The engine is a 247bhp, 3.0-litre V6 diesel that channels power to the rear wheels. It’s not a bespoke motor; it is in fact an Audi-derived unit, one you’ll also find under the bonnet of the Cayenne Diesel.
Showing posts with label Porsche. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Porsche. Show all posts
Friday, 9 August 2013
Porsche Panamera Diesel review
The engine is a 247bhp, 3.0-litre V6 diesel that channels power to the rear wheels. It’s not a bespoke motor; it is in fact an Audi-derived unit, one you’ll also find under the bonnet of the Cayenne Diesel.
New Porsche Cayman S review
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Sunday, 24 March 2013
Porsche Cayenne S Diesel review
It dropped below zero last night in Graz, Austria and I am to drive a 377bhp Porsche Cayenne S Diesel on roads glistening with snow half an hour from now.
At last night’s product presentation, Porsche engineers painstakingly explained how the new all-wheel-drive system on this most powerful of diesel Cayennes can send up to 53 percent of its power to the front axles, should you need a bit of help mid-slide, and in the warmth of the conference room, it all sounded rosy. This morning, I’m not so sure – Mother Nature and physics have a way of overwhelming the best engineering on the planet.
In a way, today’s conditions are the perfect way to see how the S Diesel behaves in the conditions it was designed for. See, most Cayenne owners never venture off road; they just like the idea that they could. Conditions like today’s – narrow, slippery roads – are the worst most Cayennes will see.
Under the hood is an Audi-sourced 4.2-litre, twin-turbo diesel V8 that’s pumping out a transmission-twisting 86.6kgm, mated to an eight-speed torque converter automatic. It’s like the engine in the Audi Q7, but Porsche has tweaked it to run higher turbo boost pressure, which is why this one makes approximately 40bhp more than the Audi. There are specially treated pistons to handle the extra load, the exhaust valves are made of a special alloy and the engine’s cooling package has been borrowed from the petrol Cayenne Turbo.
Porsche has even made various mechanical tweaks to the exhaust to make it sound like, in their words, an old American muscle car. While this might be stretching it a bit too far, there is a nice V8 rumble from the pipes under load, if you listen carefully.
So the Cayenne S has the requisite muscle to overcome its not-inconsiderable 2.2-tonne weight and send it rocketing to 100kph in 5.7sec. While the rest of the world sees this big lump of Porsche accelerate unusually quickly, its occupants won’t feel it, and that’s because the Cayenne S Diesel picks up speed like an aircraft would – it feels gradual, even though it is anything but. Porsche has tuned the fuel delivery to ensure acceleration is absolutely linear, with no spikes in power as the two turbochargers kick in. And because it accelerates smoothly and is so planted, you don’t realise how much danger you’re putting your driver’s license in every time you cross 2000rpm. Its point-to-point pace is simply shattering because there’s an abundance of torque everywhere in the rev range. What is a slight chink in its armour is the eight-speed auto. It copes well with the stresses it’s under, but it is not the snappy affair that is a double-clutch gearbox. It isn’t as quick to respond to tugs on the paddles, but it must be said that it shifts smoothly in normal driving conditions.
Hammer it around corners, though, and you’ll still notice quite a bit of dive and body roll, as
2.2 tonnes get thrown around on the optional air-suspension. Still, on these slippery roads, it feels sure-footed, and there’s plenty of traction thanks to Porsche’s clever traction management system that juggles power between the front and rear axles. In addition to this, you can also option Porsche’s torque-vectoring system that distributes torque between the rear wheels. So, while I can feel the car slipping on low-traction surfaces, I can also feel the power being shuffled around to keep me on this narrow strip of road just outside Graz.
And for those who might actually attack hillsides, this Cayenne has differential locks
and a ride-height adjustment system.
Besides this, you can expect what you would of every Cayenne, and that means an especially smooth and refined engine and beautifully built interiors.
We have to head back now, and on Austria’s smooth autobahns, the S seemed absolutely unperturbed by speed, which isn’t surprising – it was designed for it. What is surprising, though, is the slight bobbing over expansion joints, even when it is on the softer of its suspension settings. It’s not a major issue and I’ll admit that I am nitpicking; I’m being forced to – the Porsche Cayenne S Diesel is a quietly impressive car.
The car will be available in India in early 2013 and will be considerably more expensive than the V6 diesel Cayenne.
And while the V6’s performance will be more than enough for most people, the S is just that much quicker and more effortless. If you like a bit of excess, you will most definitely love the Cayenne S.
In a way, today’s conditions are the perfect way to see how the S Diesel behaves in the conditions it was designed for. See, most Cayenne owners never venture off road; they just like the idea that they could. Conditions like today’s – narrow, slippery roads – are the worst most Cayennes will see.
Under the hood is an Audi-sourced 4.2-litre, twin-turbo diesel V8 that’s pumping out a transmission-twisting 86.6kgm, mated to an eight-speed torque converter automatic. It’s like the engine in the Audi Q7, but Porsche has tweaked it to run higher turbo boost pressure, which is why this one makes approximately 40bhp more than the Audi. There are specially treated pistons to handle the extra load, the exhaust valves are made of a special alloy and the engine’s cooling package has been borrowed from the petrol Cayenne Turbo.
Porsche has even made various mechanical tweaks to the exhaust to make it sound like, in their words, an old American muscle car. While this might be stretching it a bit too far, there is a nice V8 rumble from the pipes under load, if you listen carefully.
So the Cayenne S has the requisite muscle to overcome its not-inconsiderable 2.2-tonne weight and send it rocketing to 100kph in 5.7sec. While the rest of the world sees this big lump of Porsche accelerate unusually quickly, its occupants won’t feel it, and that’s because the Cayenne S Diesel picks up speed like an aircraft would – it feels gradual, even though it is anything but. Porsche has tuned the fuel delivery to ensure acceleration is absolutely linear, with no spikes in power as the two turbochargers kick in. And because it accelerates smoothly and is so planted, you don’t realise how much danger you’re putting your driver’s license in every time you cross 2000rpm. Its point-to-point pace is simply shattering because there’s an abundance of torque everywhere in the rev range. What is a slight chink in its armour is the eight-speed auto. It copes well with the stresses it’s under, but it is not the snappy affair that is a double-clutch gearbox. It isn’t as quick to respond to tugs on the paddles, but it must be said that it shifts smoothly in normal driving conditions.
Hammer it around corners, though, and you’ll still notice quite a bit of dive and body roll, as
2.2 tonnes get thrown around on the optional air-suspension. Still, on these slippery roads, it feels sure-footed, and there’s plenty of traction thanks to Porsche’s clever traction management system that juggles power between the front and rear axles. In addition to this, you can also option Porsche’s torque-vectoring system that distributes torque between the rear wheels. So, while I can feel the car slipping on low-traction surfaces, I can also feel the power being shuffled around to keep me on this narrow strip of road just outside Graz.
And for those who might actually attack hillsides, this Cayenne has differential locks
and a ride-height adjustment system.
Besides this, you can expect what you would of every Cayenne, and that means an especially smooth and refined engine and beautifully built interiors.
We have to head back now, and on Austria’s smooth autobahns, the S seemed absolutely unperturbed by speed, which isn’t surprising – it was designed for it. What is surprising, though, is the slight bobbing over expansion joints, even when it is on the softer of its suspension settings. It’s not a major issue and I’ll admit that I am nitpicking; I’m being forced to – the Porsche Cayenne S Diesel is a quietly impressive car.
The car will be available in India in early 2013 and will be considerably more expensive than the V6 diesel Cayenne.
And while the V6’s performance will be more than enough for most people, the S is just that much quicker and more effortless. If you like a bit of excess, you will most definitely love the Cayenne S.
Porsche Panamera Diesel review, test drive
A diesel Porsche sounds like sacrilege, right? But then, a decade-and-a-half ago, so did a Porsche SUV and a Porsche four-door grand tourer. Well, here we are in present day – I’m behind the wheel of the Panamera and it’s got, well, a diesel engine.
The engine is a 247bhp, 3.0-litre V6 diesel that channels power to the rear wheels. It’s not a bespoke motor; it is in fact an Audi-derived unit, one you’ll also find under the bonnet of the Cayenne Diesel. Peak power is 247bhp which, as we found out, is decent if outright performance is not your number one priority. For the record, the Panamera Diesel will do the 0-100kph sprint in a claimed 6.8 seconds, which is still quick by any yardstick, especially for something that is on the wrong side of 1.8 tonnes. Where the Panamera works best, though, is when you want to cover large distances in little time. That’s because you have easy access to the engine’s 56kgm of torque, which is available from 1750-2750rpm. To see what we mean, you need to weigh down on the accelerator pedal at 160kph. It pulls like a locomotive – effortless and strong.
Helping in a huge way here is the responsive eight-speed automatic transmission that is in tune with the movements of your right foot and drops down gears with little hesitation when the need arises. Do note, the diesel Panamera uses a torque-converter box rather than the faster-shifting PDK double-clutch unit that the petrol cars can be had with. The ’box is tuned for efficiency (this is a diesel, after all), so unhurried driving will have the gearbox engage seventh or even eighth gear. But switch to Sport and it will keep the engine in the meat of its powerband, with the soundtrack increasing in volume to a subdued growl. Shifts now happen at 4500rpm and you can use the gearlever’s tiptronic mode or the steering buttons for added control. The pull-push buttons on the steering wheel aren’t that intuitive though.
Saturday, 12 January 2013
Porsche Boxster
Comfort, improved build quality and an increased number of convenience features make the Boxster a compelling choice for sports car enthusiasts. A finely balanced engine lay-out, honed and sharpened performance of a flat-6 engine and a keenly responsive steering makes the Boxster one of the best-selling sports cars on the road. With increased power output and enhanced efficiency at the same time, the Boxster offers a sporty exterior and interior with aesthetically appealing curves. Innovative technology and intelligent lightweight construction gives it an excellent power to weight ratio. The interior of the new Boxster is purposefully designed so as to give out a feeling of freedom because ultimately, independence exudes from within.
Porsche Cayenne
Panamera
The luxury philosophical cars of Porsche are known for their ultimate styling with unmatched performance. All the more admired Porsche Panamera, appears a amazing sensational beauty with its ultimate exterior styling seems to be breathtaking, the design tends to define true power. Finally crafted shape, each and every counter defines strength and athletic grace of this car. The well defined driving machines exhibits distinctive proportions and seamless lines. The Panamera models features four doors and four seats and comes along with sports car technology for four. The Porsche Panamera, offers ultimate comfort and everyday practicality without compromise.
Porsche Cayman
Porsche Cayman Coupe, the mid-engined, rear wheel drive 2-seat sportser is manufactured by the Porsche AG of Germany. The two-door coupe is spawned on the second generation Boxster convertible. The car first saw the light of the day in the year 2006 and as most of the Boxter’s the Caymans are also assembled in Finland for Porsche by Valmet Automotive, the rest are manufactured at Stuggart, Germany. However as Volkswagen took over this German company, that agreement between Porsche and Valmet fell through and now the production of Cayman will be done at Karmann plant in Osnabruck, Germany owned by Volkswagen.
Sunday, 16 September 2012
Porsche Carrera GT
It's not the $440,000 Carrera GT's absurdly fast top speed that awes you-we were aboard yet had no fear as Porsche's test driver clocked 208 mph (with a tailwind) on a Soviet-era military runway in the former East Germany.
It's not this Ferrari Enzo fighter's equally absurd accelerative force, either: Porsche modestly claims a 0-to-62-mph time of 3.9 seconds, but it's probably more like 3.5 seconds.
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