The last 7 days have been busy ones for TECHART. They’ve announced not one, not two, but three new power kits for various Porsche models. All of the new power kits are focused on Porsche Turbo model vehicles, effectively making the best in each line (arguable…I know…but let me have this one) even better.

First up is the TECHART power kit for the Porsche 911 Turbo. It’s no secret that I LOVE the 911 Turbo, so promises of enhancing it always catch my attention. The company has developed a kit that boosts under hood ponies to 700! 0 to 62 mph happens in 2.8 seconds. That’s fast enough to qualify for Capitol One “Crazy Fast” status in my opinion. With that much power on tap, along with the right set up, you’re good for over 218 mph.

Also part of the conversion kit is a fresh TECHART sport air filter, manifolds, Turbo chargers VTG, high performance intercoolers and carbon fiber engine styling package. TECHART also makes a few adjustments to the engine management programming.

Now if that weren’t enough, TECHART decided to address both the Porsche Cayenne Turbo and Porsche Panamera Turbo.

For the Cayenne Turbo, a boost to 660 hp was in order along with a number of the other TECHART performance enhancement items mentioned above. Added to the package is the company’s sport exhaust system complete with sport tailpipes tipped in polished stainless steel. The exhaust system enhances the sound note to match the other modifications.

The result is 0 to 62 mph a full half second faster than the stock model. Just 4.2 seconds. Top speed pushes up to 189 mph. I’m not sure I’d be willing to go that fast in a Porsche Cayenne.

On to the Panamera Turbo. The big enhancements are, again, performance based. Focus on the installation of new TECHART turbo charges and a TECHART sport air filter increases performance and handling. 0 to 62 mph drops to 3.7 seconds. Get this…top speed jumps above the 200 mph mark to 202 mph. Unbelievable!

All in all, the mods TECHART produces are pretty tasteful and focus on making great cars even better. I’m not always in love with their external effects, but that’s relegated to personal choice rather than a dig on the company.

9 Magazine posted spy shots yesterday of the new Porsche Panamera testing on the Nürburgring. Based on the shots, it looks like the Panamera will get a facelift, similar to the look of the new Porsche 911 that was officially announced last week.

My first thought when seeing these was, “Already?!” Doesn’t seem like the Panamera should be due for a facelift yet, but I guess it has been nearly two and a half years since it was first announced at the Shanghai Auto Show. My how time flies.

Check out all of the shots on the 9 Magazine web site here: SPIED: New Panamera Testing Around Nürburgring.

[Source & Image: 9 Magazine]

Last month, the Porsche Panamera Turbo took on the Shanghai International Circuit. The result? A track record for a four door production sedan. I know plenty of people hate em, but I love the black exterior with black wheels. Some great driving footage.

Quite the day of announcements for the Porsche Panamera model line. Not only was the Porsche Panamera S Hybrid announced (Porsche Unveils Porsche Panamera Hybrid), Porsche upped the performance ante for it’s four door sedan with the unveiling of the Porsche Panamera Turbo S.

Personally, I love Turbo S models. I like the exclusivity and the increased performance. It completely plays to my infatuation with Turbo Porsches. The Panamera Turbo S will live up to my high standards, I have no doubt, with a twin turbocharged 4.8 liter V8 and all the luxury the Panamera brings. Definitely gonna give competitors some heartache and force them to increase their offerings.

Here are the quick specs on the Panamera Turbo S:

• 550 hp (50 hp more than the Panamera Turbo) producing 553 lb-ft of torque
• A Sport and Sport Plus mode that generates additional, temporary torque topping out at 590 lb-ft
• 0 to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds
• Top “track” speed of 190 mph (I love had they’ve taken to use “track speed” for those figures)
• New 20″ Turbo II wheels, increased rear axle track width, and four-way extending rear spoiler

The car is equipped with a number of driving enhancement features and technologies. Here’s a taste from the press release:

In keeping with its sporty concept, it comes equipped with the most important driving-dynamic control systems. For example, Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) is an active anti-roll system that significantly reduces lateral body movement during corning, which enhances stability, handling and overall occupant comfort.  Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus) is also standard and works to help ensure superior traction and higher-performance cornering by applying a variable torque split to the rear wheels in combination with an electronically controlled rear differential lock. Also standard is Porsche’s advanced speed-sensitive Servotronic® steering system, a sports exhaust system, and the Sport Chrono Package Turbo that further tunes the engine and suspension at the touch of the “Sport Plus” button.

The Panamera Turbo S is going to be a performer. That’s for certain. It will start at $173,200 and is to be available later this Spring.

[Source & Images: Press.Porsche.com]

Today at the New York International Auto Show, Porsche unveiled a new Porsche Panamera model, the Panamera S Hybrid. To hit the streets later this year as a 2012 model, the car promises to be the most fuel efficient Porsche of all time. Of course, in true Porsche fashion, the car will be no slouch. 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds with a top speed of 167 mph.

One cool side note. Also on display was the first ever hybrid design, the Semper Vivus, which Porsche Museum staff painstakingly built a replica of over the course of 3 years. A heck of a contrast between old and new between the two cars.

Here is an interesting snippet about the way the hybrid system works from the press release:

The Porsche parallel full hybrid system also reduces consumption at high speeds thanks to its ‘sailing’ or coasting mode. When the driver lifts off the accelerator at normal highway cruising speeds, the gasoline engine is completely switched off and disengaged from the drivetrain by a decoupling clutch. This eliminates the combustion engine’s drag forces and braking effect in the interest of lower resistance, fuel consumption and emissions. As soon as the driver presses the accelerator, to pass another vehicle for example, the gasoline engine smoothly starts within fractions of a second and engine rpms are increased to match the current vehicle speed. It does this seamlessly thanks to the Hybrid Manager, which also helps the Panamera S Hybrid accelerate dynamically in gears at higher speeds.

Some facts about the Porsche Panamera S Hybrid:

• One mile range in purely electric mode
• Electric only acceleration up to around 50 mph
• 3.0 liter supercharged V6 motor producing 333 hp
• Additional power provided by a 47 hp electric motor
• 8 speed Tiptronic S transmission

Pricing starts at $95,000.

[Source & Image: Press.Porsche.com]

I think I’ve brainwashed my kids. Neither of them like Corvettes. I’m not a Corvette hater or anything crazy like that. At one point in my life, I may have even enjoyed owning one, but any more, they just aren’t a car I’d like to own. Every month or two, someone in the family will point out a Corvette and follow it up with the typical disapproving comment.

The Corvette, for me, seems to represent the opposite of the Porsche, even though it’s more similar than it is not. Reminds me of the movie Unbreakable. The Porsche needs an arch enemy…and that seems to be stuck in my brain as being the Corvette.

It’s interesting that today I received an email from an agency working with Consumer Reports about a little showdown coming to an end. It’s called Moto Madness Driver’s Choice Challenge and features 32 cars that have been whittled down to just 2 competing for the championship: Chevrolet Corvette Z06 and Porsche Panamera.

It’s now down to consumers (that’s us!) voting. To vote, all you need to do is head over to the Moto Madness Driver’s Choice Challenge, click the red Go To The Bracket button, click on the Porsche Panamera and hit Submit. You don’t have to sign up for anything, give them any info, nothin. Just vote.

Let’s show those Vette owners the power of Porsche!

Vote here: Moto Madness Driver’s Choice Challenge.

It seems there is no shortage of celebrity owned Porsches these days. If a celebrity Porsche is what you’re after, maybe one owned by Sly himself will be just the ticket. It’s currently up for auction on eBay Motors with just over 3 days left to go. Reserve had not yet been met with the auction price sitting at $88,100.

Here are some details from the auction:

So you..re looking for a Panamera 4S and want something a little unique? How about this one, it..s really nicely optioned with 20.. RS Spyder wheels, Sport Chrono, Park Assist with camera, BOSE surround sound system yada yada. Is that not enough, well what if I told you this one was owned by Rocky himself?

Here is a chance to own Sylvester Stallone..s 2010 Panamera 4S. The car was also modified and has the blacked out wheels and chrome trim. It..s also had the brake calipers painted yellow like the PCCB cars.

This Panamera 4S is loaded with standard equipment (see the very thorough list below) and has a bunch or really nice options like seat ventilation front and rear, 20.. RS SPyder Wheels, Bluetooth, iPod interface, power rear window screen, Sport Chrono Package Plus, and Park assist with the rearview camera. I can..t think of anything else you would need or want in a Panamera.

Although I’m not a huge fan of celebrity owned cars, I’m a big Sylvester Stalone fan. Loved the Rocky movies (yes, even the sequels) and the Rambo movies (yes, those sequels too). I saw him in Hollywood one time pulling out of the driveway of a house he was shooting a movie at. He was driving a red Cadillac Allante. Had the top down, waved at us and said “Hey”. As a kid I thought that was pretty cool and it’s stuck in my mind for some reason.

Check out more pictures, including several with Stalone next to the car on the auction page here: Stalone Porsche Panamera.

Today TECHART announced a new kit for the Porsche Panamera. I’m a bit on the fence on the external modifications. For some reason it just feels like there is too much attention drawn to the wheels. They almost seem too big for the car, but maybe that’s just me.

The interior, on the other hand, is a different story. Man O MAN do I love the look of that interior. Reminds me of an Aston Martin a buddy of mine and I took out for a little test drive last year. I love the red stitching, especially the patterns on the seats. You lose a little bit of the sheer class, but it makes it feel so much more like a fast sports car. Again, just my thoughts.

The Carbon Styling Kits are made, of course, of carbon fiber and are offered as part of the TECHART individualization program. On the exterior, the components give the car a bit lower, meaner look with trim pieces in the front, rear and sides. Inside, the sky is the limit with whatever materials suit your desires, but as a starting point, carbon fiber trim is suggested on the dashboard, door panels and center console, among other places.

Overall, an interesting look for the Panamera. Love the black with black wheels, and after looking at the pictures a few more times, maybe it’s just the angle of the image that sets the wheels off.

[Source & Images: TECHART.de]

The press release from TECHART came through a couple of days ago, but it wasn’t until this morning that I really took a close look at the pictures. I’m about 50/50 on liking the stuff that comes out of TECHART these days, but I have to say, I really like this one.

The treatment is called the TECHART GrandGT and it’s designed for the Porsche Panamera. The kit is a package, but I’m sure you can individualize it to your heart’s content. Here are some of the elements included in the package:

Design

• Customized front bumper with integrated splitter and large ventilation intakes
• Improved lighting using an LED system unit in a common housing
• Carbon fiber engine hood with integrated air outlets
• Side skirts and flared fenders
• Rear end matching the front with a larger rear spoiler and distinctive rear apron
• TECHART sporty exhaust system

Performance

• TECHART engine styling package (I hadn’t seen this one previously…interesting)
• Power output boost from 368 kW (493 hp) to 426 kW (571 hp)
• Increased torque from 700 Nm (516 lb ft) to 830 Nm (612 lb ft)
• TECHART wheels available in a number of colors and finishes, as well as various sizes

Interior

• Pretty much whatever you want is available including fabric, stitching and trim accents; wood trim replacements; entertainment options with features like 7 inch screens integrated into the front seat backs; 12V outlets and cupholders for rear passengers; and foldaway tables for use as a mobile work space.

The TECHART GrandGT will be on display November 11 thru 14 at the Zurich Car Show.

I am personally pretty impressed with the styling of the GrandGT. It makes the Porsche Panamera look hulking and mean. It’s funny, TECHART in their press release used the word “masculine” a couple of times. Definitely know what audience these modifications are going after. If Hummer were to customize a Panamera, this is what I’d imagine it to look like.

I like how low to the ground it makes the car look and the added bulk of the kit. I’m also a sucker for fender flairs (I’m sure that comes as a BIG surprise). Now what would be cool is if they added vertical doors to the kit. For a second, I thought they had based on the angle of one of the pictures.

I’m not 100% sold on the engine styling package. I get it for show cars, but I’ve never really understood all the attention to steam cleaning an engine and doing accent modifications to what’s under the hood for the average daily use or even weekend vehicle.

Overall a nice treatment that will surely get the attention of Panamera owners.

Bet you haven’t thought about hitching the old trailer to your brand new Porsche Panamera and taking it on the next family camping trip…have you?

I ran across these pictures on TopSpeed a few days ago. Made me laugh. Especially since the Panamera is pulling a Lotus Exige. I guess I just don’t see the Panamera as a tow vehicle. Seems as wrong as some of the other “Porsche towing stuff” pictures we’ve seen in the past few years.

I’m waiting for some retired Porscheophile to figure out a way to mount a fifth wheel hitch to the roof of a Porsche 928 or something like that to pull his forty footer around.

[Source & Image: TopSpeed.com]