1998 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet Convertible Black Premium on 2040-cars

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2015 Porsche Macan Turbo

I knew it was a softball question, but I asked it anyway. It's pretty standard for automakers to offer up some examples of competitors when they invite the media to drive a new vehicle for the first time. If not stated outright, it's just as standard for some journalist to query about the competitive set as soon as the Q&A begins. I knew full well that Porsche believes it has a valuable new niche to itself with the 2015 Macan (and especially with the Macan Turbo), but I wanted to hear the answer to the competitor cars question anyway.
Porsche CEO Matthias Müller didn't hesitate for a second to respond. With a half-smirk appropriate to an executive that is about to launch the (very probably) most profitable and best-selling product in his brand's lineup he chuckled, "Of course, I could be arrogant and say this car has no competitors..."
Arrogant? Well, the grinning Müller certainly didn't give off a humble vibe as he proceeded to count down a list of German and British utility vehicles from various classes that are clearly behind the pace of the Macan in either looks, luxury, or sporting prowess - Range Rover Sport, BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLK among them.

Porsche updates 919 Hybrid racer for 2015 season

Porsche's grand return to the elite level of global endurance racing showed mixed success in its first year. The company did score one victory in the 2014 FIA World Endurance Championship season during the race in Brazil but finished in third place overall among the three factory manufacturers. Porsche is hoping for a few more wins in 2015 and is releasing its first shots of the updated car to achieve those triumphs when things kick off in April. The team's racer is still called the 919 Hybrid, but Porsche promises this second-generation version is a "comprehensive evolution" compared to last year. The most obvious change is the redesigned front end where the styling now features a simple horizontal intake running across the front (compare to 2014, below). The nose area also now flares out to the windshield. The side grows a more complicated look, though, with a series of fins just behind the driver compartment. Porsche isn't divulging many details about anything different under the skin. The 2015 919 is still propelled by a 2.0-liter turbocharged V4, and an electric motor powers the front wheels. There are also two energy recovery systems. In addition to the previous challengers from Audi and Toyota, Porsche has one more competitor in the factory ranks this season. The Nissan GT-R LM Nismo is rumored to be a radical departure from the rest of the field with an engine possibly located in front of the driver. Read the German brand's very brief release about the updated 919 Hybrid below and click through the gallery to see how it looks. Track debut for 2015 Porsche 919 Hybrid Stuttgart. Extensive testing with the second generation of Porsche's Le Mans prototype will begin on January 18, on Abu Dhabi's Yas Marina Circuit. As scheduled, this marks the start of the 2015 motorsport season for the Porsche Team. The new Porsche 919 Hybrid has already had its roll-out on the Weissach test track. As a next step, there will be several performance and endurance tests before the WEC season opener on April 12 in Silverstone, Great Britain. The new Porsche 919 Hybrid is a comprehensive evolution of the successful car that made its debut in 2014. It will feature the same innovative drivetrain concept consisting of a 2-litre V4 turbocharged petrol engine, an electric motor powering the front wheels, and two energy recovery systems. The new generation car had its first roll-out on December 15, 2014.

Ruf Turbo Florio is the Turbo Targa Porsche won't sell you

Porsche offers a staggering array of 911 variants. You can get the Carrera, Carrera S, Carrera GTS, Carrera 4, Carrera 4S, Carrera 4 GTS and Turbo and Turbo S (to say nothing of the GT3 and new GT3 RS). And with few exceptions, you can get each as a coupe, cabrio or Targa. Except you can't get a Turbo Targa. The partial-convertible model tops out at the GTS. But if the one thing you really wanted was a Targa with a turbo engine, the folks over at Ruf will be glad to hook you up with the tuned version you see here. It's called the Ruf Turbo Florio, taking the latter part of its handle from the second part of the Sicilian road race where Porsche got the name for its lift-top in the first place. But Ruf's take doesn't just match the factory Turbo's output – it far exceeds it: with 621 horsepower and 608 pound-feet of torque on tap, it'll put even the 911 Turbo S (on Sport Plus overboost, no less) to shame. Plus you can get it with a six-speed manual or seven-speed DCT, driving all four wheels like the factory Turbo or just the rear set like the GT2 that Porsche doesn't even make any more. It'll top out at 205 miles per hour, and all the while with the wind in your hair – but not too much of it. Related Video: