Colin-on-Cars - Real smart Ranger

Tech is new definer of automobiles for car buyers with power, torque and performance having largely given way to the kit inside the cabin and Ford is following this trend by making the next-gen Ranger the smartest Ranger yet.

From the new-generation SYNCi 4A infotainment system to large-format screens that behave more like smartphones and digital instrument displays replacing analog clusters, next-gen Ranger pushes the boundaries of what a smart truck should be with its customer-focused technology.

“Customers had an overwhelming response to the next-gen Ranger’s new interior design and the technologies our teams had integrated on the inside,” says Graham Pearson, Ranger vehicle program director. “Once again, Ranger will re-define the segment with a premium interior that clearly shows people don’t have to sacrifice interior comfort or technologies just because they desire a truck.”

Panel

Inside is an 8-inch colour, reconfigurable, digital instrument panel that allows more information to be presented to the driver than an analog system. Additionally, the large-format, 10,1 or 12-inch infotainment screens, featuring Ford’s SYNC 4A communication and entertainment system, have helped declutter the dashboard.

Ranger’s electric parking brake and first-in class e-shifter bring a more tech feel to the interior and allow greater accessibility and space to drivers.

It also takes lighting to the next level with full LED lighting for both front and rear, as well as zone lighting.

The FordPass app enables owners to use their smartphone to organise things such as service scheduling, remote start, vehicle location, vehicle health alerts, remote locking or unlocking, and activating the heating or cooling to the previously set temperature.

Cluster

The new Ranger has done away with a physical instrument cluster for things such as the speedometer, replacing them with an 8-inch digital instrument panel that can be customised. These displays boast a start-up and farewell animation and a digital speedometer and tachometer. The graphics also feature realistic body-style avatars.

Depending on the variant, owners can toggle between layouts showing information such as driver-assist technologies, tachometer on or off, and extra gauges. There’s also a ‘calm view’, which removes information on demand from the display.

Because it features on and off-road driving modes, the instrument panel displays a different theme for each selected drive mode, with animated mode changes when the driver scrolls from one to the other.

SYNC4A offers wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity and displays the latest features used to make the SYNC4A system easier to navigate. If the customer has cellular coverage, SYNC4A can provide real-time information – traffic alerts and more.  

Modem

The Ranger will be fitted with an embedded factory-fitted modem allowing connectivity on the go when linked with the FordPass App, so customers can stay connected to their bakkie. Ranger also is designed to evolve over time. In the future, customers will be able to secure Ford Power-Up updates, which offer enhancements from updating the SYNC 4A software, to upgrades that improve the vehicle’s quality, capability and convenience without the need to schedule a service.

With one button press, drivers can go to Ranger’s dedicated off-road screen where they can monitor the driveline, steering angle, vehicle pitch, roll angles and other controls. The cabin climate and entertainment can be controlled via the SYNC screen, with additional physical controls mounted just below the screen for quick and easy adjustments.

Breeze

The screen is linked to a 360-degree camera to make parking a breeze in tight urban spaces or to assist when negotiating particularly tricky terrain while out exploring. The system allows the driver to see what’s in front of or behind the vehicle as well as a top-down view of the area around the vehicle, including blind spots, for added confidence.

Another feature for Ranger is the new exterior zone lighting system, which can be controlled via the SYNC4Ascreen or the FordPass app on smartphones. This zone lighting consists of headlights, puddle lamps, number plate lights and cargo box lights. These lights can be controlled as a ‘zone’ or altogether, which means owners don’t have to work, camp, or do anything in the dark.

Enhanced

“We’ve not only made the next-gen Ranger smarter, but we’ve enhanced the user experience. Whether it’s being able to control certain vehicle features from your smartphone via the FordPass app, or the inclusion of new-generation infotainment, we’ve improved the interface between driver and vehicle,” says Chris Clarke, connectivity applications supervisor.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbReHKFiDxo

https://bit.ly/35MI3R0

Colin-on-Cars - No nose knows

We are all quite familiar with those unique individuals whose specialised olfactory senses help define the aroma of perfume, wine or whisky – but one whose hyperosmia is dedicated to cars?

Nobody’s nose knows Nissan in Japan quite like Ryunosuke Ino’s.

Ino, a Nose of Nissan or smellmaster — designated a ‘meister’ — is responsible for checking the aroma of new vehicles. Also, so that the passenger experience is literally a breath of fresh air, he also checks car air-conditioning systems and how vehicle smells can change over time.

Working from the Nissan Technical Center in Japan as a technical expert in the Vehicle Interior Air Quality department, the 20-year veteran leads a team tasked with analysing and authorising materials used in Nissan vehicles.

Particular

“Smell is an important factor in a comfortable car experience, and Nissan is very particular about it,” he says. “Usually, passengers smell the nearest thing based on where they are in a car, so it’s important we experience from all seats.”

Research suggests our sense of smell is surprisingly strong and can recognise hundreds of thousands of different smells. Smells travel via the body’s olfactory neuron tracts to brain centers focusing on memory and emotions, such as the orbitofrontal cortex, amygdala and hippocampus. That’s why a car smell can trigger strong memories.

Studies also show humans rely more on their eyes but can perceive tremendous numbers of different smells that can also leave a lasting impression. For Ino, it’s not just the critical first impression but how we perceive smells within the cabin during the drive.

Locate

“First of all, I try to identify where the smell comes from,” he says. “I try to locate it and evaluate from the vehicle user’s perspective, such as accessing the glovebox or using the sun visor mirror. I position my torso and head just like they would to gain an accurate impression.”

During a vehicle’s cabin volatile organic compound (VOC) evaluation process, which typically takes place over three days, Ino and his team of smell experts sniff the headrests, dashboards, mirrors, glove compartments, visors, seats, ceilings, cupholders, carpeting, and any components with measurable scent.

Checks are typically done within three to five minutes to ensure proper evaluation before the nose adjusts to the interior smell. If something does not meet the standards, checks are repeated to determine cause and corrective measures.

Materials

Seats using the same materials are evaluated individually, as they may come from different suppliers with unique production processes. Ino’s team aims to ensure the cabin’s pleasing atmosphere is enjoyed by all occupants, so work extends to parts suppliers making the fabrics, adhesives and polymers used in Nissan vehicles.

Air circulation and exposure to sunlight are crucial factors impacting car smell, so the team uses a special environmentally sealed testing room controlled for heat and humidity, with a lighting system that simulates intense sunlight.

“We consider various conditions cars face such as moderate to high ambient temperatures, which can intensify a smell,” he says.

After conducting the checks, Ino gives himself a breather – literally - a self-body recalibration to normalize his sensitivity to all smells. Ino and his team each have a personal way to reset.

Baseline

“Some experts have their own way of reaching a baseline, such as smelling coffee beans, to calibrate. In my case, I reset my nose by smelling my arm near my elbow. This is familiar, so it prepares me to detect new scents.”

Ino wears a Nissan uniform washed without detergent, ensuring that his smell impressions are clean and without influence.

The Yokohama native was interested in smells from childhood but gained his sniff degree on the streets of its Chinatown, inhaling the spices and aromas of shops, including his personal favorite snack, nikuman, or meat buns.

“From a young age, I could smell things and became interested in the smells of everything I picked up,” Ino says. “I learned various scents, and in Chinatown the smell of nikuman would vary from shop to shop.”

His youthful field tests gave Ino a refined sense of smell that his current role allows him to use daily, but he adds that there are still precautions taken.

“The day before a check, I try not to eat garlic dishes and foods with strong smells.”

Preferred consumer smells vary by region, so Nissan has teams in North America and Europe doing similar testing.

“Nissan’s smell standards are designed mainly by me as the global lead smellmaster,” he says. “However, each region is slightly different based on customer feedback, and their meister makes the final decision for their market.

Testing

Ino says his team of Japan experts must themselves pass testing that includes scents such as caramel or even flower stems and extends to subtle differences in interior materials. Nissan offers training to optimize the team’s smell-detector skills.

When asked how it feels to have a sense of smell as strong as the canines used to find contraband at airports or pigs who find buried truffles in forests, Ino laughs and says his work requires a special nose, but he sees his work as an extension of his passion.

“I am very particular about smells, so will continue to focus on improving the smell of Nissan cars.”

https://bit.ly/3oulUxu

Colin-on-Cars - SA hatchbacks are expensive

South Africa is the third most expensive country in which to buy a hatchback, according to research done by Confused.com.

It compared the prices of cars sold widely around the world, with reference to each car manufacturer’s local website, to reveal the most expensive (and cheapest) countries to buy a hatchback.

The top 10 most expensive countries to buy a hatchback (Volkswagen Golf):

The most expensive country to buy a hatchback is Singapore, with a Volkswagen Golf costing  $134,842 which is five times higher than in the US! While that might seem like a crazy price for a hatchback, cars in Singapore are subject to heavy taxes and fees, in an attempt to limit the number of vehicles on the road.

Ranking in second place as the most expensive to buy a hatchback is Denmark where a new Golf will cost you $43,641. Denmark is followed closely by South Africa, where you can pick up the hatchback for $42,926. 

The cheapest place to buy a hatchback is in the United States. Here, the Volkswagen Golf will cost you $23,195 when bought brand new. The Volkswagen Golf is one of the most widely available hatchbacks in the world and it’s estimated that over 35 million have been sold globally since 1974. 

Car ownership is very high in the US, so increased competition may be a reason why manufacturers are happy to set their prices so low here. 

Other Insights: 

- The cheapest country to buy an SUV is Canada ($22,806), whilst the most expensive is Singapore ($129,673). 

- An EV can be purchased at the lowest price in Macau ($40,382), however in Singapore this figure is significantly higher ($83,489). 

- If you’re after a new sports car, Canada offers the cheapest purchasing rates ($25,213), whilst Cambodia sees the most expensive ($145,000). 

Interestingly, South Africa does not appear on any of those additional lists.

https://bit.ly/3J8yev7

Colin-on-Cars - Growth of 5% possible for commercial vehicle market

An overall market growth of 5% for the commercial vehicle sector would be ideal for 2022 according to Filip Van den Heede, managing director of UD Trucks.

He believes this is achievable, saying: “The local transport industry is showing steady signs of recovery from the ongoing global impact of COVID-19. A total of 27 075 trucks and buses were sold during 2021 in South Africa1, an increase of 19% as compared to previous years.

“Despite all the unforeseen setbacks, over the past two years, the local transport industry is showing steady growth, it will be a bumpy road ahead of full economic recovery, requiring interventions such as building smarter logistics with lower environmental impact and taking a value-based approach to managing supply chains.

Opportunity

“As the saying goes, 'in every crisis lies great opportunity'. The post pandemic era presents the logistics industry with an opportunity to be part of working towards a greener planet. Logistics providers have also been part of the environmental degradation problem that our only planet is facing and now is the time to go the extra mile and be an active part of the solution as well.”

He says the company’s long-standing commitment to providing trucks and services the world needs today and tomorrow has led UD Trucks to introduce Euro 5 trucks ahead of regulations in South Africa.

“Our Euro 5 model range will expand later in 2022 with the addition of two new models. This latest launch also ensures greater resilience for businesses in a fast-changing world, be ever-ready for tighter regulations in the future.”

A Euro 5 system with SCR (selective catalytic reduction) technology is a globally proven technology reducing carbon footprint, lowering NOx (Nitrogen Oxide) levels and ensuring cleaner emissions.

Foundation

A better environment will also provide a stronger foundation to drive economic progress, helping businesses achieve sustainable growth and long-term value–especially amongst fast-growing economies, such as South Africa.

“Process enhancements such as automation, connectivity and electromobility can help reduce the pressure on logistics. We at UD Trucks have long invested in Smart Logistics solutions, outfitting our trucks with connected devices and safety features that can analyse data in real-time to improve efficiency and safety,” he says.

“The use of UD Telematics system can help customers monitor factors influencing the TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) of their fleet such as fuel consumption, utilisation, vehicle health, vehicle location and driver behaviour, to identify areas for improvement.

UD Trucks offers telematics as standard on all new trucks sold in order for customer to take their performance and TCO to new levels.

“With the opening of a new UD Trucks dealership in the Vaal region in 2021, our customers can expect more choice and flexibility as we open a few more UD Trucks dealerships in the coming years.”

https://bit.ly/3safULh

Colin-on-Cars - Car of the Year finalists named

The Top 25 Finalists for the 2022 South African Car of the Year (COTY) competition have been announced. by the South African Guild of Mobility Journalists (SAGMJ), which has run the event continuously since 1986.

“This year’s COTY finalists show us the tremendous speed of research and development in the automotive industry. The finalists represent the best of the best in South Africa, and we are eager to see who the winners of this year’s competition will be,” says Carl Wepener, Chairman of the SAGMJ.

Volkswagen Golf GTi

Besides the overall winner’s crown, finalists can also win one of ten categories: Budget, Compact, Compact Family, Midsize, Premium, Luxury, Performance, New Energy, Adventure SUV and 4X4 Double Cab. The first category, Budget, has no contenders this year.

The most competitive categories in this year’s competition are the Midsize and Performance categories, with five finalists each. The Midsize category comprises the Audi A3, Hyundai’s Palisade, Santa Fe and Staria, and the Mercedes Benz C-Class. BMW’s 128ti and M3, Porsche 911 Carrera GTS, Toyota GR Yaris and Volkswagen Golf GTI make up the finalists in the Performance category.

Hyundai Staria

Strong contenders in the Compact and Compact Family categories represent imported brands, with Toyota the only OEM that manufactures vehicles locally.

This year, the New Energy category represents a wider range of vehicles, which indicates the increased focus by OEMs in this segment of the market.

The Adventure SUV and 4×4 Double Cab categories are just as competitive this year as the 2021 COTY competition, where a newcomer in the class is competing against an established, locally manufactured rival.

With six finalists in five different categories, Toyota has the most finalists in this year’s competition. Hyundai is in second place, with five finalists in three different categories.

“The Car of the Year committee is extremely pleased with the variety of vehicles that made the Finalist round of this year’s competition. Our jury panel of experts has a tough task ahead of them,” says Graham Eagle, Chairman of the 2022 COTY committee.

Peugeot 208

The final round of scoring will commence shortly and continue until early April. This round also includes data from Lightstone, which is used for automated scoring based on segment sales volumes and spec-adjusted competitor pricing.

“The 2022 COTY committee wishes all contenders good luck. The Category Winners and Overall SA Car of the Year Winner will be announced in May,” concludes Eagle.

This year again will see a Motor Enthusiast’s Choice (public vote) as introduced during last year’s competition. Posts of each Finalist will be regularly published on social media, and the Finalist with the most likes wins. #2022sacoty.

https://bit.ly/3402b1F

Colin-on-Cars - The awards roll in for Stellantis

The Stellantis auto giant is raking in the awards with the Peugeot 9X8 winning the "Grand Prize for the most beautiful Hypercar of the year" at the 37th Festival Automobile International and The 37th Festival Automobile International jury pinning the prize for the Most Beautiful Car of 2022 to DS 4.

The Peugeot 9X8 Hypercar was revealed in July 2021 and has won over the Festival Automobile International’s jury and car design enthusiasts.

"I am very proud to win this prize, which is an acknowledgement of the Design and Peugeot Sport teams’ work, who worked together on this project," says Matthias Hossann, Peugeot's Director of Design. "The quality of the exchanges with the Peugeot Sport team was exceptional, both on a technical and human level.”

Competition

The Peugeot 9X8, a brand new generation of competition car, due to make its debut in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) in 2022, incorporates all the contemporary aesthetic codes specific to the Peugeot brand: a feline stance, fluid lines enhanced by signs of sportiness, sleek and structured flanks and also the distinctive three-clawed light signatures of the Lion. 

Slim and sleek, the Peugeot 9X8 elicits emotion and embodies speed. The Peugeot 9X8 is already an iconic object, an aesthetic and technical revolution, the ultimate design adventure.

The interior of the Peugeot 9X8, a trademark sign of Peugeot's design expertise, incorporates the brand's specific i-Cockpit concept. As with a production vehicle project, as much high level care has been given to designing both the inside and outside of the car. The cockpit of the Peugeot 9X8 has been created in its entirety to offer drivers a more ergonomic and intuitive experience.

Designed by the DS DESIGN STUDIO PARIS, DS 4 stands out with its proportions and remarkably imposing presence, as much on the outside as on the inside.

This Most Beautiful Car of the Year prize is the seventh trophy awarded to DS Automobiles during the last eight Festival Automobile Internationals.

Reward

“This Most Beautiful Car of the Year prize is a reward for the women and men who have shaped DS 4, way beyond the team at DS DESIGN STUDIO PARIS. Before even drawing the first pencil line, we worked with our engineers for two years to model the technical platform,” says Thierry Metroz, DS Automobiles Design Director.

“When we started the creative process, our room for manoeuvre for rolling out a new concept was remarkable. Inspired by the DS AERO SPORT LOUNGE concept, also recognised last year by the Festival Automobile International, DS 4’s shape is unique in the segment with hitherto unseen proportions. The line is athletic, very muscular, compact and sat on very large wheels. It turns out to be aerodynamic, efficient, and charismatic all at once.”

https://bit.ly/3KM2wW8

Colin-on-Cars - Reducing workplace vehicle crashes

With some 40% of workplace deaths the result of vehicle crashes, companies need to put in place a culture of road safety for at word drivers.

South Africa crash statistics are way higher than international levels and this serves to highlight the importance of actively trying to reduce the number of crashes that occur amongst fleets.

The CEO of MasterDrive, Eugene Herbert, adds: “Not only does it show how important it is to take measures to reduce workplace crashes but also shows the importance of giving an honourable nod to companies committed to road safety and that take active steps to reduce the occurrence of this within their companies.

Recognise

“It is for this reason MasterDrive presents its inaugural Fleet Safety Awards, which will recognise and honour companies and individuals that make this commitment to road safety. Through the awards we hope to pay homage to companies that take the issue of road safety as seriously as we do by making it a part of their company ethos, starting at the top of the organisation and trickling its way throughout to every member that gets behind the wheel.”

More information on MasterDrive’s Fleet Safety Awards will be released soon. Nominations for companies deserving of this honour are already open. Should you know of a company that you believe is paragon of road safety with the corporate world, please email  info@masterdrive.co.za to obtain more information about what is required to qualify and how to make your nomination.

Experience

The event will feature international speakers who will share their experience in the road safety arena along with a number of other speakers. The winner will be selected by an independent panel of judges based on specific criteria. The event will also be MasterDrive’s first hybrid event enabling a selected number of people to join in person.

Internationally, road safety policies within companies are given the utmost priority.

“Unfortunately, in South Africa there are only a limited number of companies, often with international presence, that give the issue of road safety as much priority. Conversely, there are a large number of companies that do not grasp the importance of doing everything possible to prevent road accidents. As a society we need to change this perception and the belief that the stats we see are as a result of the actions of other drivers and not our ourselves.

Attention

“MasterDrive believes that by lauding the companies that give road safety the attention it needs, it will encourage others to follow their example. We spend much time raising awareness of road safety and common issues that affect this. It is now time to show appreciation for the organisations that take these issues seriously. Your efforts do not go unnoticed by MasterDrive!,” says Herbert.

https://bit.ly/3tUit6A

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.

https://bit.ly/3fKY7EF

Colin-on-Cars - How the (new) Beetle became a pop icon

Every generation finds nostalgia for a time when many of its members were just being born. It’s how young adults in the ‘90s found the ‘70s fascinating, and how the styles and trends of the ‘80s and ‘90s have enjoyed their own revival in the years since.

Generation Z has kept this streak alive in recent months with a boom for all things #Y2K – a unique historical marker that’s become something of a touchstone for a simpler, happier time, even if those old enough to experience it don’t share that point of view.

Renewed

Part of this nostalgia for turn of the century culture has manifested in a renewed appreciation of one of the most unique cars of the era – the Volkswagen Beetle.

We asked Freeman Thomas, half of the design duo behind the Beetle and current CEO of Meyers Manx, how the iconic design has maintained a pop-culture edge through the years.

Originally conceived as an electric car in 1993, the New Beetle started as a small-scale model captured with a photo shoot on the sunny beaches of California before being greenlit as an auto-show concept car.

Concept

At the 1994 Detroit Auto Show, Volkswagen unveiled ‘Concept One’ a nostalgic concept car that paid homage to the original Beetle while offering a modern, front-engine chassis. The car was revealed with a sentimental video asking viewers to “remember when…,” hearkening to the golden age of the original Beetle.

“The journalists were all tearing up ,” says Thomas. “The overwhelming response from the press was so big that they would not leave the show stand and go to other press conferences, they wanted to see if Volkswagen would actually build the Beetle.”

Approved

After immense success at the Detroit Auto Show, Concept One was approved for production and Thomas and his team designed every interior and exterior detail. They took the original Beetle down to its most geometric elements—the three arches— and were inspired by industrial design to mix Bauhaus flavours with warm character design, making the New Beetle stylish and approachable.

They wanted to go forward with a design that brought in modernity rather than relying on the shapes and lines of the past.

The original interior of the vehicle reflected its exterior body lines, featuring a simple arched instrument panel with aquamarine-coloured dials inspired by glistening swimming pools of California. Thomas designed the famous flower vase in Concept One as a bit of humanity for each vehicle and as a tribute to the porcelain Rosenthal bud vases in the original models.

Memories

“Everybody has their own Volkswagen Beetle story,” says Thomas. “Memories based not just off the charisma of the design but the reliability of the vehicle and it represented Volkswagen’s philosophy of how to build, design and sell a vehicle.”

Introduced to consumers in model year 1998, the New Beetle was immediately popular. In 2003, the cabrio model was introduced and once again inspired by a mixture of modernity and nostalgia. Thomas and team designed the cabrio model’s rag top to fold down and sit on the rear of the vehicle in a way reminiscent of original convertibles.

Today

The New Beetle was all about cohesive design—one that even today maintains a precise balance between welcoming and whimsical. The vehicle is still the star of music videos, movies and now social-media posts because of its iconic design and the feelings of nostalgia it evokes.

“The means the simplicity of the past, when things were innocent and accessible and fun”, says Thomas. “That’s really what the Beetle represented.”

https://bit.ly/3FNgnIb

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.

https://bit.ly/3KqhWPQ