DRIVEN TO DRIVE

Posts Tagged ‘Porsche’

It wasn’t as warm as two weeks ago, due in part to a bit of bite in the wind, but at least the sun was shining which provided some psychological warmth.

This was the second Introductory Driving School hosted by the Porsche Club. Unfortunately, I could not stay all day.
Click HERE or Click on the Image above.

Unlike previous years when the instructors braved the last remnants of winter weather while the student drivers awaited their turn seated in nice warm cars, this year’s first Porsche Club Introductory Driving School (IDS) coughed up a pleasant surprise.  Along with a mild winter, came an equally unseasonal warm spring.  The ever popular IDS takes place twice a year at the Driver Development Track at Mosport, and I heard murmurs of perhaps a third school next spring.  Regardless, these schools provide new and experienced drivers alike, and opportunity to experience the dynamics of their vehicles at relatively calm speeds, in a controlled environment with one-on-one guidance from qualified instructors.

Here are some of the pictures I took at the event on Saturday. Enjoy!

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On Saturday (November 19 2011) evening at the Porsche Club banquet celebrating the Club’s 35 anniversary, I had the privilege of listening to Lorraine Sommerfeld, columnist for the Toronto Star, tell how she met Aaron Prevost, a blind auto mechanic who loved cars. Lorraine arranged for Aaron to meet Rick Bye, Porsche’s fleet manager and an accomplished race car driver, the idea being that Rick would drive Aaron around Mosport so he could experience the thrill of being on a race track. It seems things escalated and Aaron got drive a Porsche around Mosport for five laps. Here is an in-car video.

Aaron at Mosport from Rick Bye on Vimeo.

Stuttgart – Electric drive will take on an increasingly important role in the further enhancement of Porsche Intelligent Performance. To combine greater efficiency with even lower fuel consumption and emissions, Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, is working consistently not only on the ongoing development of hybrid concepts already in regular production, but also on practical tests as part of the Stuttgart Model Region for Electromobility, using three research cars with all-electric drive based on the Porsche Boxster.

In the test process, these three electric Boxsters are to provide an initial first important insight into new electric drive components and battery systems for all-electric vehicle drive. This field test intended to also provide further findings on the infrastructure required for electromobility, user behaviour and the demands made of future products, is to start in early 2011.

Michael Macht, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Porsche AG, sees this contribution made by Porsche as absolutely essential: “We will definitely be offering an electric sports car in future. But such a concept only makes sense if it offers product qualities typical of a Porsche.”

Porsche has been committed to electric mobility for a long time, thus helping to preserve the environment and save resources in our world: The spectacular concept study of the 918 Spyder high-performance mid-engined sports car with plug-in hybrid combines high-tech breakthroughs in engine technology and electromobility with a truly fascinating range of further qualities. Emissions otherwise to be found only on a super-mini of just 70 g/km CO2 with three litres fuel consumption for 100 kilometres in the NEDC (equal to 94.1 mpg imp), come with the performance of a super sportscar developing well over 600 horsepower.

The hybrid system of the 911 GT3 R Hybrid has been developed especially for racing, with two 60 kW (82 hp) electric motors on the front axle boosting the 480 hp six-cylinder power unit fitted at the rear. Replacing conventional batteries there is an electrical flywheel power storage system re-charged whenever the driver applies the brakes and thus delivering energy to the electric motors. The 911 GT3 R Hybrid has already proven its racing qualities in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring.

Introducing the Cayenne S Hybrid, Porsche also offers the first production car in the range able to run under electric power alone. With maximum output of 380 hp, the Cayenne S Hybrid makes do in the NEDC cycle with just 8.2 ltr/100 km (equal to 34.5 mpg imp), and CO2 emissions reduced to a mere 193 g/km. This hybrid technology will also be featured in the future Panamera S Hybrid due to enter the market next year.

Stuttgart. Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, is introducing a new top version of the Porsche Boxster, a light mid-engined roadster making its world debut at the Los Angeles Motor Show in December. Read the rest of this entry »