According to Car and Driver Magazine, the automaker is planning a Cayenne S Diesel that will be powered by a V8 engine.  In standard and U.S. form, the SUV gets its motivation from a VW-sourced 3.0 liter V6 with 240 horsepower but the next trim level could see up to 600 lb-ft of torque.  The exact mill to be found under the S’s hood has yet to become official, but currently there is a 4.2 liter diesel V8 with 590 lb-ft of torque from the Audi A8 available.  Of course, Porsche could produce their own version of a hot-rod glow-plug eight with even more output.  As of now, there is no real intention to send the V8 S Diesel to the U.S. and given America’s obnoxiously stringent emissions and crash standards, it’s safe to say that 30 mpg, concrete wrinkling torque and Porsche charm will not find its way on our soil.

Source: Car & Driver

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), all affected cars are 2012 911 Carrera S models.  If manufactured from October 26, 2011 through January 24, 2012, the German sports coupe could be at risk.  The recall and notification to owners is expected to begin sometime in April of this year.  To remedy the issue, certified dealers will inspect and if needed, replace the fuel line with an all-new piece and do so at no extra charge to drivers. 

Source: NHTSA

According to Car and Driver Magazine, a Porsche source made talks about a plug-in version of the hot-rod hybrid four door hitting the market in 2013.  Even though official word has yet to be said on the matter, the car is due for a midcycle face change.  More than likely, the chargeable Panamera would use the same supercharged, Audi-sourced V6 found in the current S Hybrid.  Speculations say that it might make more power than the standard car’s 380 horsepower however, thanks to the battery’s flexible intake as a plug-in. 

Source: Car and Driver

Hermann was not the only inductee to be announced this year. Before the 60th running of the 12 Hours of Sebring this weekend, the American racing legends Geoff Brabham, Denise McCluggage, Johnny O’Connell and Jim Downing were also inducted to the Sebring Hall of Fame.

At this point in time, Porsche is looking into approximately 20,278 utilities.  The recall covers all available models including the base, S, S Hybrid and Turbo.  Each affected Cayenne are either 2011 or 2012 model year vehicles manufactured from March 8, 2011 through January 31, 2012.  According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), notification began February 23 and certified Porsche dealers will remedy the issue by replacing the headlamp locking assembly.  This will take place at no extra charge to owners.

Source: NHTSA

A new member is about to enter the family, and it needed a name as well. Porsche’s new small SUV, once referred to as the Cajun, has been officially named the Macan.

Porsche has chosen the name because it is derived from the Indonesian word for tiger and it combines power, dynamics and suppleness.

As the fifth model in the Porsche lineup, the Macan is expected to push growth and lure new buyers to the Porsche brand. The SUV will begin rolling off the German production lines in Leipzig sometime in 2013.

Bernhard Maier, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing of Porsche AG states that, “The Macan combines all sports car characteristics with the benefits of a SUV and is a genuine Porsche.” He continues with, “The name of a new Porsche has to fit with the brand, sound good in very many languages and dialects and evoke positive associations.”

“We are growing at a tremendous pace,” said Wolfgang Hatz, Porsche’s R&D chief in an interview with Automotive News Europe.  At the end of 2011, Porsche did better than expected sales wise.  A number of 115,000 units is much higher than 2010 and because of that, the company had to hire more throughout the year.  “We hired more than 300 engineers last year over and above replacing people who left as part of normal staff turnover,” said Hatz.  2012 will be a big year for the company with the newly rebuilt 911, its convertible version, the next Cayman and Panamera GTS launching.  In 2013, the 918 Spyder supercar and Cajun SUV will also be released so it only makes sense for the pre-planned hiring. 

Source: AutomotiveNews.com

Last year, both the 911 and Cayenne took home a trophy in their respective categories.  But with its love-it-or-hate-it styling, outlandish power and acceleration and abundant luxury, the 2011 Panamera is easily a ”Head Turner.”  Having the ability to drop jaws is one thing as only vehicles carrying reliability, comfort, and long-lasting quality.  Porsche’s have an odd history of being brutally fast all while being efficient and strong; exactly why the Panamera landed on the list. 

“The Motorist Choice Awards are designed to assist consumers by using a categorization scheme other than traditional vehicle classes. Our research has shown that buyers often shop in more than one vehicle segment based on their needs and uses, rather than simply choosing a segment and then comparing models within it,” said George Peterson, president of AutoPacific.

Source: Porsche

A criminal investigation into Porsche’s former CEO and finance head as well as an investor lawsuit seems to have VW extra cautious.  In a press release issued by VW, they mentioned, “From Volkswagen’s perspective, the continuing legal hurdles mean that it is currently impossible to quantify the economic risks of a merger and therefore to perform the valuation of Porsche SE required to determine the exchange ratio. The main causes of uncertainty are the ongoing proceedings and actions brought against Porsche SE in Germany and the USA for alleged market manipulation.”

Source: AutomotiveNews.com & Volkswagen

The special edition 911 Speedster and GT3 RS 4.0 are the only 2011 model years to be affected by the recall.  All 2012 911s are affected (ALL OF THEM) as well as the 2012 Boxster Spyder and S and the 2012 Cayman S and R.  So far, a total of 235 units are planned to be recalled and Porsche North America will remedy the problem free of charge. 

Source: NHTSA