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2014 Porsche Panamera 4S Executive

If the idea of a Porsche sedan (or, long hatchback) is still off-putting to you, then you might want to look away now. For 2014, the polarizing Panamera has received a midcycle refresh bringing slightly different styling, as well as adding two new models to the lineup, the S E-Hybrid and the stretched-wheelbase Executive. Having focused most of my recent trip to Germany on a First Drive of the intriguing plug-in Panamera, I also got to spend some time with the roomier Executive model.
Offered in both 4S and Turbo guise, the Panamera Executive has been stretched by almost six inches for the sole purpose of improving rear passenger space. Although it's hard to imagine anyone would willingly buy a Porsche and opt to sit in the back seat, I'd have to say that if I'm going to be chauffeured around in a car, why not make it a Porsche? For the most part, though, I'm guessing that many Panamera Executive sedans will be owned by people who want to one-up their buddy driving a stretched BMW 7 Series or Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
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New info on how VW, Porsche, Audi V6 TDI engine cheat works

The German newspaper Bild am Sonntag is reporting that US investigators have found three pieces of software that work in concert to turn off the emissions control equipment in certain diesel models after a set period of time. The engine in question, the 3.0-liter TDI turbodiesel, was found in certain Volkswagen Touareg, Audi Q7, and Porsche Cayenne models – the sale of which was suspended in the US late last year. Since most emissions compliance testing takes around 20 minutes, the software in the three VW Group models shuts off the emissions control equipment after 22 minutes, a straightforward end run around the testing. Remember that the 3.0-liter TDI engines aren't included in the big buyback and recall program announced for the smaller 2.0-liter, four-cylinder TDI engines. The 3.0-liter engines will likely get their own program, but we don't know when to expect it or exactly what it will look like. Last month, California rejected a proposed fix for the larger TDI engines, and VW went back to the drawing board. Since the company is unlikely to create two fixes, one for California and one for the rest of the nation, the company can't really proceed until they figure out a solution California will accept. The EPA hasn't officially commented on the report, and we don't know how Bild am Sonntag came across the information, but we'll be closely watching what emerges after this report. Related Video:

Jerry Seinfeld is selling three rare and valuable Porsches

Jerry Seinfeld, whose car guy status has come to the fore in the post-Seinfeld universe with Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, is selling a few of his Porsches. If you're expecting half-completed restoration candidates or tired old 930s, you're mistaken. What Seinfeld considers excess, most Porsche museums would jump up and down for ... and they might. But they'll have to bid. The three-lot Seinfeld Collection will be the highlight of the Amelia Island Auction by Gooding & Company on March 11th. At the top of the pre-auction estimate heap is a 1955 550 Spyder, one of the most coveted road cars the company made. It could go for $6m or more, and it's an interesting and lovely shade of blue. A seafoam green 1958 356 A GS/GT Carrera Speedster could bring $2.5m, and appears to still be stripped-down and set up for racing, as it would have been originally. And at the bottom of the heap is the 1974 911 Carrera 3.0 IROC RSR once driven by Peter Revson in the famous Roger Penske International Race of Champions. It should bring something north of $1m. Why is Seinfeld selling these rare and desirable Porsches? According to the comedian, it's simply time to send some of his collection "back into the world, for someone else to enjoy, as I have." Fair enough, although with the celebrity name attached to the auction, that enjoyment isn't going to come cheaply. Related Video: Gooding & Company Announces an Unprecedented Offering From the Esteemed Jerry Seinfeld Collection to Headline Amelia Island Auction Three highlights from the collection will be on display at the company's Scottsdale Auctions – the 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder, 1958 Porsche 356 A 1500 GS/GT Carrera Speedster and 1974 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.0 IROC RSR SANTA MONICA, Calif. (January 19, 2015) – Gooding & Company, the auction house acclaimed for selling the world's most significant and valuable collector cars with the tradition of presenting some of the greatest collections to ever come to market, is honored to announce a selection of consignments from The Jerry Seinfeld Collection to be sold at the Amelia Island Auction on March 11, 2016. A sampling of this exceptional collection will feature three historic Porsches at Gooding & Company's annual Scottsdale Auctions marquee beginning January 27, 2016.