1979 Porsche 911 Sc on 2040-cars

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Porsche planning more plug-ins

Which automaker offers the most plug-in models in the industry? The answer may surprise you, because it's not Toyota, it's not Renault or Nissan or any other automaker that might spring to mind. The answer is Porsche, which already offers the Cayenne and Panamera in plug-in hybrid spec in addition to the 918 Spyder. And it could offer more in the near future. Speaking with Automotive News, Porsche's global sales and marketing chief Bernhard Maier spoke of the importance of plug-in range-extended models to the company's future plans. The 55-year-old executive, who endeavors to make his 56-mile round-trip daily commute from home to the company's headquarters in Stuttgart entirely emissions free, indicated that his company only plans to offer more plug-in models. Previous reports indicated that E-Hybrid powertrain in the Cayenne and Panamera wouldn't fit in the Macan, and that no such plans were in store for the Boxster, Cayman or 911. But when asked what Porsche had in store for the future, Maier replied: "We have a lot of ideas, but we have not approved them for production yet. The 918 Spyder shows that Porsche has the capability to produce very convincing hybrid sports cars." While clearly guarded, Maier's answer points to a future of more plug-in hybrid models from the storied German marque. All that remains to be seen is whether that will come in the form of a Boxster, Cayman, Macan or another new model altogether, like the rumored mini-Panamera dubbed Pajun or a mid-engined V8 supercar.

Porsche CEO Matthias Mueller throws hat back in ring for VW CEO job

Toward the end of February it got leaked that Porsche CEO Matthias Muller was being promoted to Volkswagen's supervisory board. Muller's credentials and his success over 36 years at the VW Group have, for observers, put his name in the pool of potential candidates to succeed current group CEO Martin Winterkorn when Winterkorn retires in two years. But the 61-year-old Muller told German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung earlier in February, "It's no solution to put a 63-year-old at the head of Volkswagen," and the statement was taken to mean he wasn't considering the job. Muller now says the quote was misunderstood. In a report in Automotive News, the newly minted board member says he was commenting on what it would mean for the supervisory board and the Group if they nominated a 63-year-old to replace a 69-year-old - that it wouldn't result in a "generation change." However, if that's what they choose to do, Muller feels great: "I stand ready to take over any assignment," he said. Muller's name re-enters the candidacy pool, but we still have no idea who leads the running for the role and Winterkorn isn't saying a word. It could be three years before we know: Winterkorn's contract concludes at the end of next year but there is speculation he'll re-up for two years to see out the end of the Strategy 2018 initiative.

2017 Porsche 718 Boxster: Old name, modern performance

Porsche set the bar pretty high when it attached the number 718 to the new Boxster. The original Porsche 718 Spyder from the late '50s and early '60s remains one of the most iconic in the company's history. Nameplates aside, the biggest change to the new 718 Boxster can be found under the rear deck. That's where Zuffenhausen has embraced the latest trend in downsizing and turbocharging. In place of the previous naturally-aspirated flat-sixes, the new 718 packs a 2.0-liter turbo boxer four good for 300 horsepower, or a 2.5-liter version with 350 hp. They're smaller than the engines they replace, but also more powerful – and offer a significant improvement in torque as well. The result is a 0-60 time as low as 4.0 seconds – in what's long been considered the "junior" Porsche sports car. Of course Porsche didn't just swap the engines out and call it a day. The styling has been updated inside and out, and there's new equipment as well. The finished product will go on sale in April – but that's in Europe where it's been unveiled today at the Geneva Motor Show. It'll hit US dealers in June, and we can look forward to a 718 Cayman version with a fixed roof to follow soon as well. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.