Porsche 911 2014 News

The first image of the new Targa variant of the Porche 911 has appeared ahead of the model's Detroit official unveiling, with the third 991-generation 911 bodystyle being let out of the bag early by industry site Inautonews. The image reaffirms the styling previewed by patent images last month, and a leaked dealer presentation last September.The new Targa will see a return to the traditional full-width roof opening and fixed Targa bar, compared with the sliding glass centre roof section of the previous three 911 generations.One likely evolution for the new model is the apparent soft roof section, which could fold away neatly to avoid the storage issues of a solid piece.Aside from the unique roof design, the 991 911 Targa is likely to mirror the existing hardtop and convertible Carrera and Carrera S, Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S two and all-wheel drive specs, with either a 257kW/390Nm 3.4-litre or 294kW/440Nm 3.8-litre flat sixes, with seven-speed manual or PDK dual-clutch auto transmissions.

It will come as little surprise to anyone with even a vague grasp of physics that the Porsche Carrera GT supercar that claimed the life of Hollywood actor Paul Walker was speeding.Initial reports after the November 30 crash suggested that the collision had occurred between 50-70km/h, but the cornering forces required to unsettle a Carrera GT indicate a far greater impact speed.According to CNN, the coroner investigating the accident that killed the driver Roger Rodas and his passenger Walker was travelling at more than 160km/h before it collided with a tree and light pole, causing it to nearly split in half and burst into flames.The accident occurred between a 45mph (72km/h) and a 35mph (56km/h) zone where the Kelly Johnson Parkway becomes Hercules St in Valencia, Santa Clara, California, following a long sweeping bend.Paul Walker was the star of five Fast and Furious films, founder of the Reach Out Worldwide charity, and was working on the seventh Fast and Furious film at the time of his death. Watch the eyewitness video of the crash scene here. Watch the Paul Walker Fast and Furious supercut video here. This reporter is on Twitter: @Mal_Flynn 

There are exciting new releases planned across the board; from budget hatches to practical SUVs, to exotic supercars. We’ve broken them down into segments and likely price categories to help you. We've based our price estimations on the current market, but some estimations could change in the future, and some model ranges span across price categories, so be sure to check our other stories...New cars for 2014 | less than $20,000New cars for 2014 | $20,000-$40,000New cars for 2014 | $40,000-$59,000New cars for 2014 | $59,000-$100,000LUXURY CARSAudi A8: Audi will refresh its A8 flagship sedan lineup by mid-2014, with subtle styling tweaks and interior details, along with shuffled drivetrain options. (Approximately $188,000-$249,000)Audi RS7 Sportback: Essentially a five-door hatch version of the existing RS6 Avant, the RS7 will arrive in February with sleeker Sportback styling than the wagon, and the same 412kW/700Nm 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8. 0-100km/h is the same 3.9 seconds too. (Approximately $240,000)Bentley Continental GT S: While Bentley prepares its first SUV model, there’s not much else in store for 2014 from the legendary Brit aside from powered-up new S models added to the V8 Continental GT lineup. (Approximately $380,000)Jaguar XJR: Jaguar will add the new XJR to its XJ big sedan lineup in the first quarter, with the 5.0-litre supercharged V8 performance flagship to sit above the existing Supersport range-topper. (Approximately $350,000)Lexus RC: Lexus’ new RC coupe should arrive before the end of 2014 to take on the BMW 4 Series and Audi A5, with a choice of petrol V6 and hybrid drivetrains likely to expand to include a high-performance 5.0-litre V8 RC-F soon after. (Approximately $70,000-$130,000)Maserati Quattroporte and Ghibli: 2014 is set to be a big year for Maserati, with the new Quattroporte (Approximately from $250,000) arriving in V6 form in January, and V8 form in February, with the return of the smaller Ghibli sedan ( Approximately from $150,000) in March.Mercedes-Benz S-Class: Mercedes will cap its local S-Class sedan lineup in January, with the arrival of the $385,000 S63 AMG high performance model. The 430kW/900Nm twin-turbo V8 S63 will sit above the existing S350 and S500 models, and be joined by the diesel-electric S350 BlueTec hybrid and twin-turbo V6 S400 variants by June. (Approximately $250,000-$385,000)Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe: Mercedes’ upcoming S-Class Coupe is expected down under before the year’s end, with the yet to be officially revealed new model replacing the existing CL coupe models. A drop-top version is also planned, and a V8 and V12 petrol-only lineup is expected with an entry price north of $300,000 likely.Porsche Panamera E-Hybrid: The plug-in Panamera E-Hybrid is also due early in the year, with a supercharged 3.0-litre V6 and 70kW electric motor to enable 3.1L/100km fuel use with 0-100km/h acceleration in 5.5 seconds. (Approximately $296,900)SUV/4WDLand Rover Range Rover: Before mid-year, Land Rover will add a range-topping lineup (Approximately $250,000) with new hybrid versions of it and the Sport expected before the end of the year. (Approximately $102,000-$182,000)Porsche Macan: Porsche will add the new sub-Cayenne Macan SUV to its Australian lineup from June, with the cheapest diesel model forming a new entry point to Porsche ownership at $84,900. Twin-turbo 3.0 and 3.6-litre V6s will sit further up the price scale, with the 294kW top-spec capable of 0-100km/h in 4.6 seconds. (Approximately $84,900-$122,900)SPORTS/PERFORMANCEAston Martin V12 Vantage S: Aston will add its fastest model this side of the ultra-exclusive One-77 in the first quarter of this year, in the form of the track-ready V12 Vantage S coupe. (Approximately $450,000)BMW M3 and M4: BMW’s new M3 and M4 mid-size performance heroes are set to arrive after mid-year, with the move to twin-turbo six power resulting in the fastest M3 to date, and matched by the renamed M4 coupe. (Approximately $124,000-$180,000)BMW i8: The i8 plug-in hybrid sports car is expected to arrive before the year’s end, blending grand tourer luxury with 4.4 second 0-100km/h acceleration and 2.5L/100km fuel economy. (Approximately $200,000)Ferrari 458 Speciale: The first of 60 Australian examples of Ferrari’s hardcore 458 Speciale are set to arrive before mid-year, with the lighter, more powerful track-focused special able to lap Fiorano 1.5 seconds faster than the old Enzo flagship. (Approximately $550,000)Jaguar F-Type Coupe: Jaguar will add the recently unveiled Coupe version of its stunning F-Type in the third quarter, with the 20kg lighter V6, V6 S and V8 S variants also expected to slightly undercut their soft-top counterparts on price. The Coupe-only F-Type R will sit at the top of the hardtop range, with the 404kW/680Nm spec V8 promising 0-100km/h acceleration in the order of 4.2 seconds. (Approximately $125,000-$200,000)Lamborghini Huracan: With the Gallardo now officially out of production, Lamborghini is keen to follow with its Huracan replacement to sit beneath the V12 Aventador models before June. The V10 Huracan is set to challenge Ferrari’s 458 with an uprated version of the Gallardo’s 5.2-litre V10 and seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. From $428,000Nissan GT-R: Nissan will bring its latest incarnation of the GT-R performance coupe down under from March, with cosmetic upgrades the key changes for 2014. New LED headlights and taillights are changed for the first time since 2007, and mesh wheels keep Nissan’s giant-killer a fresh opponent for Porsche’s new 911 Turbo models. (Approximately from $170,000)Porsche 911 Turbo and GT3: Porsche will launch several key hi-po versions of the 991 911 to its Australian lineup in the first half of 2014, with the $359,800 Turbo and $441,300 Turbo S arriving first in coupe and convertible ($29,000 premium) guises, with the $294,000 track-oriented and now PDK-only GT3 soon after.Porsche 911 Targa: The new semi-convertible unveiled in Detroit will touch down in Australia before mis-year, with a new folding roof mechanism and all-wheel drive 4 and 4S versions. Both manual and PDK auto will be available, and prices will sit $2,300-$3,300 over existing Cabriolet models. (Approximately $247,900-$291,050)CONVERTIBLESAston Martin Vanquish Volante: For those who prefer their V12 Astons roofless and with a back seat, Aston will bring the Vanquish Volante to Australia in the first quarter of 2014. (Approximately $510,000)Bentley Continental GTC S: Like the hardtop GT, the soft top Continental GTC is set to score a powered up S model in 2014. (Approximately $420,000)BMW 4 Series convertible: The folding hardtop version of BMW’s 4-Series coupe is expected by March, and echo its hardtop sibling with 420d, 428i, and 435i drivetrains. (Approximately $85,000-$120,000)   

Porsche will unveil the 991-generation 911 at January's Detroit motor show with a targa roof, and while we've already seen a leaked rendering of the car in September, we're now getting a better look from all angles with these images.Reportedly patent registration images, they show the 911 Targa echoes the 1960s ancestor with a traditional full-width removable section that opens the roof between the windscreen and a strengthened B-pillar -- rather than the sliding glass sunroof of the three previous 911 generations.While launch dates and full specification are yet to be confirmed, we've previously reported the Targa will likely be powered by a 3.4-litre 'boxer' six-cylinder developing 257kW of power, while the Targa S version will have a 3.6-litre with 300kW. Both engines will be mated to a manual transmission as standard, with the Porsche PDK automatic an option.

Newly-retired Formula 1 driver Mark Webber says he'll contest his first Bathurst 12 Hour endurance race in 2015, sharing his Porsche with Australian movie star Eric Bana. Barely two days after his final F1 grand prix in Brazil, Webber revealed his intention to compete in Australia's longest motor race via Twitter on Tuesday.Asked by a fan whether he will be driving for Porsche at the growing sportscar race at Bathurst's Mount Panorama track in February next year, Webber replied on Twitter: "15 with @EricBana67 @jamestomkins65" Bana responded "Sounds like a plan".It is likely the 37-year-old Webber will drive a Porsche 911 GT3 at the sportscar endurance event, having just signed with the German sports car maker.Bana, best known for his roles in Chopper, Black Hawk Down, Hulk, Munich and Troy, is a renowned car enthusiast, producing and starring in the feature-length documentary "Love the Beast".He has previously raced in the Bathurst 12 Hour as well as the Targa Tasmania rallies and the Porsche GT3 challenge.Webber quit Formula 1 after 12 seasons in the category to switch to sports car racing with German manufacturer Porsche.The Australian will link up with his new team in January and is yet to reveal his 2014 schedule, but has confirmed he will be attending the Australian F1 Grand Prix on Porsche's behalf.The Bathurst 12 Hour has been rapidly building its reputation internationally, with exotic sportscars from Porsche, Ferrari, Mercedes and Audi contesting this year's race.www.heraldsun.com.au 

Details of Porsche’s new Macan SUV have been leaked online, giving us our first official taste of the new sub-Cayenne model ahead of its official unveiling at the LA motor show in November.US site Jalopnik has published a series of slides from a dealer presentation in the US, which outline part of the Macan’s drivetrain lineup and US pricing.According to the slides, the new Audi Q5-based SUV will be available with either 3.0 or 3.6 litre turbocharged petrol V6 engines from launch, with the 3.6 expected to be the performance flagship.Outputs, performance, and efficiency claims were not specified however, and the Macan is also expected to offer petrol four cylinder and turbodiesel V6 options further down the track.The slides list US pricing of the V6 petrol models as $US52,000 ($55,950) for the 3.0 litre, and US$75,000 ($80,690) for the 3.6 litre version, but don’t expect those prices to be a straight equivalent when the Macan launches here.However the US-spec 3.0-litre Macan will slip in just beneath the Cayenne Diesel available locally for $101,100, and the 3.6-litre just beneath the Cayenne GTS available here for $150,400, which gives a better indication of the smaller SUV’s price band in Australia.The Macan’s exact styling remains a mystery though, with the presentation showing just a digital rendering from German site Autobild.Also mentioned in the presentation was the upcoming Targa version of the 911, which will debut at the Detroit show in January, with the slides confirming a return to the traditional full-width roof opening, compared with the sliding glass centre roof section of the previous three 911 generations.Upcoming GTS versions of the Boxster and Cayman were also shown, with outputs of 243kW and 250kW to sit above the existing 232kW and 239kW S models, along with unique 20 inch wheels and body styling. The Porsche Macan is expected to arrive in local showrooms in the first quarter of next year, while 911 Targa and Boxster and Cayman GTS launch dates are yet to be announced.This reporter is on Twitter: @Mal_Flynn 

Following the reveal of the new 2014 Porsche 911 Turbo last week, we’re now down to just a few Type 991 Porsche 911 variants that are yet to surface. They include new generations of the 911 Targa, 911 GT3 RS and supercar-rivalling 911 GT2 and 911 GT2 RS. Today, we have the first details on the new 911 GT2, courtesy of Autocar. The British outlet reports that we’ll see the car at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show next March. It will once again feature a similar spec to its 911 Turbo sibling, but to separate the two the 911 GT2 will stick to rear-wheel drive and have a higher output. This means it will feature a twin-turbocharged 3.8-litre flat-six engine, four-wheel steering and engine stop-start technology. Peak output is said to at least match the 412kW of the recently unveiled 911 Turbo S, representing a 22kW boost over the outgoing 911 GT2.  As for the transmission, Porsche’s seven-speed PDK dual-clutch unit is said to replace the outgoing model’s six-speed manual. Initial performance specs include a top speed in excess of 320km/h and a 0-96km/h time of 3.0 seconds or less. By 2015, the new 911 GT2 RS is expected to land. This model is expected to match the 456kW of the outgoing model but should benefit from a lighter curb weight, the quick-shifting PDK and the new four-wheel steering setup. www.motorauthority.com  

...of the upcoming Porsche 911 Targa.Don't be fooled by the cabrio-like looks as the car has a hidden retractable centre roof section and a built-in rollover bar. 

The wraps have only just come off the new 2014 Porsche 911 GT3, the track focused version of the latest 991 family of 911 models, but already we have details on its more hardcore cousin, the 911 GT3 RS. From the Carrera RS 2.7 of 1973 right up to the Type 997 911 GT3 RS launched in 2010, Porsche’s ‘Rennsport’ models have held the reputation for being some of the best examples of race cars built for the road. They’ve also continued to carry their outlandish paint jobs, with the most recent model offering color combinations such as bright orange and black or matte gray and red. Speaking with CAR, Andreas Preuninger, the head of Porsche’s GT production car department, said work was already well underway on a new 911 GT3 RS and that we could expect to see the car as early as next year. This suggests we’ll see it launched for the 2015 model year. “The RS is always three-quarters of a year behind the GT3, so we’ve already begun,” he said. While there were some hoping to see a proper three-pedal manual offered on this model, Preuninger revealed the car will stick with Porsche’s PDK dual-clutch transmission. However, while the PDK in the new 2014 Porsche 911 GT3 shifts gears in about 100 milliseconds, the unit in the 911 GT3 RS could be tuned for even faster shifts. On top of this, the electronic steering may also be tweaked so that it matches the brilliance of the previous GT3 RS 4.0 limited-edition model, which came with regular hydraulic steering. Preuninger explained that the slightly tamer nature of the 2014 Porsche 911 GT3 meant that its RS variant could be made even more extreme to help further differentiate it. Expect a lighter curb weight, more aggressive aerodynamics and increased output from its engine. A figure of around 500 horsepower is likely. Stay tuned for an update. www.motorauthority.com