Topical? No, because this all took place back on January 11th, but somehow it escaped our notice until now.

Apparently, the Porsche's owner parked the car over some still-hot coals from a pre-game BBQ. During the course of the game the coals set fire to the Porsche, resulting in a total loss. So not only did these Giants fans lose the game, they're also taking out their rage on an already destroyed car. Fail.

Hat tip to Eric!

Over a 402-mile route that included country and city roads in addition to the Autobahn, they averaged 52 MPH, with a top speed of 81 MPH. That sounds an awful lot more fun than I had driving 20 MPH in a Ford Fusion Hybrid.

The trick was to keep the 911’s engine at its most efficient point: between 1,800 and 2,000 RPM. The test was intended to promote supposedly fuel saving new technologies like direct injection and the new dual-clutch transmission. But, since the 911 already averages 24 MPG (US) in the European combined cycle, what this really highlights is the effect driver behavior has on fuel economy.

As drivers seek to achieve better fuel economy from their vehicles, car manufacturers are finally beginning to promote the advantages of efficient driving behavior. In Porsche’s case, this means a publicity stunt, but manufacturers like Ford and Honda are starting to equip their more efficient models with instrumentation that instructs drivers on fuel efficient behavior, then rewards them for achieving good economy. [via MotorAuthority]

New Engines, Double-Clutch Transmission and Electronically Controlled All-Wheel-Drive

Atlanta, June 25, 2008 - New engines, all-wheel-drive systems, transmissions, interior features and exterior cues will mark the evolutionary advances of the new 2009 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S models upon their introduction this fall when they join the already announced two-wheel-drive 2009 Porsche 911 Carrera and Carrera S.

Like the improvements to the rear-wheel-drive models, the combined changes for the Porsche 911 Carrera 4/4S will result in enhanced performance coupled with better fuel economy and reduced emissions.

The output of the 3.6 liter engine in the Porsche 911 Carrera 4 increases by 20 horsepower to 345 hp. The Porsche 911 Carrera 4S with its 3.8 liter engine is equally impressive, with an increase of 30 horsepower to 385 hp.

The revolutionary PDK works in conjunction with direct fuel injection for the flat-six engines and electronically controlled all-wheel-drive system to provide these seemingly diverse improvements to performance, fuel-economy and emissions.

The new generation of the Porsche 911 Carrera 4/4S replaces the former all-wheel drive viscous multiple-plate clutch system with a more dynamic electronically controlled PTM (Porsche Traction Management) system. This system, originally developed for the Porsche 911 Turbo and adapted for the normally aspirated variants, combines the driving pleasure typical of Porsche with a high level of driving stability, traction and agility, which is further enhanced by a (now standard) mechanical locking rear axle differential.

Standard on all versions of the new model are a proven six-speed manual transmission. As an alternative, the new Porsche 911 Carrera 4/4S are available with the Doppelkupplungsgetriebe or double-clutch, which replaces the Tiptronic S automatic transmission. The PDK offers faster gearshifts and better fuel efficiency. The PDK gearbox comes with seven gears shifting hydraulically without the slightest interruption of traction and pulling force.

The new generation of the Porsche 911 series visually stands out through discreet, but striking, modifications to the front and rear lighting. The new models come with BI-XENON™ headlights and new LED daytime driving lights. The redesigned rear-light clusters feature LED technology. For the first time in a 911, Porsche offers dynamic bending lights as an option, which moves in the direction the steering wheel and the car is turning.

The Porsche Carrera 4 models retain a rear muscular stance, as before, 1.73-inches wider than the two-wheel drive version. A new reflector trim bar between the LED rear lights gives the rear end of the new car even more character.

The most compelling interior upgrade is the new Porsche Communication Management (PCM) 3.0 which features a touchscreen for simplified operation of the audio system as well as the optional hard-disk-drive navigation system. Other important additions to PCM 3.0 are the new options of XM radio with XM NavTraffic capability, Bluetooth® connectivity, iPOD® port, USB port and auxiliary jack.

The 2009 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S Coupe and Cabriolet models will be introduced in the U.S. on October 25, 2008. The 911 Carrera 4 Coupe is priced at $81,700, while both the 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet and 911 Carrera 4S Coupe are $92,300. The 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet is $102,900.

To make Porsche feel better, many other companies will be racing around the 'Ring, lowering the average times. We're cool with the Audi R8 V10, and the TT-RS is probably pretty quick but... the 2010 9-4x? We're guessing the Porsche is faster than that. [InsideLine]

If you guessed the one on the left, you're right. This is the first official interior shot of the facelifted 2009 Porsche 911, though sometimes we wonder why Porsche even bothers trying to "update" their designs. Function over form, right?

[via AutoExpress, about.com]

XM RADIO AND XM NAVTRAFFIC TO BE AVAILABLE ON ALL 2009 PORSCHE 911 MODELS

911 is First Porsche Sports Car to Add XM Availability

WASHINGTON, D.C. - June 9, 2008 - XM (NASDAQ: XMSR), the nation's leading provider of satellite radio, today announced that XM radio and its award-winning XM NavTraffic service will be available as a factory-installed feature on all 2009 Porsche 911 models. This will be the first time that XM is available in a Porsche sports car. XM is the exclusive satellite radio provider to Porsche.

XM radio has been available as a factory-installed feature for Cayenne models since 2005, and will now expand availability on all 2009 Porsche 911 models offering drivers more than 170 channels of music, sports, news, talk and entertainment coast-to-coast.

In addition to XM radio, the 911 will offer XM NavTraffic. Powered by NAVTEQ, XM NavTraffic is the nation's leading real-time traffic service, featuring comprehensive information and coast-to-coast updates every minute. With availability in 80 major North American markets, XM NavTraffic ensures that drivers have the most current and most detailed traffic and incident information at their fingertips, whether they're commuting or traveling.

"We are proud to partner with Porsche to make our award-winning XM NavTraffic service available as a feature in the entire 2009 911 model range," said Steve Cook, executive vice president, automotive, XM Satellite Radio. "The Porsche brand is known for its exceptional performance, and we're proud to deliver our advanced audio entertainment and traffic technology to drivers who expect nothing less."

"We are excited about offering XM Satellite Radio with the XM NavTraffic option to our 911 customers. This will be a great addition to our new for 2009 Porsche Communication System 3.0," said David Pryor, vice-president of marketing, Porsche Cars North America.

XM NavTraffic feeds data on incidents, such as accidents and road construction, directly to a vehicle's GPS navigation system via XM's satellite and ground network. The driver is alerted to these incidents through the navigation screen, allowing him or her to route around a jam before getting caught in traffic. Where available, XM NavTraffic provides real-time traffic information by using red, yellow and green color codes to indicate high, medium and low congestion levels.

All 2009 Porsche vehicles equipped with XM Radio and XM NavTraffic come with a three-month complimentary subscription.

Porsche today disclosed photos and details for the next generation 911 model series. Four new 911 models go on sale in September in North America - the 911 Carrera Coupe, 911 Carrera Cabriolet, 911 Carrera S Coupe, and 911 Carrera S Cabriolet. All offer a higher level of performance thanks to their all-new flat-six engines displacing 3.6 and 3.8 liters respectively. And for the first time in a Porsche sports car, engines utilize direct fuel injection (DFI) and can be coupled with the new optional 7-speed double-clutch gearbox Porsche-Doppelkupplung (PDK), racing inspired technology and a Porsche first. The result of these new technologies allows Porsche to once again boost performance of the 911, yet improve fuel efficiency by up to 13 percent as measured in the European driving cycle.

Maximum output of the 911 Carrera with its 3.6-liter engine is up by 20 horsepower to 345. The 911 Carrera S with its 3.8-liter engine is equally impressive, up by 30 horsepower to 385. With this extra power, the Carrera S now offers a top speed of 188 mph.The new generation 911 is available for the first time with the new Porsche-Doppelkupplung (PDK), Porsche's double-clutch gearbox. The seven speed gearbox combines the driving comfort of an automatic transmission with the gearshift capacity of a sequential gearbox used in race cars. Since Porsche's double-clutch also boasts an automatic gearshift function, it replaces the former Porsche Tiptronic S automatic transmission on both the Carrera and Carrera S. PDK improves acceleration while reducing fuel consumption over the previous generation of Tiptronic S equipped 911s through optimized and adaptive gearshifts.
Porsche developed this gearshift principle for racing no less than 25 years ago. It features two parallel clutches to eliminate any interruption in power delivery and eliminates even the slightest break between gears. Porsche factory drivers benefiting from this technology were able to accelerate faster than their competitors and keep both hands on the wheel while shifting gears, thus avoiding even the slightest distraction. This pioneering achievement from Porsche's racing efforts now gives the new 911 Carrera and Carrera S even better performance. The Carrera equipped with PDK covers 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds and the Carrera S reaches the same speed in 4.3 which is 0.2 seconds faster than with a manual six-speed gearbox. The customer in search of optimum driving dynamics even has the option to combine PDK with Porsche's optional Sport Chrono Plus including Launch Control. The result is high-speed acceleration free of wheel spin from a standstill and a racing shift pattern to further boost performance. The Carrera equipped with the Sport Chrono Plus accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds while the Carrera S sprints to 60 mph in an outstanding 4.1.

Exterior enhancements of the new 911 stand out clearly through innovations in design and technology. The refined front bumper has larger air intakes which signal an increase in power and the newly designed dual-arm exterior mirrors give a larger field of vision to the rear of the car. LED daytime driving lights and bi-xenon headlights will be standard on all new models, as well as LED tail and brake lights. This gives the 911 an even more distinctive style and a truly unique look from the front and rear. As a further option, Porsche now also offers Dynamic Cornering Lights on all models. In Porsche fashion, these new refinements do not change the drag coefficient of the 911 as it stays at a remarkable 0.29.

The latest Porsche Communication Management system, PCM 3.0, which includes a new touchscreen feature, will be standard on all new 911s. Along with this upgraded system, options such as a hard disk drive navigation system, XM radio with XM NavTraffic capability, Bluetooth® connectivity, iPOD® port, USB port, and aux jack will be available.

2009 911 U.S. pricing starts at $75,600 for the Carrera Coupe, $86,200 for the Carrera Cabriolet and the Carrera S Coupe, and the Carrera S Cabriolet is $96,800.

There's also an enhanced version of the Porsche Stability Management (PSM) now available with additional functions on the Carrera models and a new braking system for the 3.6-liter models including thicker brake discs on the front and rear tires — 12 mm thicker in the front and 31 mm thicker in the rear to be exact. We're also told we'll see a mechanical limited-slip diff as a standard for Targa 4 and Carrera 4 models and a 7-speed PDK transmission, which would be a sequential two-shaft transmission — just like the Nissan GT-R. Production actually started this week on the Carrera Coupe and Cabrio, with both going on sale stateside in September of this year and the new 2009 911 Carrera 4 going on sale worldwide in late October.

[Rennlist via 911uk]