Inside Look at the Porsche 918 Spyder Hybrid Concept

Porsche took the wraps off their 918 Spyder Concept, a 2-seat mid-engine supercar with hybrid and electric drive technology at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show.

Porsche says the 918 Spyder Concept hits 100 km/h (62 mph) in less than 3.2 seconds, and it blasts to a top speed of 198 mph. Not only that, it laps the Nürburgring in less than 7 minutes 30 seconds, which means it's even faster than the coveted Porsche Carrera GT. When it comes to how 'green' the vehicle is, Porsche says that, when driven accordingly, the plug-in hybrid 918 Spyder Concept gets an amazing 78 mpg, with an emissions level of only 70 grams of C02 per kilometer.

The 918 Spyder Concept is powered by a high-output V-8 3.4-liter engine found in the Porsche RS Spyder racing car. In 918 Spyder form, this mid-mounted engine powers out more than 500 bhp. Electric motors at the front and rear axles add an additional 218 horsepower to its power-packed performance. The V-8's power, and the rear electric motor, reaches Concept's rear wheels via a 7-speed PDK gearbox. The drive to the front wheels is pure electric. The liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery pack behind the cockpit can be charged at home, or by brake regeneration.

Modernity is addressed via the center console, which has a touch screen for what Porsche calls "intuitive" control of the car's functions. Another cool feature is the 918 Spyder Concept is the Range Manager. Using the map in the satellite navigation system, the Range Manager displays the remaining range the Spyder is able to cover. And in cities, it will tell you if you can reach your destination on electric power alone.

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*content and image courtesy of http://autos.yahoo.com/auto-shows/geneva_auto_show_2010

A Pure Burst of Adrenaline - the redesigned Porsche Boxster

The Boxster's nose and tail have been reshaped and given new headlamps and taillights with the latter converted to faster-reacting light emitting diode (LED) illumination. A wide-mouth air intake has been carved out below the front bumper, as well as newer and bigger rim designs. The standard sound system has been augmented with a five-inch display screen and the unit can now play CDs as well as MP3 computer files.

Elsewhere, changes should add luster to the Boxster's reputation as one of the most competent sports cars around. The Boxster's stability-control system helps prevent a skid or spin, and will now pre-load the brakes when the accelerator pedal is suddenly released (indicative of an emergency-stopping situation) by moving the pads closer to the discs to reduce stopping distances. The system also features Brake Assistant, a program that supplies additional force during emergency stops.

The Boxster gets the added punch of the new 255-horsepower 2.9-liter horizontally opposed six-cylinder powerplant, a gain of 10 over last year's 245-horsepower 2.7-liter unit. The Boxster S is powered by a 3.4-liter six-cylinder that produces 310 horsepower, 15 more than the previous 3.4-liter engine.

Both base and S vehicles come with a six-speed manual transmission, while a new seven-speed automated manual gearbox, called Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe, or PDK, replaces the previous six-speed Tiptronic automatic. The paddle-shifted PDK not only lops a couple of tenths of a second off the six-speed-manual Boxster's zero-to-60-mph time, but also reduces overall fuel consumption by up to 16 percent.

Performance, style, and engineering improvements grace the new Boxster and represent true Porsche-style progress.

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The Newest Member of the Family - Introducing the Porsche Panamera

The first four-door in the company's 61-year history, the Panamera will come to the U.S. in three forms: the S model, powered by a 400-hp, 4.8-liter naturally aspirated V-8; the 4S model which carries the same engine as the S, but comes with all-wheel; and the Turbo model which carries an all-wheel-drive, twin-turbocharged V-8 engine powering out 500 horses. Both models come with the PDK dual-clutch seven-speed transmission that was recently introduced in the 911.

The Panamera is equipped with a complete collection of Porsche driving aids, including stability control (Porsche Stability Management, or PSM), an adjustable damping system (Porsche Active Suspension Management, or PASM), and an adaptive air suspension with an active anti-roll stability system (Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control, or PDCC), which is shared with the Cayenne sport-ute.

Just like serious sports cars, the Panamera is equipped with a launch-control system. All models also offer a Start/Stop system, which uses a conventional but higher-capacity starter motor. As soon as the Panamera comes to a stop, the system shuts off the engine, then restarts very softly when the driver lifts his foot off the brake. It's an industry first for V-8 engines and automatic transmissions.

The interior design, technology features and ergonomics is in a class of its own… Inside, the Panamera offers accommodations for four adults. The rear seats are eight-way power-adjustable units that not only recline but also feature adjustable thigh support and powered lumbar support. There are seat heaters and flow-through cooling fans in the bottom cushions and backrests. The Panamera's cockpit and console comes with a sleek design of push button controls and a conveniently placed Navigation screen. Options available to upgrade the Panamera include Bluetooth, Front/Rear Camera Park Assist, Burmester Surround Sound System, and a host of other features and amenities.

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