaciousness, comfort, luxury and high-technology found in the world’s finest SUVs.

Like the exterior, the GTS’s passenger cabin shows the vehicle’s performance potential. You’ll appreciate the newly designed leather sport seats with deep side bolsters and Alcantara centers to help keep you in place during spirited driving. Both seats are 12-way power adjustable. The instrument cluster is easy to see and mimics the 911 look.

Console-mounted controls for the active handling suspension are large and easy to operate to get the most from the GTS, on or off-road. All dials, buttons and switches are within easy reach. The beefy, leather wrapped, multi-function, steering wheel features power tilt/telescope for the perfect angle for quick turns, and gear-changing buttons to blast out of a steep curve.

More exclusivity inside is the unique aluminum trim and stainless-steel door entry guards with the GTS logo. You are surrounded everywhere with luxurious, hand-cut and sewn leather, including Alcantara on the entire headliner and pillars. Visibility is excellent all-around.

The folding, split-back rear seat is also unique to the GTS by featuring raised bolsters and Alcantara inserts at the outer seating positions to ensure stable and comfortable seating for three adults. The cargo hold features plenty of space including tie-downs and a security shade.

Standard equipment includes aluminum foot pedals, grab handles above each door, power windows/door locks, heated/retractable side mirrors, self-dimming rearview mirror, A/C with filter, four 12-volt plugs, dark tinted glass on rear and side windows, front/rear variable-speed wipers/washers, power liftgate, AM-FM-CD audio system with 12-speakers, cruise-control, and a multi-function trip computer. Options include HID headlamps with washers, Porsche Communications Management with GPS Navigation, front/rear heated seats, floor mats, rear parking assist, power moonroof, and a Bose Surround Audio System.

If you love the spirited performance of Porsche 911 sports cars, but need the flexibility of a sport utility, you don’t have to compromise, test drive the all-new Cayenne GTS.

COPYRIGHT:2008:HARVEY SCHWARTZ

SPECIFICATIONS

Name: 2008 Porsche Cayenne GTS

Price: $72,300.00 base/$87,230.00 as tested

Engine: 4.8 liter DOHC, VVT, all-aluminum V8

Horsepower: 405 at 6,500rpm

Torque: 369lb.ft. at 3,500rpm

0-60mph time: 5.7 seconds

Drive configuration: Front engine/all-wheel-drive

Transmission: 6-speed manual standard/6-speed Tiptronic automatic optional

Front suspension: Independent, double-wishbones, air-springs, 3-position gas-charged shocks, active anti-roll bar

Rear suspension: Independent, multi-link, air-springs, 3-position gas-charged shocks, active anti-roll bar

Wheels/tires: 21X10in light alloy wheels/295/35R21in high-performance tires

Brakes: Front: 13.8in. vented rotors clamped with 6-piston calipers
Rear: 13in. vented rotors clamped with 4-piston calipers
ABS, Brake Assist

Overall length: 188.7in.

Overall width: 77in.

Overall height: 65.9in.

Curb weight: 4,949lbs.

EPA mileage specs: 13mpg/city, 18mpg/highway

As it edges closer to production next year, the 2010 Porsche Panamera is starting to stray farther from home. This time our spy photographers caught up with the Panamera while it was undergoing cold-weather testing in the Arctic Circle.

Like most of the prototypes we’ve seen before, this Panamera had camouflage over the front and rear ends to conceal the final design details. In this case, however, the huge ducktail spoiler was absent, a change that gives a much better look at the unique rear window.

It appears as though the Panamera sedan will actually look something like a four-door hatchback. Cut lines clearly show a rear window that starts at the top of the C-pillar and extends all the way down to just above the license plate. It’s an odd design cue to say the least, but it should keep the Panamera from getting lumped in with the rest of Germany’s luxury sedans.

Other notable design elements include a side window that extends rearward all the way to the middle of the rear wheel and taillights that wrap around to the side of the rear quarter panel. Up front, it appears as though there might be a set of quarter-panel vents just after the front wheels along with the usual air intakes in the airdam to feed the V8 engine under the hood.

We still expect the Panamera will use the 4.8-liter V8 variants found in the current Cayenne SUV. With roughly 400 horsepower for the base model and 500 hp for the Turbo, the Panamera should have little trouble keeping up with its German competition. And like BMW and Mercedes-Benz, Porsche has also announced its intention to add a hybrid sedan to its lineup. The Porsche Panamera Hybrid will use the same system slated for the Cayenne Hybrid and is expected to arrive in late 2010.

Production of the standard Panamera is slated to begin next year, so expect to see the official introduction either late this year or in early 2009.

[source: Edmunds.com]

Rag Top, Topless, Drop Top, Convertible, Sun Fun, Hardtop, Soft-top and more. Okay folks, we are not talking about women outfits here, we are talking about the top 10 convertibles for this summer.

The automotive industry has come back with a vengeance developing and marking some of the best convertible cars yet. When a new panoramic sunroof just does not do it for you need to go completely topless then you may want to take a look at one of the top 10 Topless Cars for this summer.

#10

Mini Cooper
Price: $21,950

The Mini Cooper has made its mark as a favorite “little” car and recently a favorite due to the high gas prices. This soft top convertible has the same attractive cues as does the regular coupe. Also available is a version with a retractable soft-top that glides back for a panoramic vista roof view.

#9 and #8

Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky
Price: $22,165 and $25,525

You can consider both the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky the little sisters or brothers of the Chevy Corvette, a convertible version of course. The new power plants may consider these little roadsters “pocket rockets” with a new 260hp turbocharged 2.0 liter. With that version it may set you back about 30 grand. Saturn Sky Test Drive.

#7

Ford Mustang
Price: $24,475

We have seen it, loved it, and now we still enjoy the infamous Ford Mustang with a soft drop top. When we say fun in the sun, this is it. Still one of the most affordable sports coupes you can buy on the market. As always, you can let your hair blow in the wind and still have some cash in your pocket for some expensive gas.

#6

Chrysler Sebring
Price: $26,160

This has got to be one of the most driven convertibles by tourists, business execs and those who want an inexpensive alternative to drive around in the sun. Rental car companies are not shy about offering a convertible and the Chrysler Sebring is usually THE choice. Recently added to the line-up is a hardtop convertible so you do not have to worry about a Mickey Mouse stalker cutting open your top to steal your iPod. Chrysler Sebring Convertible Test Drive.

#5

Honda S2000
Price: $34,300

The Honda S2000 is pretty much self explanatory by now. If you do not know about the Honda S2000 then you have been out-of touch from the automotive industry for a LONG TIME. This one is MONEY, quality in a pocket rocket with solid performance out of a 4-banger. If you live revving beyond the limit while enjoying the outside environment then this is the car for you.

#4

Chevrolet Corvette
Price: $54,575

Do you want some power pushing you around while the wind wisps past your face? No we don’t mean getting punched in the face, we mean the Chevrolet Corvette Convertible. Probably the fastest convertible you can buy for the money. 0-60 in 4.0 seconds, 430hp, over 25mpg, rear wheel drive all with a drop top… can’t beat that! Chevrolet Corvette Convertible Test Drive.

#3

Porsche Boxter S
Price: $55,700

The Porsche Boxter has grown up in the recent years and blossomed into a major alternative to those seeking a German engineered toy in a semi-practical package. With 295hp you would expect this convertible to drink gas faster than it makes heads turn when you drive past a group of on-lookers. Just like the Corvette, this drop top gets 26mpg and it is truly all Porsche for a lot less than it’s bigger brother, the 911.

#2

Jaguar XKR
Price: $92,035

We tested sex on wheels some time ago and found it to be just that, sex on wheels that can stay topless all day long and keep the heads turning. This cat purrs through it’s 300hp engine pushing near 4000lbs. around on the long cat legs that provide a subtle and smooth ride. Don’t let the soft fur of this cat fool you, it can play around with the best of the big dogs all while not being shameful of going topless.

#1

Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG
Price: $132,000

This one is a no-brainer if you want to choose a “nice” convertible to introduce the homecoming king and queen to a stadium full of alumni, just don’t press the gas pedal to hard. If do you do get this baby out on an open road with seatbelts securely in place, it wont disappoint at all. It touts 604hp through a turbocharged V12 engine matted to a 7-speed multi-clutch automatic tranny. If that is not enough to keep you satisfied then the hard top will allow you and your single passenger to both go topless and still make it in time for kickoff at the big game.

[idea of article from: msnautos.com]

Note the track times of each car… very interesting!