Back in February, Porsche announced the development of three pure-electric prototypes based on the Boxster roadster, but aside from a single photo and the fact that the electric motors could produce up to 180kW/241HP, the Stuttgart-based automaker did not release any other details on the cars.

After the demonstration of the Boxster E at last week’s Michelin Challenge Bibendum in Berlin, the company decided to share more information on the test cars that are being used as part of the government-funded “Model Region Electro-Mobility Stuttgart” large-scale trial to study the everyday practicality of all-electric vehicles. Of the three Boxster E prototypes, two are rear-wheel drive and one is all-wheel drive.

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You would think that the owner of an über rare and outrageously expensive supercar like the Porsche Carrera GT would be extra careful when it comes to transporting the exotic model. Well, you may want to reconsider that thought after watching the video after the jump. And yes, they actually used a pair of unchained wooden planks to load the Carrera GT onto the truck’s flatbed with a damaging result for the car as well as the owner’s pockets. Hellooo, is common sense out there, anywhere? Read more »

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when the tire blew out, it struck the fender so hard it popped the airbags, now that Porshe owner has a problem

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Porsche decided to keep the production version of the 918 Spyder under wraps for now showing off instead the motorsport-inspired 918 RSR Coupe Concept at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show. Combining hybrid racing technology with a dramatic looking coupe body style, the RSR is every bit as impressive as the design study showcased last year at Geneva. For its motivation, the 918 RSR relies on a V8 gasoline engine delivering 563HP and a pair of electric motors producing a combined output of 204HP. Check out our gallery with live pictures from the Detroit show after the break or click here for more details on Porsche's conceptual racer.

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Porsche has chosen the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show to unveil its finest version yet of the Cayman sports coupe. The new Cayman R is a stripped-out, lighter and more powerful variant of the mid-engined 'S' model. Porsche says that in its special alphabet, the letter 'R' is for "responsive and refined – but most especially for racy."

Stuttgart's team of engineers started off by eliminating any unnecessary items for purists such as the air conditioning, audio system and complex door handles -owners will have to do with simple door pulls on this German baby. Porsche says more savings were achieved through the use of lightweight components including the carbon fiber bucket seats and the lightest 19 inch wheels offered by the company weighing in at less than 40kg / 80 lbs.

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Few would call the new Porsche Panamera Turbo a slouch in the horsepower department, but if you happen to be one them, you may want to take a look at the new performance enhancement program from APS, the UK importer of the Swiss tuning firm Sportec.

Buyers can start off with the Stage One conversion that uses a reprogrammed ECU with optimized settings for fueling, ignition and turbo boost parameters to bump the V8's output from a quoted 493bhp and 516 lb-ft, to a dyno proven 560bhp at 6,150 rpm and 576 lb-ft (790 Nm) of torque at 3,340 rpm.

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The tuners over at APS of Brackley, which is the UK importer for the Swiss company Sportec, have unveiled a new performance kit for the 'facelifted' version of the 911 Turbo. In standard form, the 997 Turbo's six-cylinder, 3.8-liter boxer engine delivers 493 bhp.

By reconfiguring the ECU and adding a sport air-filter and a stainless steel sports exhaust system with high flow catalytic converters and two 70mm twin-tailpipes, Sportec managed to boost output to 580 bhp at 6,500 rpm. Peak torque hits 800 Nm (590 lb.ft) at 3,500 rpm with more than 700 Nm (516 lb.ft) available from 2,700 to 5,500 rpm.

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Porsche is offering (at least in Europe) buyers a new choice of individualization options for the Boxster roadster and Cayman coupe with the release of two equipment (Comfort and Infotainment) and two design packages (Design and Design Sport) that add a host of bits and bobbles to the two cars.

Starting with the Comfort Package, it includes climate control, bi-xenon headlights with dynamic cornering lights, cruise control, rain sensor and an embossed Porsche crest on the headrests. The package also adds a wind-deflector on the Boxster and Boxster S models.

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Michael "Blow it all up" Bay has put the word out there: the 458 Italia is going to be representing Ferrari (and the Autobots) in the third Transformers movie, set to be released July 1st, 2011. Bay made the announcement while attending a Ferrari fundraiser at which the red-blooded Italian marque was raising funds to build a hospital in Haiti.

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J.D. Power & Associates' latest vehicle dependability study says most cars are getting better. In fact, J.D. Power tests showed that 25 of 36 brands (69%) improved their long-term durability. Reported problems decreased from an industry average of 167 per 100 vehicles last year to the current 155 (+7% in reliability).

The study, which measures problems experienced by original owners of three-year-old (2007 model year) vehicles, said that Porsche was the highest-ranking brand with 110 problems per 100 vehicles followed by Lincoln (114 problems) and Buick (115 problems).

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Porsche is continuing to work hard on the development of its next-generation 911 sports car that carries the internal code name '991'. Filmed here during cold weather testing in Sweden, the new 911 will be offered in both coupe and convertible forms and with a variety of powertrains.

The spy video (and scoop shots) suggest that the 2012 model year (for North American markets) 911 will be slightly longer and wider but with a lower roofline than the current model. And even though Porsche insiders insist that almost every body panel will be new, well, it's a 911 so don't expect to see something drastically different in terms of styling.

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Russia's newly formed high society will soon be able to turn to one of its own tuners to make their Porsche Panamera stand out from the crowd as TopCar has officially revealed its Stingray program for Stuttgart's four-door sports saloon.

Developed in cooperation with domestic tuner Cardi (bodykit design) and Germany's 9ff (performance upgrades and build), TopCar's Panamera Stingray comes with a full bodykit made from carboxylic fiber that includes newly designed front and rear bumpers, side skirts, rear diffuser, new bonnet and a twin rear spoiler.

The sport saloon's exterior looks are rounded off with a new set of 21-inch multispoke alloy wheels.

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Bad news for people with eyes or small children: Porsche is apparently looking to make a drop-top of its humpback Panamera saloon. Usually that wouldn't be terrible, except for the fact that Stuttgart seems intent on retaining the car's four doors.

Before anyone starts screaming structural bloody murder, technically it IS possible.

According to Autocar, "Advances in high-strength steel and tailored blanks (sections of steel in varying thicknesses) have reduced costs to a point where they are now being considered as part of new-model plans by many car makers."

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[Updated Photo Gallery] Porsche just released a new, mid-engined conceptual bomb on the EPA via Geneva. The 918 Spyder, a plug-in concept with claimed emissions of 70g CO2/km, is said to provide the Marty McFly's kids with a fuel economy of 78 mpg US (3L / 100 km) while lapping the 'Ring in 7:30, hitting 100km/h in 3.2 seconds, and peaking at 320 km/h (198 mph). That's supposed to get you hooked.

Its engine is a 9,200 RPM-reaching, 500-horse out-putting, 3.4 liter-displacing V8 which is electro-enhanced by way of motors that supposedly add another 160 kW (218 hp).

All-wheel-power hits the ground via a 7-speed PDK, energy is stored in a liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery behind the passenger, the brakes are regenerative, and the carbon-fiberized plastic body panels keep weight around 1,490 kilos (3,285 lbs). But you say you want variety?

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The VW Group threw a special party in Geneva for all its automotive brands the night before the opening of the Swiss international motor show. Those that attended the event had the chance to check out some of the many debuts planned for the Geneva Salon that runs for the public from March 4 to 14.

Among the cars on show were Porsche's 918 Spyder Concept, Bentley's Continental Supersports Cabrio, the Seat IBE Coupe concept, Skoda's Fabia RS, the Audi A1, Lamborghini Gallardo SV, VW's Sharan MPV and Amarok pickup truck and the Bugatti 16C Galibier that's pegged to enter production in the near future. Hit the break to for the complete photo gallery.

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German tuner SpeedART will be showing off (in Geneva, where else?) a kit for the current facelifted 911 Turbo. That's the one with the 3.8 liter boxer which somehow finds a way to drop 500 horsepower of wrath on Planet Earth's tarmac.

SpeedART's kit is the second generation of their Bi-Turbo Racer (hence the BTR-II nomenclature), it makes 650-horsepower, and it plays host to an Evolution body kit (that would be the EVO).

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It's one of the cars representing German tuner Techart in Geneva this year: the Concept One, a Porsche Panamera meant to showcase the firm's "second individualization level". And individual it is.

We'll start with the "unusual" interior, which is where this car really shines (although most will probably disagree): cocoa over white with "Phosphor" green stitching and detailing accented by tasty Cerbero trim - which must be the gator-skin stuff - on the dash, consoles, and seats.

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[Updated with High-Res Photos and Additional Info] Breaking news: after more leaks than the Titanic, Porsche came out of hiding and released official photos and initial specs on its redesigned SUV model that will have its first public outing at next week's Geneva Motor Show..

The verdict is still out on the new Cayenne's styling, but from what we can tell by these images, the next generation of Porsche's most profitable model looks less clumsy and a bit more sleeker than its predecessor thanks to a lowered roofline, steeper angle of the rear tailgate and sharper looking snout.

Then again there's that awkwardly styled rear end that could be mistaken for any other SUV - Crossover model - you didn't hear the word "Nissan" from us...

The interior has been redesigned from the ground up with the dashboard and center and lower consoles looking very similar to the Panamera sports sedan.

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Adding to the suspense surrounding the reveal of the new 2011 Porsche Cayenne, the folks from "Lemagauto" sent us these two photos of the SUV model supposedly scanned from Thursday's edition of French car magazine, "L'Auto Journal". We can't validate their authenticity, but the Cayennes featured appear to be in line with the prototype models we've seen in numerous scoop photographs over the past few months.

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By now, you already know what the new Porsche Panamera looks like. Even if you haven't had the chance to see Stuttgart's sports saloon in person, you've seen hundreds of photos and plenty of videos of the V8-powered "S" and "Turbo" variants.

So, what's the first thing you'd be interested in a video showing the new entry-level model (details and pictures here) with the VW Group-sourced 300HP 3.0-liter V6 gasoline engine? Apparently, the answer to that question is what the V6 sounds like. Well, guess what's missing from Porsche's promo film after the jump?

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