A Gift For The New Year From Porsche

Carrera GT - P03. Image Credit Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG

A Gift For The New Year From Porsche

If you are traveling through Germany this next year, you may want to take a side trip on over to Stuttgart.

Ok, so you were planning to go there anyway because as any automobile-file knows, that is the “mecca” of Porsche sport cars … where they are made, but there is even a bigger reason to make the trek!

Porsche will be placing on display their over sixty years of automobile innovation history in a purpose built museum, the Porscheplatz, due for its debut at the end of this first month of 2009.

New Porsche Museum to be opened on 31 January 2009. Image Credit Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG

This excerpted and edited from press releases displayed at Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG website -

New Porsche Museum to be opened on 31 January 2009

Stuttgart. In the new Porsche Museum the final preparations are made for the opening on Saturday 31 January 2009.

At last, now that the scaffolding has been removed, it is possible to see to the full extent the bold architecture of the building at the head office premises of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG in Zuffenhausen:

The 5,600 square metres of exhibition space are supported on just three so-called cores of reinforced concrete – hence just seeming to hover in space. Inside the building the majority of approximately 80 exhibits are already in place.

Model range showing the 911 Turbo Cabriolet, the Cayman S, the Boxster and the Cayenne GTS (2008). Image Credit Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG

In the other areas of the new building – amongst them the museum workshops, the museum shop, the Porsche archive, an exclusive restaurant, a bistro and the capacious event areas – a team of experts are busy putting the finishing touches.

Three days after the ceremonial opening, which takes place on Wednesday the 28 January 2009, the doors of the new Porsche Museum will be flung open to welcome the first visitors. On a daily basis, apart from Mondays, the exhibition can be viewed for an admission price of eight Euros (reduced price: four Euros). Children up to the age of 14 get free admission when accompanied by an adult.

Building the engine into a Porsche 356 B (1960). Image Credit Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG

The restaurant on the second floor – which has both a view through the glass facade onto the Porscheplatz as well as through the glass partition into the exhibition itself – has its own separate entrance and is also open at hours different from those of the museum itself.

Porsche tractor Standard from c.1961. Image Credit Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG

With the new museum and its range of catering facilities additional capacity for conferences, company and private events in exceptional surroundings will come into being. We have already received hosts of inquiries.

Interested parties can get more detailed information from the internet on www.porsche.com/museum.

The following contacts are available for inquiries:

Group bookings and special guided tours:
Tel.: 0049 711 911 20911
Fax: 0049 711 911 20356
E-Mail: info.museum@porsche.de

Event inquiries:
Tel.: 0049 711 911 21911
Fax: 0049 711 911 21356
E-Mail: events.museum@porsche.de
Reference Here>>

Photos showing 60 year history of Porsche - HERE

A 4 Door Porsche … That’s Right, FOUR Doors!

The Porsche Panamera Gran Turismo, at your service. Image Credit: presse.prosche.de

A 4 Door Porsche … That’s Right, FOUR Doors!

Last year at the Long Beach Grand Prix of 2008, I thought I had seen it all.

Team Minardi USA, running in it’s first year as a ChampCar team (and as it turned out, only year), was a team that brought with it an “E” ticket sponsor promotion – The Minardi F1x2. This was an open-wheel race chassis specially modified with two seats.

The idea being that well-heeled fans and sponsors would love to take a spin at racing speeds on the track of a ChampCar racing venue and be willing to pay $10,000 for the pleasure of signing their life away to ride in an elevated rearseat behind a qualified open-wheel race driver.

A Minardi F1x2 two-seater zipping along at speed during the Las Vegas Grand Prix in 2007. Image Credit: f1minardi.free.fr

This excerpted and edited from minardif1x2.com -

The acceleration, the cornering speeds, the braking forces, the scream of a racing engine being unleashed, the blur of speed – once, only the world’s top professional drivers could experience the reality of the ultimate, four-wheeled competition machine. Now, courtesy of the Minardi F1x2 two-seater programme, the thrill of experiencing Formula One performance first-hand is a possibility for a much wider audience.

Whether you’re an individual or a member of a corporate group, you are guaranteed the ride of a lifetime once you are strapped into one of the Minardi F1x2 Team’s fleet of eight, purpose-built, two-seater Grand Prix cars. From the moment the 700hp-plus V10 engine explodes into life, your driver selects first gear on the steering wheel-mounted paddle shifter, and your car rolls out of the garage and down the pit lane, you know this is going to be a very special experience and a very special day.
Reference Here>>

Honestly, the process was quite something to witness – the faces of the second seat passenger after the ride looked similar to a fixed smile carved into a pumpkin.

Well, our automobile manufacturing friends in Germany are planning a production car where several people can share in a community experience of coursing down a winding road at G-Force speeds and disgorge themselves from the car with the same carved smile expression affixed to their faces.

Expected to be introduced to the world in Spring 2009 and placed into production for sale by the Summer 2009 is the four door, four-seater Porsche … the Porshe Panamera Gran Turismo.

That’s right, a four door Porsche!

The Porsche Panamera Gran Turismo - rear view. Image Credit: presse.prosche.de

This excerpted and edited from Porsche.de website (registration required) –

Porsche Presents First Photos of Four-Door Panamera Gran Turismo
PRESS RELEASE – Release Date: 24/11/2008 - Stuttgart

Roughly nine months before the actual market launch, Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, has released the first official photos of the Panamera in its final look. In its design, profile and silhouette, Porsche’s unique four-seater stands out clearly as a new member of the Porsche family. Conceived and designed as a four-door grand touring sports car, the Panamera combines numerous talents in typical Porsche style: sporting driving dynamics, a generous and variable interior, and the supreme driving comfort of a Gran Turismo. Joining the 911, Boxster and Cayman sports cars as well as the sporty SUV Cayenne, the Panamera is Porsche’s fourth model series.
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Through its design language alone, the Panamera will establish a new segment versus the competition. The symbiosis of sports car DNA derived from the looks of a coupé, the unique interpretation of the classical saloon body and the benefits of a variable space concept give the new Porsche its truly unmistakable appearance. As an example, the Panamera comes with highly individual, strongly contoured air intakes instead of a conventional radiator grille. Striking wheel arches and the long and sleek engine compartment lid create that typical 911 “landscape” at the front end of the car the Porsche customer has appreciated for no less than 45 years, with the distinctly contoured wings as flanks bordering on the flat front lid. The V-shaped seams along the engine compartment lid and the rear window tapering out like an arrow to the rear convey the features characteristic of a sports car to the new, highly individual Panamera class. The striking, muscular shoulders over the rear wheels, the dynamic sweep of the coupé-like roofline, and the visible tailpipes again bear out all the DNA so typical of a thoroughbred Porsche.
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Thanks to the new concept of space and the sporting architecture of the interior, the car’s occupants are also able to experience this special “pilot feeling” on all four seats. All four occupants enjoy supreme ergonomic comfort on both the front seats and the two firmly contoured single seats at the rear. The luggage compartment easily takes up all the passengers’ luggage. The variable space concept with its folding rear seat backrests enables the driver and passengers to adjust the luggage space individually to their personal requirements. And last but not least, the coupé tailgate in the sporting rear end combines superior suitability for daily use with stylish elegance.

Porsche has developed superior and up-to-date power units for the Panamera again reflecting all the qualities typical of the brand – the V-engines within the engine compartment come with six and eight cylinders and range in power from 300 to 500 bhp. Some of the engines use turbocharger technology, Direct Fuel Injection making them both fuel-efficient and powerful all in one. The flow of power to the wheels goes either through a manual six-speed gearbox or the new seven-speed Double-Clutch Gearbox, the so called Porsche-Doppelkupplung (PDK).

In addition to sporting rear-wheel drive, the top version of the Panamera comes with even more sophisticated all-wheel drive, which is also available for the other versions as an option.
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The Porsche Panamera will be built at Porsche’s Leipzig Plant.
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Hence, the Panamera is most definitely a car “Made in Germany”.
Reference Here>>

... notes from The EDJE

L.A. Auto Show – Hyundai Showcases “Hyundai Blue Drive”

Hyundai HED-5 "i-Mode" Concept Makes North American Debut at Los Angeles Auto Show with new Eco-friendly Powertrain. Image Credit: Hyundai Motor Company

Los Angeles Auto Show – Hyundai Showcases “Hyundai Blue Drive”

Hyundai featured its proprietary fuel cell technology at the Los Angeles Auto Show today, highlighting its Tucson Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) as part of the company’s “Hyundai Blue Drive” sustainability effort. The Tucson FCEV recently celebrated the successful completion of a 13-day, cross-country road trip which served as the first significant U.S. test for the Hyundai-developed fuel cell stack.

Image Credit: Hyundai Motor Company

The nearly 4,300 mile event, called the Hydrogen Road Tour 2008, featured nine auto manufacturers and was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, the California Fuel Cell Partnership, National Hydrogen Association and U.S. Department of Transportation.

Image Credit: Hyundai Motor Company

The Tucson FCEV exceeded expectations throughout the event, demonstrating again that zero-emission vehicles can operate in real-world driving conditions. The vehicle recorded exceptional range of 185 miles per refueling, and achieved top speeds of 95 mph.

Image Credit: Hyundai Motor Company

Hyundai revealed plans for its first U.S. market gas-electric full hybrid (to be offered in the next-generation Sonata), introduced a sleek crossover concept powered by a turbocharged gasoline direct injection (GDI) engine, and announced future high-mileage editions of the Accent and Elantra.

Hyundai announced the launch of Blue Drive, an environmental initiative which will bring to market a family of eco-friendly Blue Drive products.

Image Credit: Hyundai Motor Company

With Blue Drive products and technologies, Hyundai will be able to achieve a fleet average of 35 miles per gallon by 2015, five years ahead of government requirements.

Available photo material includes still images of Hyundai Blue Drive Chassis, Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle and HED-5 i-Mode unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

… notes from The EDJE

The L.A. Auto Show – Porsche Cayman S Unveiled

Porsche presents the second generation of the mid-engine Cayman S sports car for the first time at the L.A. Auto Show. The new model features the new flat-six boxer engine, which provide more power and greater fuel efficiency than the predecessor. The vehicle also features the Porsche-PDK, the new double-clutch gearbox. Available video includes driving footage as well as exterior and interior shots of the Cayman S series Porsche.

... notes from The EDJE

A Taste Of "INDY" While Traveling

The Indy 500 Grill at the Indianapolis International Airport features a motif with all of the color, tradition and pageantry of "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing." Image Credit: Ron McQueeney

A Taste Of "INDY" While Traveling

Ever wish to immerse yourself in Indianapolis Speedway lore and connect with the IRL while having a bite to eat?

Now anyone can … if they happen to passing through the international airport at Indianapolis, Indiana.

The INDY 500 Grill has just opened with a companion store next door where once one has had a pitstop and had their fill (up), one can purchase Indianapolis Speedway gear at Brickyard Authentics.

Indy 500 Grill and Brickyard Authentics storefronts. Image Credit: Ron McQueeney

This excerpted and edited from Indianapolis Motor Speedway –

Indy 500 Grill Opens At New Indianapolis International Airport
Brickyard Authentics Location Next Door
By Eric Powell - indianapolismotorspeedway.com - Thursday, November 13, 2008

The Indy 500 Grill combines a full, eclectic menu offering a variety of appetizers, soups, small plate items, salads, burgers, entrees and desserts in an atmosphere featuring the history, pageantry and excitement of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race.

Indy 500 Grill interior booth seating. Image Credit: Ron McQueeney

"The new Indianapolis airport terminal is the gateway to Indianapolis for millions of travelers, all of whom know about this great city because of the worldwide popularity and 97-year history of the Indianapolis 500," said Joie Chitwood, Indianapolis Motor Speedway president and chief operating officer. "The Indy 500 Grill celebrates the rich tradition of 'The Greatest Spectacle in Racing' as IMS begins its Centennial Era, and the restaurant will be one of the focal points of the exciting, state-of-the-art terminal."
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The restaurant and bar décor includes scores of photographs highlighting drivers from the Indianapolis 500's storied past and its current stars.

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway's Scoring Pylon replica sits out front of the Indy 500 Grill to welcome guests. Image Credit: Ron McQueeney

A replica of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's iconic Scoring Pylon displays the top-five finishers from 1977 - the year A.J. Foyt won his record fourth Indianapolis 500, and the floor features familiar car numbers of Indy 500 champions, including Foyt, Bill Vukovich and Jim Clark. The Speedway's Brickyard Authentics retail store has been a mainstay at the Indianapolis airport for many years, and passengers and diners have easy access to the store in the new airport as it moves next door to the restaurant.

Brickyard Authentics souvenir shop interior. Image Credit: Ron McQueeney

The Brickyard Authentics airport location stocks apparel and collectibles for the Speedway's Centennial Era and its events, including the Indianapolis 500, Allstate 400 at the Brickyard and Red Bull Indianapolis GP, providing the perfect opportunity for travelers to purchase souvenirs.
Reference Here>>

So take some time to take in a pitstop, sip down some coolant, and add to your sparetire while passing through the new Indianapolis International Airport midfield terminal.

... notes from The EDJE

Aussie’s Power & Briscoe In Spotlight At Surfers Paradise

Will Power (KV Racing Technology): Saturday qualifyingImage Credit: Chris Von Wieldt

Aussie’s Power & Briscoe In Spotlight At Surfers Paradise

In the final race of the 2008 IndyCar season, with the championship already determined, Surfers Paradise Australia saw a tale of two native sons play out in a way that summed up a most unique season.

The 2008 IndyCar Series brought with it the drama of a host of new drivers and teams when back in late February it was announced that the two open wheel racing series that have the majority of their races and management in North America would merge into one competitive series.

One racing series (IndyCar) raced primarily on closed circuit, oval shaped, banked venues in the United States, the other (ChampCar) held the vast majority of their races on temporary and closed course street, airport, and road locations - internationally. With the merge, it was hoped that one series that featured a blend of both types of challenges for the drivers and teams would make for a better product … and for the most part, it is.

Take the last race of the season as an example of both the competitive aspects and the frustration of a merge when two native sons, Will Power of KV Racing Technology and Ryan Briscoe of Penske Racing squared off for the win at Surfers Paradise along the Gold Coast region in eastern Australia.

In the days leading up to the race held last night, North America time (mid-day Sunday in Australia) Will Power dominated the time trials during the warm-up sessions and captured the lead starting position in qualifying – a position he has captured twice before during the previous ChampCar races held at this venue.

But while Power has been unbeatable in qualifying at Surfers, his luck on race day has been abysmal, with collisions spoiling his races in every home appearance so far. A lapped 12th place in 2006 was his best Surfers finish to date.

"I've been in this position three years in a row, so we have to get it done," said Power

"I can't believe I have another pole start here. But, it's only the pole and the goal is to win the race on Sunday.

To win, Power would have to run a mistake-free race with New Zealander and 2008 ICS Champion Scott Dixon of Target Chip Ganassi Racing and Australian Ryan Briscoe of Marlborough Penske Racing.

Podium: race winner Ryan Briscoe, second place Scott Dixon, third place Ryan Hunter-Reay - Surfers Paradise, 2008-10-26 (Streets of Surfers Paradise): Image Credit: Chris Von Wieldt

This excerpted and edited from autosport.com -

Briscoe takes home victory at Surfers
By Matt Beer Sunday, October 26th 2008, 04:26 GMT

Ryan Briscoe fended off Scott Dixon to take a home win at Surfers Paradise, after Will Power crashed out of the lead having dominated most of the weekend.

For the third year in a row, Power's race ended in an accident after he had taken a commanding pole. But unlike his previous Surfers disappointments, this time Power's incident was a solo mistake rather than a collision.

The KV driver's crash on lap 16 left Briscoe (Penske) leading from Dixon (Ganassi), where he would remain until the flag.

Power immediately opened a four-second advantage at the start, as Dixon had to back off and hand second to Briscoe having cut the first chicane to hold the position on the opening lap.

An early yellow for a crash by Dale Coyne Racing's Mario Moraes, who had already tangled with Vitor Meira (Foyt) at the start, brought Briscoe and Dixon back onto Power's tail, but the Australian had little trouble pulling away again at the restart.

Although Briscoe began chipping away at his lead, Power was still two seconds in front when he misjudged the Turn 5/6 chicane on lap 16 and smashed his left-front suspension on the wall.

"I just clipped the inside wall," said Power. "Just a very bad mistake, very unfortunate. We were saving heaps of fuel, I wasn't pushing hard and it just caught me out."
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Briscoe and Dixon dominated the second half of the race, with the Penske driver able to hold a steady two-second advantage over the current champion.

That gap was reduced to almost nothing with five laps to go, when Briscoe was badly held up lapping Patrick, but the Australian was able to resist huge pressure from Dixon and claim his third win of the year.

"What a way to finish the year and kick off 2009," said Briscoe. "It's a dream to win in my home country."
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Newman/Haas/Lanigan's Justin Wilson, who had been a match for Power in practice, was forced to start at the back following pre-race gearbox problems. He carved through the field early on - making up 11 places in six laps - but would drop right out of contention after a tangle with Bruno Junqueira at a restart.
Reference Here>>

So, how did the Transition Teams and Drivers fare in this final race of the inaugural merged IndyCar open wheel racing series?

Pos Driver Team Time
4. Alex Tagliani Conquest + 19.9844
5. Oriol Servia KV + 20.4376
6. EJ Viso HVM + 33.7249
9. Graham Rahal Newman/Haas/Lanigan + 1:20.0592
11. Justin Wilson Newman/Haas/Lanigan + 1:31.9353
15. Bruno Junqueira Dale Coyne + 1 lap
19. Jaime Camara Conquest + 2 laps

Retirements:

Driver Team Laps
Will Power KV 16
Mario Moraes Dale Coyne 7

... notes from The EDJE

Tracy – Open Wheel’s Loss Is Truck Series’ Gain

Paul Tracy at a news conference before the IndyCar Series race in Edmonton, Alberta Canada. Tracy was able to place fourth overall, just missing the podium in his only race in a IndyCar Dallara in 2008. Image Credit: Shawn Payne - ICS

Tracy – Open Wheel’s Loss Is Truck Series’ Gain

Motorsports racing champion and Canadian Paul Tracy will be racing in the Craftsman Truck Series when he is set to drive for Germain Racing in the No. 9 Toyota Tundra after successfully testing with the team back in May at Chicagoland Speedway.

2008 saw many good drivers become shuffled out of competition in the major open wheel racing series as it became unified when ChampCar and IndyCar racing series merged. Many drivers ended up scattered about with some remaining here in North America to race in the American Le Mans Series, while others found rides in Europe in other specialized promotional racing series.

Tracy was left on the sidelines, with “one-of” outings at Long Beach for Forsythe and Edmonton for IndyCar Series President and Vision Racing Team owner, Tony George - his only appearances of the 2008 racing season … where he had competitive showings.

Paul Tracy will get behind the wheel of his NASCAR Series Toyota Tundra in Texas next week.

Paul Tracy in the Vision Racing Dallara #22 taking laps at Edmonton. Image Credit: Covey Moore

This excerpted and edited from autosport.com -

Tracy to race in Truck Series
By Diego Mejia Thursday, October 23rd 2008, 16:08 GMT

Former Champ Car champion Paul Tracy is set to return to NASCAR by making his Craftsman Truck Series debut next week at Texas Motor Speedway.
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Tracy's teammates for the weekend will be title contender and 2006 Truck Series champion Todd Bodine and rookie Justin Marks.

"Germain Racing is a championship organization, and I'm excited to be behind the wheel of the Bombardier Learjet/Sport Clips Toyota Tundra in Texas," said Tracy.

"Todd and I are good friends, and I'm looking forward to helping him and the Germain Racing team win the race in Texas and gain spots in the point standings. I appreciate them giving me the opportunity, and I will do whatever I can to support their effort at Texas."

Tracy made his NASCAR debut in 2006 when he ran six races for two different teams in the Nationwide Series. His best result came in the season opener at Daytona International Speedway, where he finished 24th.

At the time, he was looking into making a permanent switch to NASCAR, but ultimately decided to sign a long-term Champ Car deal with Forsythe Racing instead, having struggled to find a competitive Cup seat.
Reference Here>>