Report: Porsche’s got plenty in the pipeline… starting with a Cayman Targa

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Porsche

Porsche 911 Targa

It’s no secret that Porsche has big sales ambitions. Just how it plans on getting there, however, is another matter entirely. On the back of such diversified products as the Panamera and Cayenne, it’s clear that extending its product range will be integral to its growth plans, and recently appointed Porsche CEO Matthias Mueller has given a few clues as to what’s in store down the product pipeline.

First up could be a Targa version of the Cayman that could stand to bridge the gap between the existing Cayman coupe and its open-top counterpart, the Boxster, with removable (or sliding) roof panels. But that’s hardly the extent of it.

In speaking with Automotive News, Mueller hinted at plans to introduce a sub-Boxster four-cylinder sports car based on the Boxster’s platform but with the possible use of Volkswagen Golf components to keep costs down.

Beyond that, Porsche has big plans for the Panamera, including possible derivatives (like a coupe or convertible as rumored) as well as spin-offs for other Volkswagen divisions including Audi, Bentley and Lamborghini. One thing’s for sure, Porsche’s not about to sit back and rely on just one continuing product line any longer.

[Source: Automotive News – subs. req’d]

Report: Porsche’s got plenty in the pipeline… starting with a Cayman Targa originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Jan 2011 16:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spoiler Alert: Race of Champions goes the distance, plenty of champions don’t

Filed under: Motorsports, Celebrities

2010 Race of Champions
2010 Race of Champions – click above for high-res image gallery

Düsseldorf’s Esprit Arena hosted this year’s Race of Champions, making it the first time the event has been held in Germany and the first time it’s been held indoors. The 1.2 kilometer track, consisting of an outside and an inside loop, would play host to one of the finest collections of motorsport champions ever assembled: Formula One World Champions Alain Prost, Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel, World Rally Champion Sebastien Loeb, 500cc motorcycle World Champion Mick Doohan, Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen, World Touring Car champion Andy Priaulx and British Touring Car champ Jason Plato. However, it was a rookie from a country not known for its motorsports that took the fight to all of them and walked away with the belt. Make the jump for our detailed recap.

Gallery: 2010 Race of Champions

Continue reading Spoiler Alert: Race of Champions goes the distance, plenty of champions don’t

Spoiler Alert: Race of Champions goes the distance, plenty of champions don’t originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Nov 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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X Games 16 Rally offers up plenty of high, lows, and double gold

Filed under: Motorsports

X Games 16 SuperRally – Click above for high-res image gallery

Race day for the X Games rally car action started out much like the practice sessions had begun the day before – with plenty of frustration. The drivers finally figured out how to deal with the steep drop-off in the dirt portion of the track that led back into the L.A. Coliseum, but a new challenge presented itself. The course layout for the rally racing portion of the event was designed with some very tight turns. So tight, in fact, that after a few practice laps only a handful of drivers could actually make it around the course without having to execute a three-point turn.

Much of the morning saw drivers working with course officials to create a course that the cars could actually drive on. After a few different configurations were tried, one was found, but at that point there wasn’t any time left for practice. Essentially, the drivers would be competing on a course that they had never driven on. Would that result in excitement, chaos or both? Follow the jump to find out.

Gallery: X Games 16 Rally Car Racing

Gallery: X Games 16 SuperRally

Photos copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / AOL

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X Games 16 Rally offers up plenty of high, lows, and double gold originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 01 Aug 2010 20:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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