Sorry, a little late in coming this week. Here’s what I found interesting in the Porsche world this last week.
Techart Porsche Cayman Shooting Brake rendering – Not sure where the “Shooting Brake” name came from, but to the right is what Techart envisions a hatchback/hunchback Cayman could look like. The only thing I can think of at the moment is……why?! [Via MotorPulse.com]
Porsche Panamera bests Cadillac’s record at the Nürburgring – It’s being reported that the Panamera beat the Cadillac CTS-V record set just about a year ago on the Nürburgring’s north loop. The Panamera made the loop in just under eight minutes (7 min, 56 sec) giving it the title of fastest production four-door car. Funny, one guy said “And speaking of beating, looks like the Panamera also won the beaten by the ugly stick competition.” One in every crowd, eh. [Via Autoblog.com]
Porsche takeover turmoil continues – Last week was quite the busy week for Porsche from a merger & acquisition standpoint. The Porsche and Piech families met early in the week to discuss a merger. Qatar offered $10 billion for a 25% stake in Porsche Automobil Holding along with options on VW shares currently held by Porsche. Just recently it was reported that VW will acquire ALL of Porsche for $11.28 billion. 49.9% now with the rest coming at a later date. As a result, Porsche’s work force is up in arms and threatening to strike in protest to the merger. They want to stay independent. Sheesh….what a mess. [Via Reuters.com, Business24-7.ae, WashingtonPost.com]
Porsche has nearly 3,000 orders for the Panamera – Still over two months before the car hits showroom floors, buyers are lining up at a decent pace. Christian Dau, a spokesman for Porsche, told reporters that buyers new to the Porsche brand will most likely account for 80 to 85% of the sales of Panameras. That’s an interesting one. Porsche is still planning on selling 20,000 Panameras in the fiscal year starting in August. [Via Bloomberg.com]
Wendelin Wiedeking on his way out??? – Rumors and reports are pointing to his inevitable exit as CEO of Porsche. His current contract runs until 2012, but everyone seems to be saying there won’t be a place for him after some type of merger. The brilliant mind behind the VW takeover is getting ousted because of the debt. Stupid in my opinion. Course it’s not like he’s gonna get thrown out with nothing to show for his time at Porsche. He stands to walk away with at least $141 million. I suppose that will ease some of the pain! [Via CEOWorld.biz]
it looks like a honda civic hatchback… not good.
Hmm, still undecided on the looks of the Panamera. Interior is the best I’ve seen on any Porsche FWIW.
Shooting brake is a term for a 2 door with a wagon back. Usualy a sports car like the volvo p1800 wagon. I belive the term is English.
The aesthetics of this car are lost on me.
I’d like to see one in person just to confirm.
I’m sure it handles and goes like stink but
so do a lot of other cars that look nicer.
i wasn’t sure what it looked like but i agree with mitchell. YUCK
re: Techart Porsche Cayman Shooting Brake rendering
some people use their photoshop skilss for good, some for evil. This is just wrong – looks like they took the rear end of a Mazda 3 H-Back and grafted it on.
Might take me some time to warm up to that Techart Cayman…If at all lol. I love the Cayman, After all its a Boxster with some extra tin and its midengine…But that roofline seems to break things up on that shapely body. More pics maybe? I dont know.
And the Panamera beating the Caddy CTS-V is ..WOW. I am a huge fan of the Caddy CTS and particularly the V, A car that has American made cars reaching world class status…and i`m liking the Panamera more and more, Not particularly for beating the Caddy, Just like its looks a little more as time goes by, ..Beaten with an ugly stick? It was NEVER that…it does take time to appreciate, but ugly, no way never!
Wendelin Weideking….141 million to step down..I`m sure he could contribute a bit more than a dollar or two to my CGT fund! If you are reading sir…please help 🙂
I think it is hot looking
..Oh and the Panamera is expected by Porsche to attract new buyers to the brand to the tune of 80 to 85% of its sales. That i find interesting also. Says to me that Porsche wants expansion and sees more in the growth of Porsche to new markets… and although continuing to provide the purists with models they want, They are not sitting idle and risking going under with pleasing only one demographic.
Its certain they keep the 911 series as exciting as ever and maybe bring another supercar to the market one day, But need the capital of growth to allow that…so don`t hate the Cayenne and Panamera for it 🙂
That is pretty impressive that the Panamera has attracted so much attention and there are thousands of orders. If they do sell 20,000 the first year that would be an incredible boost for the company, especially in this economy.
bmw did the same thing to the z3 a few years ago.just as ugly
It looks just like that ugly as sin BMW M Coupe except with a Porsche clip on the front end. Not really thrilled about that idea.
http://www.cartype.com/pics/3609/full/bmw_m-coupe_side1.jpg
That Cadillac CTS-V did have a good run. I watched a show this last week that had it in there. That is one heckuva nice machine. Although it’s still a Cadillac. The leather is plush and it comes with every creature comfort imaginable yet it does 0-60 faster than than a GT-3 — faster in fact than any other stock Porsche w/ the exception of the 911 turbos and GT-2 I believe, and its base price is less than $60k. I true poor man’s supercar. But alas, it’s still a Cadillac and I’d still rather drive a “slower” Porsche. 🙂
re: Porsche Takeover
To bad that Porsche isn’t an American brand.. They could probably get a buttload of bailout money and be just fine. I hope too that they are able to weather this storm and stay independent, the idea of Porsche being owed by Qatar or VW makes my stomach churn.
I wish I could get canned for $141 Mil. I’m anxious to see how this all unfolds.
Techart = amazing
@ galen, i agree techart is amazing but in my opinion i think somebody didn’t come to work sober the day they designed this car
the CTS-V is nice, but I’m surprised it held the record as long as it did.
Yeah, the Porsche takeover is getting ugly. Hopefully they will pull out of this mess and not create problems for future generations of Porsche lovers. We want the 911 to keep similar lines and still perform exceptionally well.
3000 orders for the Panny doesn’t surprise me, but it will be interesting how it does in it’s 2nd year of production
I think that Panamera in the article looks awesome in white. Sounds also like there may be a boxing match brewing between the Cadillac CTS-V and the Panamera. I bet they take the Caddy back for another try in a stick and better the time…and then Porsche tries to topple that! Fun to see! I love both these cars1