2012 Panamera Turbo S at the 2011 New York Auto Show

• Competes with: Aston Martin Rapide and Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class 
• Looks like: Porsche finally fills out the Panamera’s lineup … or has it? 
• Drivetrain: 550-hp, twin turbocharged 4.8-liter V-8 with a seven-speed auto-shift manual transmission; all-wheel drive 
• Hits dealerships: Spring 2011 

Porsche has been busy expanding the Panamera’s trim offerings since the model was first unveiled in 2008. Today, the automaker showed off its new top-of-the line 2012 Panamera Turbo S trim.

The Turbo S takes off where the Panamera Turbo ends in terms of features and brings an extra dose of performance. The Turbo S takes the standard V-8 powertrain and manages to eke out another 50 horsepower (550 hp). Torque has also increased to 553 pounds-feet, and an overboost function can increase peak torque to 590 pounds-feet. With the help of launch control, the Turbo S can go from zero to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds, with a top speed of 190 mph.

Porsche 918 Spyder Plug-In Hybrid: First Look

• Competes with: Bugatti Veyron, Lexus LFA, Ferrari 458 
• Looks like: A good use of $845,000 
• Drivetrain: +500-hp, 4.0-liter V-8 plug-in hybrid, with a seven-speed automatic transmission  
• Hits dealerships: September 2013 

Porsche announced it would build the 918 Spyder plug-in hybrid late last summer, and today, we received more production-specific details, pricing and even a delivery date.

Since we last reported on the vehicle as a concept race car, Porsche has made some practical engineering changes, including giving the vehicle two seats instead of one. The structure is carbon fiber based and will feature a manual detachable hardtop roof, which can be stored in the front luggage compartment.

Porsche also shed more light on the powertrain. Compared with the concept version, which used a 6.2-liter V-8 engine and three electric motors, the production model is equipped with a mid-mounted, high-revving 4.0-liter V-8 engine, capable of at least 500 horsepower. There are two electric motors, one on the front and rear axle, which together produce 218 hp.Porsche claims the electric motors will allow for better variable/independent control of the all-wheel-drive system.

2011 Porsche 911 Video

When Cars.com’s editor-in-chief, Patrick Olsen, got behind the wheel of a Porsche 911 a few years back, he knew he found a new love. (So long, Mini Cooper.) Even with some time apart, the love affair is apparently still kindling. The 2011 Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet is the perfect midlife crisis machine for those who can afford it, or those who are willing to tap their children’s college funds, according to Olsen.

2012 Porsche Panamera S Hybrid: First Look

• Competes with: Lexus LS 600h, BMW 750 ActiveHybrid, Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid  
• Looks like: A hybrid to be lusted after
• Drivetrain: 333-hp, supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 with 47-hp electric motor, eight-speed automatic transmission
• Hits dealerships: Late 2011

Hybrids and luxury marquees haven’t been a big success outside of the SUV realm; think Lexus RX 400h. But many big makers have put hybrid powertrains in their flagship sedans despite lukewarm demand for such a vehicle. Enter Porsche, putting the same powertrain from its Cayenne Hrybid SUV into the Panamera four-door hatchback. While the final mileage figures weren’t released today, we do know it will hit U.S. dealers later this year at a starting price of $95,000.
 
Until we know the final mileage, it’s hard to make an early ruling on the success of such a vehicle. At $95,000, it will slate below the top-of-the-line Panamera Turbo at $135,300 but just above the Panamera 4S at $94,700. Those two vehicles get a combined mileage rating of 19 mpg and 18 mpg, respectively. The Cayenne S Hybrid gets 21 mpg combined.

2012 Porsche Boxster S Black Edition Delivers Value?

When you think "Porsche" and "limited edition," the word "value" doesn’t automatically come to mind. But lately, the sports-car maker has been packaging aging models with popular options, throwing on a cool paint job and limiting production numbers. That’s what Porsche has done again with the 2012 Porsche Boxster S Black Edition.
 
Obviously, the 987 cars in this limited run will feature a black paint job and monochromatic features, including black 19-inch wheels from the Boxster Spyder. Intake grills are painted black, as are the dual exhaust pipes. And yes, the badges are all black, too.

Porsche 918 Spyder Concept at 2012 Detroit Auto Show

• Looks like: A racecar with a bomb on board
• Defining characteristics: A couple of electric motors and one seat
• Ridiculous features: A "flywheel accumulator" riding shotgun
• Chance of being mass-produced: Likely, but in low numbers at high prices

Porsche’s wild 918 Spyder plug-in hybrid is on its way to production, but those pining for a sleeker hardtop model will have to wait because the newly released 918 coupe is heading to the racetrack first.

This coupe, called the 918 RSR, is a racing laboratory with technology that will be tested on the track, Porsche says. There’s no passenger seat or production-ready interior here, just components of the hybrid system that’s shared with Porsche’s GT3 R Hybrid racecar, as well as numerous toggle switches and digital displays.

On the RSR, power is stored during braking and released by the driver at a push of the button. Stored power goes to a pair of electric motors at the front wheels that boost output to a maximum of 767 horsepower. By itself, the direct-injected V-8 makes 567 hp.

Among the coupe’s most interesting features are the doors, which are reminiscent of Porsche’s classic 917 racecar. They open with a sweep forward and upward, a move that will make Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG gullwing owners jealous.

2011 Porsche Cayenne Hybrid Qualifies for Tax Credit

The all-new 2011 Porsche Cayenne and its first-for-the-brand hybrid model are already on sale, but we learned this week that early adopters of the hybrid trim can get a tax credit this year.

According to Porsche, the 2011 Cayenne S Hybrid qualifies for a $1,800 tax credit for the 2010 tax year. The hybrid is rated at 20/25 mpg city/highway.

That’s more than the $900 credit given to the 2011 BMW ActiveHybrid 750i and X6, but less than the $2,200 credit for the 2011 Mercedes-Benz ML450 Hybrid.

Porsche Confirms Cajun Small SUV

Porsche confirmed rumors today that it plans to produce an SUV smaller than its popular Cayenne, to be named Cajun. Spicy name aside, the Cajun will likely be derived from a Volkswagen product like the VW Tiguan or Audi Q5, just as the Cayenne shares a platform with the VW Touareg and Q7.

While the three companies have shared ties before, the German marquees are undergoing a new alignment with VW taking a majority of Porsche ownership. While Porsche gets SUV development from VW, it will return the favor with sports cars and sedans. We’d guess VW and Audi could use the Boxster and Panamera platforms.
 
What do you think? Does the world need a small Porsche SUV? Let us know in the comments.

2012 Porsche Cayman R: First Look

• Competes with: Audi TTS, Infiniti G37 IPL 
• Looks like: Lighter, faster, more desireable 
• Drivetrain: 330-hp, 3.4-liter six-cylinder, six-speed manual or seven-speed PDK automatic transmission 
• Hits dealerships: December 2010 

We recently tested Porsche’s lightened Boxster Spyder and raved about pretty much everything save the awkward top. Just like when the original Cayman was released, the Cayman R solves the convertible dilemma.

More L.A. Auto Show Coverage

The Cayman R bumps horsepower over the Cayman S, just like the Boxster Spyder, losing 121 pounds via racecar-style seats, straps instead of door handles and lighter materials.

The show car's lime green paint job and the black spoiler and side mirrors really make the Cayman R stand out. The surprising livability of the Boxster Spyder makes this Cayman more palatable. Porsche’s claims of a 5.0-second zero-to-60 mph time with the manual and 4.9 seconds with the PDK – top speed is an unadvisable 175 mph – help matters.

It will arrive at dealers next month, just in time for the holidays. So if Santa can pony up $66,300, this little beauty can be gift-bow-adorned and in the driveway.

Cars.com Podcast: 2011 BMW 535, 2011 Hyundai Azera, 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder

It’s an eclectic mix of new cars taking center stage on our latest podcast. Luxury sedan stalwart, the BMW 5 Series, received a redesign last year and now the 535 variant gets our attention. Hyundai’s oft-forgotten Azera and Porsche’s latest limited edition roadster also get talked up by editors Mike Hanley, Kelsey Mays and Joe Wiesenfelder.

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