Porsche Archives

Strong demand for 1980s cars at CCA

This year’s Classic Car Auctions in the UK has recorded a very good turn out. About 80% of the vehicles that rolled onto the auction block were sold, which roughly equates to £6.1 million (RM3.4 million) worth of cars. This result is a testament to the demand for classic cars and evidently CCA’s best year yet.

Though demand across the board was quite strong, the ones that garnered the most interest were the 1980s Porches. The most expensive, a 1989 911 Carrera Supersport (SSE) sold for £71,500 (RM391,162), which was more than £11,000 (RM60,179) over the estimate.

“What a fantastic way to end the year!” said Gary Dunne, Classic Car Auctions’ sales manager. “Demand for ‘everyman’ classics remains incredibly strong and we’re delighted to have achieved some great prices for our vendors.”

He later added, We’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has been involved in one of our sales in 2017 and we look forward to seeing you all again next year.”

Later on, a 1985 911 3.2 SSE Targa was sold for a similar figure at £68,750 (RM376,118). These were two of nine Porsches successfully sold during the auction. and besides Porsche, several Fast Fords caused some waves at the auction as well, with 10 of them successfully sold.

A concours condition 1987 Sierra RS Cosworth sold for £37,950 (RM207,617), a 1986 Escort RS Turbo Series I which fetched £10,120 (RM55,364) and a 1983 Escort RS1600i which sold for £9,900 (RM54,161). Then, a pristine 1987 Volkswagen Golf GTi convertible, formerly owned by Sir David Jason OBE, sold for £17,820 (RM97,490).

Considered rubbish during that era, 1980s cars are starting to gain popularity especially among those who were at the time, too young or broke, to afford such vehicles. Cars like the MkII Escort, MkII VW GTI and early generation Skylines are starting to go up in value. And it won’t be long until their prices begin to skyrocket as they become more rare and desirable than before.

Porsche stolen by thieves with technical know-how

Due to the ever increasing sophistication of automotive technology, car thieves have had to resort to more ingenious methods to circumvent newer security systems. A background in electronics and wiring are now part of the job requirements for any successful car thief.

Gone are the days when a car jacking was attempted by petty criminals armed with a screwdriver and a pair of pliers. Nowadays, they are equipped with laptops and cutting-edge hacking tools to breakdown a car’s security system.

Such was the case for a repair shop in Birmingham, where thieves broke in and stole a number of cars, including a Porsche 911 that costs £100,000 (RM549,788). After some initial tampering with the cars’ systems, they managed to drive the vehicles from the centre to a dump site not very far away.

There, they got to work at removing the telematics devices and number plates, rendering said vehicles, virtually untraceable by authorities. CCTV evidence that was gathered captured the crime, from the breaking and entering of the repair shop, to the cars driving into the dump site.

These thieves were able to perfectly conceal the identity and location of all the vehicles that were taken with the exception of the 911. See, this particular car, was equipped with another covert device from a company called Asset Protection Unit or (APU). This tracking device was hidden well enough that nobody was aware of its presence.

Once the vehicle was reported stolen, APU was able to track the vehicle’s data and relay it back to the authorities. The Porsche was found in a hotel parking lot in Coventry just two days later. Unfortunately, the culprits have yet to be apprehended. But APU is working with law inforcement to identify the suspects.

Incidents such as these are symptoms of an underfunded police force that lacks the manpower needed to keep its streets safe. In fact, 40 police forces in England and Wales recently revealing that car theft was up 30% from 2013, the theft also represents a case-study of how criminals are finding such success on UK roads.

Neil Thomas, Director of Investigation at Asset Protection Unit Ltd, said, “This latest incident is worrying evidence of thieves becoming increasingly savvy. When organised gangs of thieves go to these lengths it can make tracking and recovering the vehicles almost impossible.”

APU’s services are currently being employed by police forces and insurance companies in the UK to compensate for their lack of resources and skills. This knowledge can be used to interrogate telematics data and package it into usable evidence in court.

This way, the good guys still have a fighting chance of getting the better of the baddies who are becoming increasingly more crafty with each passing year.

Porsche cars sold at record pace at Silverstone

At the recent Silverstone Auctions that was organised in association with Porsche Club GB, over £2.5 million (RM 14 million) changed hands in about 3 hours during the sale of several Porsche cars. The bidders comprised of enthusiast from all over the world including Denmark, Poland and Indonesia.

It was a successful day because 64% of all cars at the auction were sold, some for significantly more than their estimate prices suggested. Bids were placed from the auction floor, online and by phone for the converted 1992 Porsche 911 (964) RS Touring.

The car, one of only 6 in the UK, sold for £219,375 (RM1,221,719), which is about £34,375 (RM 191,437) more than the original estimate. But the most expensive Porsche sold during that day was a 1998 Porsche 911 (993) Turbo S, which went for a whopping £253,125 (RM 1,409,675).

Other notable mentions include a 1962 Porsche 356B ‘Super 90’ Cabriolet that fetched £163,125 (RM 908,457), 1968 Porsche 911 SWB for £92,250 (RM 513,748) and a 1988 Porsche 911 Supersport (SSE) 3.2 Carrera Targa, which sold for £103,500 (RM 576,400).

“It was a remarkably successful auction, helped enormously by the quality of the cars on offer and the tremendous support of Porsche Club GB,” says Nick Whale, managing director of Silverstone Auctions. “I’m grateful to all our vendors and bidders, and very proud of my team for putting together such a fantastic catalog of stunning Porsches.”

Apart from this, many more Porsche cars were sold during the day and if you would like to know morea bout them, CLICK HERE.

We covered the history behind several of the priciest Porsche cars that were sold at auction and a few others that weren’t that special. The Silverstone Auctions is an annual event held in the UK that brings together avid enthusiasts and collectors to bid on some of the most expensive and coveted cars ever made.

Finest Porsche cars head to Silverstone Auctions

Silverstone Auctions is collaborating with the world’s biggest car club, Porsche Club GB, for an event that will see 59 of the finest Porsche vehicles roll onto the auction floor, which is sure to garner quite a bit of attention.

These vehicles range from an entry-level 2003 Porsche 911 (996) Carrera 2 Tiptronic, right up to a prestine 1998 Porsche 911 (993) Turbo S. That said, out of the 59 cars, 3 of them a little more special then the rest and should fetch a significant amount of money over the reserve price.

First off is the Turbo S, which is 1 of 26 built in right-hand drive, and is considered one of the most desirable and powerful version of the 993 generation. estimated at £245,000 – £285,000, (RM1,372,478 to RM1,596,556) it features one of the last of the air-cooled generation engines, the car boasts 450bhp , Ocean blue body colour with a grey leather and carbon-fibre clad interior.

The second car, is a 1985 Porsche 911 (930) Turbo SE that is owned by Glenn Tipton, lead guitarist of the legendary rock band, Judas Priest. He has owned the car since new and happens to be very fond of it. In fact, this was the very car that was the inspiration for the platinum-selling album ‘Turbo’, and the hit single ‘Turbo Lover’, both penned by Tipton.

Despite his fondness for it, Tipton has decided to sell his prized possession and probably move on to something else. The car has an estimated value of between £180,000 – £220,000 (RM1,008,351 to RM1,232,430) and should fetch a similar figure at auction.

Lastly, one of the rarest cars at Silverstone, is a 1992 Porsche 911 (964) RS Touring. It is one of six UK-supplied cars that are in right-hand drive and has a black body colour as well as a black interior. It is an extremely desirable vehicle that has been featured in several specialist magazines and road tests, estimated value is between £185,000 – £210,000 (RM1,036,361 to RM1,176,410).

Silverstone Auctions will take place on the 21st of October and will see 59 Porsche cars roll on and off the auction floor with substantial money changing hands as they are are sold to their new owners.

Porsche North America issues recall for Cayenne vehicles built between 2003-2006

Porsche North America has issued a statement regarding the recall of Cayenne vehicles built between 2003-2006. The reason for the recall is due to an issue pertaining to the fuel pump filter. The automaker has found that, overtime and extended usage, hairline cracks could develop on the flange of the fuel pump filter of affected vehicles.

If this does happen, a ‘very small quantity’ of fuel could seep through these cracks, which can cause a noticeable fuel odour. Though the automaker is playing down the issue, when problems regarding fuel seepage arises, they shouldn’t be taken lightly.

Porsche’s remedy for the problem is to have an authorized dealer replace the fuel pump filter flange at no cost to owners. The procedure should take approximately one and a half hours to complete, which means that inconvenience to Cayenne customers should be kept at a minimum.

So far, the German automaker has identified that 50,145 Cayenne vehicles are affected by the recall in North America. It is treating the rectification process as a ‘voluntary recall’, meaning that the issue isn’t of immediate concern to Cayenne owners.

That said, this problem seems to be isolated to the North American market. As for now, vehicles sold in other parts of the world don’t seem to have inherited this defect. Vehicles built in that part of the world, rarely share similar parts or suppliers with identical models sold in other markets.

Though many consider it as a point against Porsche’s Quality Control procedures, this goes to show that customer satisfaction is a priority for Porsche. Unlike some automakers, the company isn’t fully focused on sales profit, instead, it is still concerned with the safety of customers who have older models and are content with keeping them.

Rare Porsche heads for Silverstone auction

A rare and unassuming 1992 Porsche 911 (964) RS Touring will be one of the first cars to grace the Silverstone Auctions Porsche Sale taking place at the Wing, Silverstone on 21st October. Only 11 such cars have ever been made, fewer still that are in right-hand-drive.

Porsche started selling the car to customers as a way to homologate the model for the Porsche Carrera Cup race series. Customers could choose between two different variants, namely the Sport and Touring. Though lighter and more bare-bones than the Touring, the Sport wasn’t as appealing to many customers.

It’s punishing ride quality and stripped out interior wasn’t to everyone’s tastes. Rather, the Touring variant with its more refined equipment, sound proofing and creature comforts similar to that in the Carrera, made it the favoured choice.

Compared to the standard 964, the RS Touring had a blueprinted 3600cc air-cooled engine, lowered and stiffened suspension, ‘Uniball’ top strut mounts, strengthened engine and gearbox mounts, and uprated brakes.

Though fewer weight saving measures were carried out on the RS Touring compared to the Sport, the former still managed to be lighter than the standard 964. Porsche worked on the engine by re-chipping the engine management system and fitting a lighter, single mass flywheel.

Though the improvements only added 10bhp to the overall performance, the engine’s torque was significantly higher than that found in the standard car. As such, it’s a nimble sports car that is able to hold its own on racetracks.

The RS Touring that is up for sale sports a black body colour, black interior, sports leather seats with triple colour inlays, tinted windscreen and a sunroof, as well as unique magnesium 17-inch wheels rims and low-profile Michelin N3 tyres.

Earlier on, certain performance upgrades were carried out on the car by JZ in King’s Langley, which included a “de-cat system and Supply and fit performance chip.” As a result, power is now rated at 279 bhp at 5909 rpm.

“This is a very special Porsche, the rarest of the rare,” declares Guy Lees-Milne, general manager of Silverstone Auctions. “These cars are actively sought after by serious Porsche collectors all over the world, and this is a truly superb example.”

Current estimates peg the asking price for this particular 964 RS Touring at £185,000 (RM1,048,211) – £210,000 (RM1,189,861), which is a significant amount of money for that has not isn’t really a classic Porsche. If you would like to know more about this or the auction, please visit www.silverstoneauctions.com

Porsche might join F1 in 2021 as an engine supplier

Porsche has made it known that it is mulling over the idea of joining Formula 1 as an engine supplier for the 2021 season. The news was reported by Autosport where it mentioned that changes to engine regulations for that time, will allow the automaker to step in.

The article also reported that, Lutz Meschke, deputy chairman of Porsche’s executive board and member of the board for finances and IT, met with a number of key people in the Formula 1 fraternity.

His meeting was with Ross Brawn and a number F1 boses at the Italian Grand Prix to help gauge the feasibility of getting involved this late in the game. Porsche has not been directly involved in F1 since the early 1990s but has played a smaller roll in the sport.

This decision to participate was probably due to the F1 governing body moving to simpler and more affordable engines for the start of the 2021 season. Cost is a serious concern for less established teams, which means the new ruling could be beneficial to all.

The Stuttgart based automaker will be pulling out of the LMP1 class of the World Endurance Championship at the end of 2017 citing poor return on investment. It will however, have a works team in Formula E for the 2019/2020 season.

At the moment, Porsche has no plans to field a works team in F1, rather it will be content with supplying engines to teams who are looking for a business partner that will allow them to remain competitive.

Teams like Williams and Red Bull are considered potential customers for Porsche but nothing has been set in stone as yet. Though this may seem like exciting news, the automaker hasn’t given a definite answer of its involvement in the sport.

Source: Autosport

Porsche to abandon LMP1 in favour of Formula E racing

Porsche has announced that it will take part in the Formula E championship beginning in 2019. The sport is the first competitive racing series that comprises of fully electric racing cars that conform to the specified formula. The series was launched in 2014 and has seen a steady growth in viewership around the globe.

Unlike Formula One, Formula E seasons begin toward the end of the year and conclude toward the middle of the following year. This is done intentionally so as not compete with other forms of Motorsports series including Formula One. It’s purpose is to remind the public that electric vehicles can offer the same enjoyment as conventional race cars.

Its races are conducted on specially designed street courses in the heart of major cities worldwide. And unlike most racing events, Formula E travels to the spectators instead of the other way around.

Porsche’s participation here, also signals the end of its involvement in the LMP1 category of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). Its a world famous racing series that showcases the very best that automotive manufactures are able to offer. Most notable events of the series include the 24 Hours of Le Mans, in addition to the North American IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

Its a series that Porsche has dominated these past four years. And despite this news, Porsche isn’t pulling out of all conventional racing series in favour of fully electric ones, instead it will still be campaigning with the 911 RSR in teh GT class of the WEC.

In LMP1, Stuttgart based automaker has had three successive victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and World Championship titles in both the team and driver classifications in 2015 and 2016. However, this will be the last year that Porsche competes in the LMP1 category of the WEC as it mounts a defense of its back-to-back title wins of the previous years.

Speaking of this drastic move, Michael Steiner, Member of the Executive Board of Porsche AG responsible for Research and Development, said, ” Entering Formula E and achieving success in this category are the logical outcomes of our Mission E project. The growing freedom for in-house technology developments makes Formula E attractive to us.”

He went on to say, “Porsche is working with alternative, innovative drive concepts. For us, Formula E is the ultimate competitive environment for driving forward the development of high-performance vehicles in areas such as environmental friendliness, efficiency, and sustainability.

This restructuring of priorities at Porsche will help it to align its Motorsports activities with its direction stated in the Porsche Strategy 2025, which will see Porsche develop a combination of conventional GT vehicles and fully electric sports cars. This includes cars like the first fully electric Porsche model that will be due soon, which is based on the Mission E concept car.

Many automakers are making the gradual shift to the electric mobility platform from the fuel guzzling machines of today. This is the result of ever stricter emissions regulations imposed by regulatory bodies in Europe and North America as well as the surge in demand for EVs.

That said, it will be awhile before automakers like Lamborghini and Ferrari mirror the move made by Porsche. They still believe that the visceral feel of contemporary petrol engine race cars are still unbeatable and that it will be awhile before they dip their toes in any type of EV racing series.

Porsche 911 GT2 RS is a 700bhp track focused monster

Porsche has finally unveiled its 911 GT2 RS, a track-focused, rear-wheel drive sports car that features a race-bred chassis and rear axle steering. It’s a lightweight car, which is evident by the extensive use of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) for the exterior mirrors, air intakes on the rear quarter panels, front luggage compartment lid, certain other parts of the rear and many of the interior components.

Porsche has also fitted a titanium exhaust system that weighs 7kg less than that in the 911 Turbo and is said to deliver a distinct yet pleasing exhaust note. The roof panel is made from magnesium, which should help lower the overall centre of gravity.

And if that isn’t enough, more weight can be shed by opting for the optional Weissach package. This gets you magnesium wheels, other trim panels made from carbon fiber, which include the roof, anti-roll bars and end links on both axles.

https://youtu.be/XWpTjUk0nb4

What really separates the GT2 from other 911 cars are the large air intakes and outlets on the bumpers as well as a unique rear wing that improve the car’s overall aerodynamic efficiency and increase downforce. Porsche says that the car has exceptional grip due to the race-bred chassis, rear axle steering capabilities and the ultra high performance tyres.

This GT2 RS has the same 3.8-litre engine as that found in the 911 Turbo S but power has been increased further by the use of larger turbocharger and a new additional cooling system for the intercoolers.

As such, the twin-turbo flat six engine produces 700bhp and 750Nm of torque which is about 80bhp and 50Nm more than its predecessor. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a customised GT 7-speed dual clutch (PDK) gearbox that offers maximum efficiency and uninterrupted torque transfer. It can go from 0-100km/h in just 2.8 seconds and reach a speed of 340km/h.

Despite being a track ready car, the GT2 RS does come with the usual electronic driver safety aids that include stability control and traction control. They make up the Porsche stability management system or PSM, which can be switched off in two states using ESC off and then ESC + TC off.

Inside, the car has a red Alcantara black leather upholstery and several carbon fiber trim pieces throughout the cabin. There’s a GT2 RS Sports steering wheel that is fitted as standard and so are the full bucket seats with carbon fiber reinforced backrests and Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system, which functions as the central control unit for audio, navigation, and communication. Porsche Connect Plus and the Porsche Track Precision app are also included as standard.

Porsche has also released a chronograph watch to mark the launch of this very special car, which will only be available exclusively to 911 GT2 RS owners. It is the first clock movement that Porsche Design can call their own and is housed within an elegantly made lightweight titanium body. The movement is a caliber 01.200 one that includes a flyback function, a load-path-optimized movement bridge, and an official COSC certificate of authenticity.

The Porsche 911 GT2 RS is available to order now but customers should receive their cars towards the end of this year or in early 2018.

Porsche gets top honours in J.D. Powers survey

Porsche’s 911 and Macan models have achieved top ratings in their respective segments of J.D. Power’s Initial Quality Study. The results are based on surveys taken by more than 77,000 private individuals who rated 243 models and 33 manufacturers.

This is the sixth consecutive time that the 911 has retained the top spot but is only the Macan’s third time. Since 2012, Porsche’s stalwart 911 has between its rivals to retain the top spot in the “Midsize Premium sporty Car” category. And according to the data collected, many US customers have high regard for Porsche branded vehicles and can attest to the high quality of the Macan.

J.D. power is a US based global marketing information service that conducts customer satisfaction surveys to determine the quality and reliability of products, especially when it comes to vehicles.

“Quality is the essence of the Porsche brand, we do not compromise”, said Oliver Blume, Chairman of the Executive Board of Porsche AG. “Over more than five decades, we have continued to significantly enhance, refine and perfect the 911, in order to offer our customers the highest possible level of quality.”

For the Initial Quality Study, J.D. Powers surveys new car owners once a year, about 90 days after they have taken delivery of their vehicles. This year, owners were asked questions spanning 233 different criteria in various categories between February and May.

Apparently, owners’ evaluations covered topics including “driving experience” as well as experience with the performance and reliability of the engine and transmission of their respective vehicles.

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Porsche

Strong demand for 1980s cars at CCA

Porsche stolen by thieves with technical know-how

Porsche cars sold at record pace at Silverstone

Finest Porsche cars head to Silverstone Auctions

Porsche North America issues recall for Cayenne vehicles built between 2003-2006

Rare Porsche heads for Silverstone auction

Porsche might join F1 in 2021 as an engine supplier

Porsche to abandon LMP1 in favour of Formula E racing

Porsche 911 GT2 RS is a 700bhp track focused monster

Porsche gets top honours in J.D. Powers survey

Strong demand for 1980s cars at CCA

Porsche stolen by thieves with technical know-how

Porsche cars sold at record pace at Silverstone

Finest Porsche cars head to Silverstone Auctions

Porsche North America issues recall for Cayenne vehicles built between 2003-2006

Rare Porsche heads for Silverstone auction

Porsche might join F1 in 2021 as an engine supplier

Porsche to abandon LMP1 in favour of Formula E racing

Porsche 911 GT2 RS is a 700bhp track focused monster

Porsche gets top honours in J.D. Powers survey

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