1986 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 Sunroof Coupe on 2040-cars

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Porsche Boxster Spyder GT4 under consideration

Apparently, the Porsche Boxster Spyder will not be the ultimate example of the breed, after reports have surfaced indicating that Porsche is considering an even hotter roadster after seeing strong demand for the all-new Cayman GT4. The new lightweight Boxster was just unveiled a few weeks back at the 2015 New York Auto Show, showing a 3.8-liter flat-six, just like the Cayman GT4. It's without a number of GT4-specific components, though. According to Autocar, a Boxster Spyder GT4, if it were built, would benefit from the same 911 GT3-inspired adjustable front suspension, a unique rear suspension, GT3-spec brakes and a new aerodynamic kit. "We are looking at it right now," a source within Porsche told Autocar. "Much of the engineering has already been done for the Cayman, so we think this might be a good direction for us." Related Video:

Watch the incredibly complicated operation of Porsche's new targa roof

Despite Porsche having claimed the name, targa tops are nothing new. In addition to the semi-roofless version of the 911, plenty of cars in the past have used removable roof panels - the new Corvette Stingray has one (as have prior generations), and this type of open-air experience has been available on past vehicles like the Pontiac Solstice Coupe and Honda Civic del Sol.
But when Porsche took the top off its brand new 911 Targa here at the Detroit Auto Show, it was indeed cause for pause. Simply put, this is one of the most complicated and intricate electronic roof panel removal techniques we've ever seen, save perhaps, for the setup found on the Japanese-market Civic del Sol from the 1990s.
We won't spoil the video for you, but basically, rather than just the roof panel coming off, the entire rear glass area lifts away the body in order for the small section over the passenger compartment to slide back. This has to be incredibly expensive to repair once it inevitably breaks. And we highly doubt you'll be able to operate this mechanism at any speed.

Porsche calling in two Cayennes

We regularly see recalls addressing all manner of problems (or potential problems) affecting any number of vehicles: hundreds, thousands, even millions. Some are too small to bother reporting, but once in a while one comes along that's so ridiculously small that we couldn't pass it over. Like this latest one from Porsche. "Due to a manufacturing error," says the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the notice below, "the suspension alignment on the front and rear axles may not have been performed correctly and the screw connections of the camber, toe and caster may not have been tightened with the specified torque." The recall affects the 2015 Cayenne... but just how many of them, you ask? Two. Not two hundred, not two thousand, but two: one Cayenne Diesel and one Cayenne S, manufactured between November 26 and... November 27, 2014. That very well might make this the most methodically German recall in the history of recalls. If you happen to be the owner of one of those two vehicles, expect to hear from Porsche with instructions to bring your Cayenne in to have the suspension re-aligned and the screws tightened. RECALL Subject : Front and Rear Alignment may be Incorrect Report Receipt Date: DEC 29, 2014 NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V824000 Component(s): SUSPENSION Potential Number of Units Affected: 2 Manufacturer: Porsche Cars North America, Inc. SUMMARY: Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain model year 2015 Cayenne Diesel and Cayenne S vehicles manufactured November 26, 2014, to November 27, 2014. Due to a manufacturing error, the suspension alignment on the front and rear axles may not have been performed correctly and the screw connections of the camber, toe and caster may not have been tightened with the specified torque. CONSEQUENCE: If the suspension alignment was incorrectly performed, vehicle handling could be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash. REMEDY: Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will perform a front and rear suspension alignment, and check the screw connections for the proper torque, retightening as necessary, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification date. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AF04. NOTES: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.