Porsche Taycan electrifies the Nordschliefe

Old school petrolheads should feel a shudder up the spine at the thought of an electric Porsche Taycan doing a 7min 07,55 sec time on the Nordschliefe.

Driven by Porsche development driver Lars Kern in a pre-series Taycan, the lap time is a whopping 26 seconds faster than he was on his last record drive, in a Taycan Turbo S Sport sedan equipped with the performance package back in August 2022.

“Twenty-six seconds is half an eternity in motor sport. Lars’ lap time of 7min 07,55 sec on the Nordschleife is sensational, putting the Taycan in the same league as electric hypercars,” says head of the model line, Kevin Giek. “And the impressive thing about it is that over several laps, Lars clocked almost exactly the same time.”

Fancy a Taycan for yourself - look no further

“I pushed as hard as I could, but that was really all I could do,” says Kern.

The Nürburgring-Nordschleife was at the exclusive disposal of the experienced racer for the day of fast laps. For safety reasons, the test car was equipped with the legally prescribed roll cage, along with racing bucket seats.

Compared to the 2022 record in a Taycan Turbo S, the times were significantly better: the pre-series car was a good 25 km/h faster heading into the Schwedenkreuz. To illustrate the difference further, by the time Kern crossed the finish line near Grandstand 13 (T13) this time, he would have only just been passing the entrance to the Nordschleife, about to enter the Antoniusbuche section, during his record drive in the Taycan Turbo S in 2022.

This put the distance between the pre-series Taycan and the current Turbo S at more than 1,3 kilometres – a figure that illustrates the leap in performance achieved on the 20,8 km course in Germany’s Eifel region.

Colin Windell

proudly CHANGECARS

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Colin-on-Cars - Car of the Year contenders announced

The South African Guild of Mobility Journalists’ has announced the list of semi-finalists for the 2022 Car of the Year competition - the oldest car competition in the country, with its inaugural event taking place in 1986.

Over the years, the COTY competition has evolved based on changes in the automotive industry.

Honda Fit

“The impact of COVID-19 on the automotive industry has also seen changes in car launches and the allocation of fleet vehicles over the last year, necessitating modifications to the 2022 COTY competition,” says Graham Eagle, Chairman of the 2022 COTY committee.

This year has also seen the increased importance of online scoring by Guild members. As in 2021, this year will also not see a physical event where winners will be announced; the winners will be announced on the Guild’s digital platforms.

Categories

The 39 semi-finalists represent 10 categories launched between March 31 and December 31, 2021. Four contenders tied with identical scores in the final 35th semi-finalist position and were all included.

Subaru Outback

A total of 65 new vehicles launched in South Africa during this period were considered for this year’s COTY competition.

Energy

For the first time in the competition’s history, the decision was made that vehicles launched with both regular and new energy derivatives would be entered into both their relevant vehicle category and the New Energy Category. Vehicle ranges that only launched a new energy derivative were also included in the ever-growing New Energy Category.

The recently announced 25 juror and trainee juror teams will vote for the 2022 COTY competition finalists in 10 categories.

The categories are: Budget, Compact, Compact Family, Midsize, Premium, Luxury, Performance, New Energy, Adventure SUV and 4X4 Double Cab.

Hyundai Palisade

 Toyota dominates with seven semi-finalists competing in five categories, but there is also strong representation by Audi and Hyundai. Surprisingly, the Performance Category has nine contenders, the most in many years. This year there are no contenders in the Budget category.

Audi A3

Shortly the jurors will narrow the field of semi-finalists to worthy finalists. They are given eight weeks to assess vehicles, after which the final scoring will commence, determining the 2022 SA Car of the Year.

“The overall 2020 SA Car of the Year winner remains the most coveted of all automotive competition titles in South Africa and enjoys international recognition,” concludes Eagle.

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Colin-on-Cars - Specials from Porsche Design

Porsche Design is celebrating its 50th anniversary – a golden jubilee indeed – and is doing so by creating a special design for the 911 Edition 50Y and restoring a 911 S 2.4 Targa from its founding year of 1972.

What unites them is the colour scheme, which, in recalling the legendary Chronograph I designed by Professor Ferdinand Alexander Porsche in 1972, sees both the exterior and the interior dominated by the colour black.

Alongside them, Porsche Design is also presenting the Chronograph 1 – 1972 Limited Edition.

“When you rethink the function of something, the form sometimes emerges as if by itself” – this was how FA Porsche described what still drives the engineers and designers at Porsche Design today. In 1972, he founded Porsche Design with his brother Hans-Peter.

Exclusive
The 911 Edition 50Y Porsche Design is based on the 911 Targa 4 GTS with its six-cylinder boxer engine delivering 353 kW. Strictly limited to 750 cars, it comes with numerous features inspired by the iconic designs of FA Porsche.

In addition to the all-black exterior, the nods to the past include the classic checked Sport-Tex seat centre panels and the red second hand of the Porsche Design Subsecond clock in the Sport Chrono Package, which comes as standard.

Buyers can also purchase a special version of the legendary Chronograph I. Features such as the edition number and wheel-shaped winding rotor underline the connection to the 911 Edition 50Y Porsche Design.

“The vision was to produce a historical counterpart to the new 911 Edition 50Y Porsche Design,” explains Ulrike Lutz, Head of Porsche Classic. “With the aid of the new Sonderwunsch (special wishes) programme, we were able to implement the idea of a unique pair of vehicles. The job of the designers and works restorers was to carefully transfer the specifications of the new car to the classic.”

The base vehicle, a 911 T 2.4 Targa from 1972, was in a poor condition and was missing some parts. The Porsche Classic experts completely upgraded the engine and chassis to the spec of the S-version. As the top-of-the-range model in its day, it had a displacement of 2 341 cc, which generated 169 kW at 6 500 r/min, and was equipped with mechanical fuel injection.

In tribute to Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, this one-of-a-kind vehicle features the same colours as the legendary Chronograph I watch that he designed in 1972, with black dominating both the exterior and interior. Classic side stripes with a Platinum satin finish and integrated Porsche Design lettering adorn the flanks.

 As a special highlight, the Targa roll bar has also been lasered in a Platinum satin finish – a new interpretation of the brushed stainless steel of the original classic model. The Targa lettering is finished in matt black.

Like the special edition model, the grille on the rear engine cover features a ‘Porsche Design 50th Anniversary’ badge with a reproduction of FA Porsche's signature.

For all Porsche and watch fans, Porsche Design is presenting the Chronograph 1 – 1972 Limited Edition with a historical logo and lettering.

Based on the original and limited to 500 examples, it is available in the usual way from Porsche Design. Limited Capsule Collections in the fashion, shoes, sportswear, luggage and accessories ranges, as well as special eyewear collections complete the anniversary offer.

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 Richard Hammond collection on auction

Former Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond is funding his new business venture by offering eight of his personal vehicles to be sold by Silverstone Auctions at The Classic at Silverstone on Sunday, August 1. 

All proceeds are to support his new business venture The Smallest Cog, a classic vehicle restoration business that will be documented in Richard Hammond’s Workshop (working title), a brand-new original docuseries airing on discovery+ UK later this year. 

“The irony of me supporting my new classic car restoration business by selling some of my own classic car collection is not wasted on me” says Hammond. 

He went on to add: “It is with a very heavy heart that they go, as they have a great deal of personal sentimental value, but they will be funding the future development of the business and giving life back to countless other classic vehicles.” 

Several of the classics are personal favourites of Hammond, with classic and limited-edition motorcycles he bought himself for his 40^th and 50^th birthdays on offer, as well as a much-loved family heirloom in the 1959 Bentley S2. 

The other lots include a stunning 1969 Porsche 911T, a 1927 Sunbeam Model 2 motorcycle, a classic 1999 Lotus Esprit Sport 350 which is number 5 of 48 built, a 1932 Velocette KSS Mk1 and a highly collectable 1977 Moto Guzzi Le Mans Mk1. The entire collection is being offered without reserve. 

Separate to his private collection, a widely publicised and beautifully restored Ford RS2000 was also due to go under the hammer the same weekend, but Hammond has deferred the release of this vehicle until the Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show Sale in September 2021 which will be hosted by Silverstone Auctions’ sister company, Classic Car Auctions (CCA). This is to allow more time for The Smallest Cog to complete the car to their exacting standards. 

Nick Whale, Managing Director of Silverstone Auctions, added: “We are delighted to have Richard both attending our sale but also joining us on the rostrum to introduce the collection. These vehicles clearly have a special place in his heart, so I’m sure it is going to be a day of mixed emotions for him, but we are confident we can deliver a keen bidding audience that will do his new business proud, we wish him the best of luck.” 

The Classic Sale at Silverstone is taking place from Friday, July 30 through to Sunday, August 1 in The Wing Building at Silverstone. The Richard Hammond Collection will be offered from 2pm during the Sunday auction.

More power and new looks for Porsche Macan 

Porsche has released the much updated Macan that gains performance along with a tweaked design and sport-air suspension as standard on the GTS. 

As the sporty flagship of the SUV line-up, the Macan GTS sits at the top of the range. Its 2,9-litre V6 biturbo engine now delivers 324 kW – an increase of 44 kW –  and it completes the 0 to 100 km/h sprint in 4,3 seconds when fitted with the Sport Chrono package and reaches a top speed of 272 km/h. 

The Macan S is now also equipped with a 2,9-litre V6 biturbo engine that produces 20 kW more power than before, with 280 kW. This propels the vehicle from a standstill to 100 km/h in 4,6 seconds while it has a top speed of up to 259 km/h.

 

A newly developed, turbo-charged four-cylinder engine with 195 kW serves as the entry point to the Macan world. It completes the standard 0 to 100 km/h sprint in 6,2 seconds and reaches a top speed of 232 km/h. 

All engines are coupled to the seven-speed Porsche dual-clutch transmission (PDK) and the Porsche Traction Management (PTM) all-wheel-drive system.

The new Macan models also offer a wide suspension bandwidth, balancing suspension comfort and sports car performance. The chassis has been optimised further and the Macan now responds more directly to the driving situation and road conditions, giving the driver even better feedback via the steering wheel. 

For this purpose, elements such as the damper characteristics of the Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) have been re-adapted specifically for this model. It actively and continuously regulates the damping force for each individual wheel. PASM is available as an option for the Macan and is standard for the S and GTS models.

On the Macan GTS with sport air suspension the body is lower by 10 millimetres and the dynamic benefits mean the suspension is 10% more rigid on the front axle and 15%t firmer on the rear axle compared with its predecessor.

 It has a redesigned nose with an inlay in the exterior colour, while on the new GTS, the centre of the nose section as well as other elements are finished in black. The rear is now rounded off towards the road by a diffuser. Here and at the front end it features a new 3D structure, which is also optionally available for the car's sideblades. The LED headlights with the Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS) and Sport Design exterior mirrors are now standard on all models.

The new Porsche Macan offers a substantially enhanced interior and its new operating concept, which makes use of touch surfaces instead of tactile buttons, brings a clear structure to the cockpit. A new, shorter selector lever sits in the centre of the control module. 

The analogue clock at the top of the dashboard is now also standard equipment.

 

The Macan continues to offer many online functions and services as standard. These can be controlled via the 10,9-inch full HD touch display of the Porsche Communication Management or by means of voice commands. 

The Macan adopts the new multifunction and GT Sport steering wheels from the 911.

Besides the dynamic benefits and black highlights on the exterior, the GTS Sport package available only for the top model also contains specific and exclusive equipment for the interior. This includes 18-way sport seats, the Carbon interior package, Race-Tex upholstery with extended leather elements, various items with contrast stitching and GTS lettering in Python Green.

The Macan, which has seen 600 000 deliveries worldwide since its market launch in 2014, has a special role at Porsche: around 80% of all Macan buyers are new Porsche customers. In addition, the proportion of women buying the Macan has risen consistently in recent years and is the highest across all Porsche product lines.

 Porsche adds GTS variants to 911 range

The Porsche 911, now in its eighth generation, is expanding its range with the inclusion of five GTS variants.

All are powered by a six-cylinder boxer engine delivering 353 kW, which is 22 kW more than the current 911 Carrera S and the previous 911 GTS. 

The five model variants are:

·                  911 Carrera GTS with rear-wheel drive, as Coupé and Cabriolet

·                  911 Carrera 4 GTS with all-wheel drive, as Coupé and Cabriolet

·                  911 Targa 4 GTS with all-wheel drive. 

An eight-speed Porsche dual-clutch transmission (PDK) or a seven-speed manual, along with GTS-specific suspension with Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), and the high-performance braking system from the 911 Turbo, is standard.

 

Available on the GTS for the first time is the optional Lightweight Design package which saves up to 25 kilograms and further enhances driving dynamics. 

The looks of the new models feature black contrasting bodywork elements and darkened headlight areas. Black is also the dominant colour of the interior where many features are made of Race-Tex microfibre. 

The turbo-charged three-litre flat-six in the new 911 GTS delivers its 353 kW with maximum torque now 570 Nm, an increase of 20 Nm over its predecessor. Acceleration from zero to 100 km/h takes just 3,3 seconds in the 911 Carrera 4 GTS Coupé with the eight-speed Porsche dual-clutch transmission (PDK), three tenths faster than its predecessor. 

Its suspension, derived from the 911 Turbo and modified for the GTS, features Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), where the dampers respond to dynamic changes at lightning speed. In the Coupé and Cabriolet, PASM is standard combined with the 10-millimetre-lower sport chassis.

 

To match the increased performance of the GTS, the models feature the high-performance braking system from the 911 Turbo. The 20-inch (front) and 21-inch (rear) black, centre-lock alloy wheels are from the 911 Turbo. The standard sports exhaust system is responsible for an even more emotive soundtrack, thanks to its GTS-specific set-up and the omission of some interior insulation. 

A multitude of black or darkened exterior details is characteristic of the 911 GTS. On the 911 Targa 4 GTS, this also includes the Targa roll bar and Targa lettering. Elements painted in black silk gloss include the spoiler lip, the centre-lock alloy wheels, the engine cover louvres, and the GTS script on the doors and rear of the car. The exterior package, in which these and other details are offered in high-gloss black, can be chosen as an option. 

All 911 GTS models have the Sport Design package, with distinctive trim for the front, rear and the side sills. The headlight rims and daytime running light surrounds are darkened, and the car is fitted with standard LED headlights with Porsche Dynamic Light System Plus (PDLS Plus). The rear lights are unique to the GTS models.

 

Driving dynamics are improved with the optional Lightweight Design package, which will be available for the first time on the GTS range. Up to 25 kg will be saved by the lighter carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) full bucket seats, lightweight glass for the side and rear windows, and lightweight battery. The rear seats are also removed. Other performance enhancements include rear-axle steering as standard in this equipment package and additional aerodynamic finishing touches. 

The gear lever of the optional seven-speed manual transmission has been shortened by 10 mm, which enables fast gear shifts with a flick of the wrist. A GT Sport steering wheel as well as the Sport Chrono package with mode switch, Porsche Track Precision app and a tyre temperature display are standard features. The standard Sport Seats Plus with electric four-way adjustment provide lateral support, comfort and convenience. The interior insulation has been reduced, which enhances the emotive driving acoustics. 

The new generation of the Porsche Communication Management (PCM) features additional functions and significantly simplified operation. The touch areas in the menu have been enlarged and the option of rearranging the tiles on the home screen is new. The improved voice assistant recognises natural speech and can be activated with ‘Hey Porsche’. 

iOS and Android users will enjoy full connectivity. With Apple Car Play and now Android Auto, the functions of the corresponding mobile phones can be fully used in the new  Porsche 911 GTS models.

 Touring package offered on Porsche 911 GT3

Regarded by many Porsche aficionados as the true ‘purist’ model, the 911 GT3 is now being made available with the Touring Package that can also be combined with the 7-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission at no extra cost. 

Porsche, interestingly called ‘broken shoes’ in China, first used the name ‘Touring package’ on an to an equipment variant of the 911 Carrera RS from model year 1973. Already then, the focus was on purist 911 design and elements of a classic interior. Porsche revived the idea again in 2017, and offered a Touring package for the previous generation of the 911 GT3, the Type 991. 

The most conspicuous difference on the exterior is the omission of the fixed rear wing of the 911 GT3 but he necessary downforce at high speeds is guaranteed by an automatically extending rear spoiler. 

Silver-coloured trim strips made of high-gloss anodised aluminium on the side windows are another distinguishing feature that underline the newcomer’s discreet appearance. The front end is painted completely in the exterior colour. 

The interior with extended leather items in Black is particularly elegant and is available exclusively for the GT3 with Touring package. The front of the dashboard and the upper side sections of the door trim panels have special surface embossing. 

The 911 GT3 with Touring package also offers the atmosphere of a classic sports car in the interior. The steering wheel rim, gear/selector lever, cover of the centre console, armrests in the door panels and the door handles are covered in black leather. The partial leather interior features black stitching. The seat centre panels are covered with black fabric, and the roof liner is also black. The head restraints bear embossed Porsche Crests. The door entry guards and trim elements on the dashboard and centre console are made of brushed black aluminium. 

Porsche also offers almost all the optional equipment for the 911 GT3 in combination with the Touring package. This includes all exterior and wheel colours, LED headlights with Porsche Dynamic Light System and Porsche Dynamic Light System Plus, various assist systems, the ceramic brake PCCB, the lift system on the front axle, all seat variants, the Chrono package and the audio systems. 

Porsche Design also offers a very special chronograph for customers of the 911 GT3 with Touring package. The timepiece features a movement with flyback function. The winding rotor evokes the vehicle’s wheel design and is available in six different versions corresponding to the vehicle configuration.