14/05/2012 14.5.12 – Monday motoring news round-up

Every Monday morning, here at VCARs, we’ll give you a quick round-up of the motoring news from the weekend papers and links to read more. That means, instead of returning from the newsagents laden with papers, you can wait until Monday morning and catch the lot! more

16/04/2012 Monday Morning Motoring Round Up!

Every Monday morning, here at VCARs, we’ll give you a quick round-up of the stories making the news in the national motoring press. Read The latest from The Guardian, Mail, Mirror and Telegraph right here. more

13/04/2012 Up, Up and Away!

The Volkswagen Up has been named the 2012 World Car of the Year at a press conference hosted by Bridgestone Corporation and the New York International AutoShow. more

11/12/2008 Porsche Museum gears up for January opening

Finishing touches are being put to the new Porsche Museum in readiness for its official opening on January 31st 2009, it has been revealed.

Most of the exhibits are already in place, including a 356 Cabriolet, the first prototype of the Porsche 924 and an ’11′ model.

"In the last few weeks, we have comprehensively restored all the vehicles and polished them up for their use in the museum," Klaus Bischof, head of the Rolling Museum, confirmed.

Show cabinets and small displays have also been erected, paving the way for work to start on the lighting.

Meanwhile, the scaffolding surrounding the museum, which is cited opposite Porsche headquarters in the Zuffenhausen suburb of Stuttgart which the company has resided in since 1950, has been removed.

The building’s shop, Porsche archive, restaurant, bistro and event areas are also close to being completed.

Admission to the museum will cost €8, although children under 14 will be allowed in free providing they are with an adult.

Porsche was founded in 1931 by Ferdinand Porsche.

28/07/2008 Porsche performs speedy generation change with 911 Targa

Porsche is to launch the new 911 Targa this autumn – the fastest ever generation change in the 911 model.

Car lovers will be salivating at the prospect of taking a look at the two new additions to the 911 line-up; the 911 Targa 4 and 911 Targa 4S.

The Targa 4 version is powered by a 3.6-litre flat-six engine which gives the car a top speed of 176 mph. Not fast enough? The Targa 4S sports car can accelerate to a top speed of 185 mph.

Both models will retain the distinctive 1.54-square metre glass roof made up of two segments; the elegant sliding roof above the occupants and the versatile top-hinged tailgate. But now there is also a new electrically-controlled sun-blind, which promises to offer increased shading.

On a more practical note, the 911 Targa 4 and Targa 4S remain exclusively available with four-wheel drive. The all-wheel drive is now provided via electronically-controlled Porsche Traction Management which will replace the viscous multiple-plate clutch arrangement fitted previously.

Available at the end of October, prices for the Targa 4 Coupe 3.6-litre start at £72,980, while the Targa 4S Coupe 3.8-litre is priced from £80,270.

10/07/2008 Porsche to stage show of power at Goodwood

Porsche has developed the unique rear-engined concept of the 911 so that it remains relevant in changing times while still maintaining its timeless charms.

All-new flat six engines of 3.6 and 3.8-litres capacity featuring Direct Fuel Injection (DFI), and the option of PDK double-clutch transmission, are particular highlights marking the company’s desire to keep its cars at the cutting edge.

The power of the 911 Carrera will be on display for Goodwood fans during the Sunday Times Supercar Run up the hill-climb course.

The 530 bhp Porsche 911 GT2 – the fastest, most powerful road-going 911 on the market – will also make its presence felt at the Sussex venue.

Braver race fans who aren’t just content with spectating will be invited to give a Porsche Cayenne a spin around a specially-designed circuit located next to the famous speed hill-climb course.

06/06/2008 The need for speed

The Porsche 911, one of the most coveted of the supercars since its launch in 1963, is about to be re-launched on July 5th 2008.

Available as Coupe or Cabriolet, with optional six-speed manual gearbox or the PDK transmission, the CO2 emissions will be around 225g/km or VED band F.

The 911′s flat-six engine uses the same direct fuel injection system as the Carrera V-engines which can mean that it is possible to achieve a top speed of 188 mph or 300km/hour.

The Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) uses the double-clutch switching which Porsche started to develop for motorsport almost 25 years ago and which has consistently given acceleration advantage to its users. The engine changes the even gears using one clutch and uses the other to change the 1-3-5-7 gear ratios with a hydraulic control unit synchronising between the two systems.

The interior re-styling has produced a elegant feel, with a large screen featuring touch sensitivity to control the audio and satellite navigation systems.

Prices range from £63,070 to £77,650 before options are added.

18/07/2007 Porsche 911 is “high-performance athlete”

The new Porsche 911 GT2 has been described by the firm behind it as a "high-performance athlete" and a tempting purchase with a number of features on the special edition.

Scheduled to hit the UK market in November, the updated Porsche 911 GT2 is blessed with a manual six-speed gearbox and rear-wheel drive, while also coming equipped with a 50-bhp increase in engine power from the previous 911 Turbo vehicle.

Other luxury touches include tailpipes and a rear silencer constructed from titanium, which works to reduce the weight of the parts by about 50 per cent.

Vital stats for the GT2 see the acceleration clock in at zero to 62 mph in 3.7 seconds, with a maximum speed of 204 mph.

However, those concerned about their eco-friendly conscience might be interested to know that the average fuel consumption – 22.6 miles per gallon – is said by Porsche to represent a level of fuel economy previously thought impossible for this type of vehicle.

Prices are expected to start at £131,070.

Porsche, which is a German manufacturer, currently offers a number of models in its range including the Boxster and the Cayman.