2013 Porsche Cayenne

Why the 2013 PorscheCayenne is an Excellent Luxury Family Vehicle

When you are looking for a family vehicle with a hint of luxury the Porsche Cayenne is an excellent

option. While it is relatively modest on the outside, inside the Cayenne you are greeted with a very luxurious interior.

The seating arrangement will fit five adults in the seats very comfortably, or a couple of older children and a baby seat. There are safety anchors on the rear seat for said baby seat, and the massive moon roof gives children something to look out of when they want something to do. 

It doesn't matter if you are going on a camping trip, or simply taking the children to school, there is ample space to meet your needs. The Cayenne looks very large from the outside, and it is somewhat of a surprise that you don't have three rows of seats on the interior, but that is because of the massive rear section for storage.

That back section makes it very easy to store luggage, camping gear, or any other large items that you have to cart around.

Next to comfort and interior space the most important feature of a family vehicle is the safety level. You want something that is going to stand strong in the event of an accident, and the Cayenne fits that bill perfectly. The frame of the vehicle has been reinforced to perform very well in the event of an impact, and there is a whole range of airbags that will pop out if you run into something. The Cayenne also has very impressive stopping power thanks to a set of monstrous 13 inch rotors and a hulking set of brakes.

The Porsche Cayenne has all the important features that a luxury family vehicle should. That is probably why it is the most popular Porsche model today, and why you will see many more Cayennes rolling down the road than anything else.

2014 Porsche 911 Turbo

The Engine

The 911 Turbo comes with a powerful flat-six engine with 487 lb-ft of torque and 520 HP, making it possible to go from 0 to 60 in 3.2 seconds. The 911 Turbo S has even more power with 560 HP and from 0 to 60 in 2.9 seconds. The base model received a 20 hp boost from the 2013 model, and the S gained 30 hp. They top out at 196 and 198 mph respectively.

Enhanced Handling

This year the 911 Turbo and Turbo S have both adopted a more advanced rear-wheel steering technology that the GT3 began using first. When the car is traveling less than 31 miles per hour the rear wheels move in the opposite direction to the front wheels, to improve turning control. At higher speeds the wheels move in the same direction which improves handling.

Another new features that you won't find on the other Turbots is active aerodynamics. The spoiler in front can lower and raise itself, and the rear spoiler has three different positions that it can switch to, to adjust the handling of the car depending on the type of driving that you want to do.

Performance

Porsche has stated that their new Turbo S is able to get around the Nuburing in less than 7:30 and that is with the stock tires on the vehicle that come standard with every purchase. That means that when you buy the Turbo S, you are getting a very fast car that is built for racing at high speeds.

Performance is boosted to higher levels with an excellent variable twin turbocharging system. The system is innovative because the vanes that feed air to the engine are adjustable. This means that early on the engine has greater performance thanks to an increase in the fed air pressure to the engine. The car performs better at a wider range of speeds thanks to this adjustable feature.

Great Looks

Both of the Turbo models have been modified to look just as fast as they actually are. You can tell when you are looking at a Turbo for a few different reasons. The first is because these cars are very wide. When compared to the Carrera, you are gaining a couple inches of width, and it is very noticeable. On top of that the tires are large, at 20 inches they really stand out compared to many of the other 911 models.

Now that you know what the 911 Turbo has to offer let's talk about pricing and when the car is actually going to be available for purchase. The base turbo model is going for 149,250, while the Turbo S will cost $182,050. Both of these prices include the destination charge of $950 that Porsche is charging their customers to have the cars delivered. These cars will be available for purchase later on this year, and there is sure to be a line of people eagerly awaiting them, since these lightning fast cars have been tuned to perform so well in day to day driving as well.

2014 911 GT2

Major Changes Occurring in the 2014 911 GT2

Porsche has recently released the information on their 2014 911 GT3 and some people were disappointed by it because it had less than 500 hp. Although it isn't a big deal for most people, for those that it was a big deal to, there is the 911 GT2.

Normally when you have a model number that is lower, you assume that it is going to have less power. This simply isn't the case with the GT2, and you will get above 500 hp with this vehicle which means that it has more raw power to work with than the GT3 does.

What You Get

The engine and transmission of the GT2 are both based off the 911 Turbo S. Instead of the 475 horsepower that comes in the GT3, you are getting a massive 552 horsepower, thanks to the 3.8 liter flat six engine. The transmission that is going to be used in this vehicle is another major change from the all-wheel drive of the GT3. Instead you are going to get the PDK seven gear clutch that is automatic, and rear wheel drive.

Weight Savings

The nice thing about a rear-wheel drive setup, over the all-wheel drive used in the GT3 is that weight is going to be shaved off the vehicle. What that means is that not only are you getting a more powerful engine to tear up the road with, but you are also getting al lighter vehicle that is going to benefit from the power even more than the GT3 would have. Overall this new setup should result in a noticeable increase in power. Although you probably wouldn't notice a difference without driving both vehicles extensively, if you were to switch from one to the other you would be able to tell there is a distinct difference.

Real Life Speed

Now that you know how much power this variant of the 911 is pushing, it is time to learn how that effects real life performance, with some times and actual speeds. The car should be able to go from 0 to 60 in 3.0 seconds without a problem. On top of this blistering acceleration, it will top 200 mph which means that you can get wherever you want to go much faster than you could in that minivan at the other side of your garage.

Many will rejoice at the added power that the GT2 possess, while a few are going to continue to complain about the PDK transmission that is becoming more prevalent in the newer Porsche models.

If 500 hp isn't enough for you, there is a rumor that Porsche is planning on releasing an even more powerful variant of the GT2 later on after the initial launch. This RS variant of the car will push up the horsepower to a whopping 620, and that amount of power will make this car even more intense that it already is. Unfortunately that won't be released until 2015 so you will have to be patient if you would rather get the upgraded version.

Porsche Evolution

The Evolution of the New Porsche Boxster

The Porsche Boxster has always been an enjoyable vehicle to drive. Sure it doesn't have the same level of power as the 911, but it has enough pep to make for an invigorating drive, and with the changes that Porsche has made on their latest iteration of the vehicle, it becomes even more enjoyable to operate.

Lighter Weight

One of the main changes that has been made to the Boxster that previous owners are going to notice is the weight reduction. Porsche is always trying to cut weight from their vehicles any way that they can, and they have succeeded in doing this by making more parts of their vehicle out of aluminum than they did previously. Even though the vehicle is now longer, and wider, it weights quite a bit less, and it is apparent in the handling of the boxster.

Altering the Wheels and Dimensions

The overall dimensions of the new boxster is quite a bit different than the older versions. The wheelbase is noticeably wider, and the car itself is longer than it was before. On top of that the wheels come 19 inches on the standard version of the car, and they can be up to 20 inches on the Carrera S version of the vehicle.

The Engine Stays the Same

Porsche really hasn’t changed much in respect to the engine and the overall drivetrain. A very similar engine is in the Boxster that was in the 2013 version, and it just has a very small increase in horsepower that isn't likely to make any noticeable performance difference.

They also left the mid-engine placement in the Boxster to appease fans who really enjoy the balanced and center feel to their vehicles. This is the same configuration that the IS has, and drivers enjoy bringing these cars around the track for that very fact.

Interior Changes

There have also been some noticeable changes to the interior of the Boxster, most of the are slight changes to the overall dashboard and console configuration, and the Boxster has been altered to look very similar to the 911, and the Cayenne on the interior.

The center console in the Porsche Boxster now slopes toward the stack in front of it more than it did before. Some buttons have also been positioned on the console that used to be on the stack. Other than that, you get the same classy interior that most people have come to know and love from the Boxster.

Many slight changes have been made to the Boxster and for the most part they seem to be for the better. It accelerates and handles better than it did before, the interior of the vehicle is a little more accessible, and the vehicle looks better than it did a year before.

Boxster fans should be excited about this new Porsche even though nothing groundbreaking has been done to the vehicle to make it very different from past iterations. It certainly is more enjoyable to drive than older Boxsters and they are moving in a great direction in that respect.

Transforming Porsche

Major Changes Occurring in the 2014 911 GT2

Porsche has recently released the information on their 2014 911 GT3 and some people were disappointed by it because it had less than 500 hp. Although it isn't a big deal for most people, for those that it was a big deal to, there is the 911 GT2.

Normally when you have a model number that is lower, you assume that it is going to have less power. This simply isn't the case with the GT2, and you will get above 500 hp with this vehicle which means that it has more raw power to work with than the GT3 does.

What You Get
The engine and transmission of the GT2 are both based off the 911 Turbo S. Instead of the 475 horsepower that comes in the GT3, you are getting a massive 552 horsepower, thanks to the 3.8 liter flat six engine. The transmission that is going to be used in this vehicle is another major change from the all-wheel drive of the GT3. Instead you are going to get the PDK seven gear clutch that is automatic, and rear wheel drive.

Weight Savings
The nice thing about a rear-wheel drive setup, over the all-wheel drive used in the GT3 is that weight is going to be shaved off the vehicle. What that means is that not only are you getting a more powerful engine to tear up the road with, but you are also getting al lighter vehicle that is going to benefit from the power even more than the GT3 would have. Overall this new setup should result in a noticeable increase in power. Although you probably wouldn't notice a difference without driving both vehicles extensively, if you were to switch from one to the other you would be able to tell there is a distinct difference.

Real Life Speed
Now that you know how much power this variant of the 911 is pushing, it is time to learn how that effects real life performance, with some times and actual speeds. The car should be able to go from 0 to 60 in 3.0 seconds without a problem. On top of this blistering acceleration, it will top 200 mph which means that you can get wherever you want to go much faster than you could in that minivan at the other side of your garage.

Many will rejoice at the added power that the GT2 possess, while a few are going to continue to complain about the PDK transmission that is becoming more prevalent in the newer Porsche models.
If 500 hp isn't enough for you, there is a rumor that Porsche is planning on releasing an even more powerful variant of the GT2 later on after the initial launch. This RS variant of the car will push up the horsepower to a whopping 620, and that amount of power will make this car even more intense that it already is. Unfortunately that won't be released until 2015 so you will have to be patient if you would rather get the upgraded version.

Porsche Developed for Race Car Drivers First

Racing Engineering For Drivers

All of the innovations in Porsche passenger vehicles, and passenger vehicles in general were developed first for the race track. There isn’t as much need to develop new technology to simply drive people around town, but engineers have been constantly pushing the envelope on new driving technology for the purpose of winning races.

As that new technology is created eventually, the most useful pieces of the technology make their way over to passenger vehicles and they begin being used on a daily basis with standard driving.

Porsche racing technology is currently being used in the body of their passenger cars, the break system, many of the materials throughout the vehicle, as well as the interior safety harnesses and airbag systems.

Calgary Porsche 

Rear View Mirror

Rear view mirrors were a tool for race car drivers before they were ever used in passenger vehicles. They were a tool to see the competition before they got up to you and eventually companies began to realize that rearview mirror were a good idea for passenger vehicles as well and one of the most useful inventions was created and implemented in most vehicles, including Porsches from that point on.

Roll Cages

Most people who know anything about race cars at all know that they have roll cages to protect the drivers. Over the years these cages have become more advanced as cars have become faster and more powerful. What most people don’t realize is that these same roll cages are included in passenger vehicles, they just aren’t visible. Porsche vehicles are desired for their attractive appearance, their sleek bodies, and their raw power. Hidden amongst all of the luxury is a fully functional roll cage that would help protect you if you flipped the vehicle.

Under the trim of the vehicle, the cloth and the leather and the wood there are solid steel, carbon fiber, and aluminum supports. These supports surround the vehicle and help it maintain a strong frame that will resist crumpling under impact.

Carbon Fiber

Carbon fiber wasn’t invented for the sole purpose of improving race cars, in fact it was invented in the 1800’s by Thomas Edison for use in his early light bulbs, but it was adopted by race cars before passenger vehicles and now is slowly making its way to high-end sports cars.

Carbon fiber really does improve the safety and reliability of cars because it is stronger than steel while weighing less. That means that the weight of cars can be lowered while they are actually made stronger. Carbon fiber can be bent and flexed and stretched over and over again without wearing down and that means that it will last for extremely long periods of time before braking.

Carbon fiber is slowly replacing parts on Porsches cars and SUVs to make them more responsive, easier to handle, and most importantly stronger.

Each of these technologies would never have made their way to Porsche passenger vehicles if it were not for the ambitious racing program that keeps pushing the envelope on car technology in general.