1998 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet on 2040-cars

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A 1985 Ford Escort for $915,000? If it was owned by Princess Diana

What makes a used car worth more than the car itself? If it was owned by John Lennon. Or Muhammad Ali. Michael Schumacher, perhaps, or Stirling Moss. This year’s edition from the Hagerty organization of its “Power List” makes for amusing reading even if youÂ’re not on it. But you can make believe that you are. Essentially, the list, which was launched only last year, tracks the impact of celebrity ownership of a vehicle on its value, as measured by its worth at auction. Nearly 400 sales of celebrity cars and bikes have been analyzed from around the world by Hagerty using market data and “expert” analytics. Hagerty is aware, certainly, that famous folks — from royalty, sports, movies and music — grab gobs of attention from ordinary people. ThatÂ’s why the 2023 Power List comprises these categories: Art Cars, Racing Drivers, Movies and TV, Musicians, Royalty, Screen Stars, Sporting Icons. But you don't have to be a rock star or a F1 pilot to get listed: Princess Diana, besides an Escort Turbo RS that she owned between 1985 and 1988, numbered a convertible 1994 Audi 80 Cabriolet and a Jaguar XJS Cabriolet among her rides. HereÂ’s a look at some of the more notable entries: Racing driver category: In pole position was an unlikely titleholder, a 1976 Ford Bronco. This was the car bought new by legendary Canadian Formula 1 driver Gilles Villeneuve and untouched since his death; it sold at the Aguttes auction in Paris last December for $148,000, a huge 210% increase over the $47,800 that Hagerty would value a regular example in the same condition. Just a note: The list doesnÂ’t include race cars, only vehicles kept privately by the drivers. Musicians: A 1974 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow had been Freddie MercuryÂ’s personal chauffeur-driven transport from 1979 until his death in 1991. Without celebrity ownership, Hagerty would value the Silver Shadow at a lowly $9,500, a car that would take a lot of time, effort and money to restore properly. But add in MercuryÂ’s aura and bids ended at $362,500. “ItÂ’s no surprise that MercuryÂ’s car dominated our Musicians list on the 2023 Hagerty Power List,” the company said. Movies and TV: For those readers now emerging from hibernation since 1968, the news is that the historic Highland Green Mustang from “Bullitt” remains at the top of the Power List for the second year running.

Audi says fixing diesel emission problem is simple

Audi reportedly has a simple repair nearly ready to fix the emissions problem on 85,000 vehicles with the 3.0-liter TDI V6 in the US. "Swift, straightforward and customer-friendly solutions are in discussion," company exec Rupert Stadler told workers in Germany, according to Reuters. In late November, Audi announced that the 3.0 TDI had three previously undisclosed auxiliary emission control devices, including one that was potentially considered a defeat device under US law. At the time, the German automaker claimed it could repair the problem with just a software update. Stadler's statement indicates that just such a simple fix might be on the way. Even before Audi's disclosure of the emission control devices, the Environmental Protection Agency issued a notice of violation against the 3.0-liter TDI for allegedly having software to defeat emissions tests, and the agency later expanded the scope to any vehicle with the engine from 2009 through 2016. The affected models include the Audi A6, A7, A8, Q5, Q7, Volkswagen Touareg, and Porsche Cayenne. New diesel versions of these vehicles have a stop-sale. Audi offered owners of affected vehicles the same $1,000 Goodwill Package that parent company VW offered to its affected diesel owners. The money is split up into a $500 gift card and $500 to spend at the Audi dealer. The package also comes with extended roadside assistance. Audi needs to find a solution quickly because it's under a 45-day deadline from the California Air Resources Board to submit a recall plan for the 15,000 vehicles with the 3.0 TDI in the state. The automaker also must include a report on any effects to fuel economy and performance from the proposed repair. Related Video:

Porsche 718 Cayman gets new turbocharged engines

When Porsche revealed the new 718 Boxster, it appeared a matter of time before the Cayman would receive the same treatment. That time has come. The Cayman is like the 718 Boxster, but with a fixed roof, and both models are now aligned under the same number plate. The biggest change over the outgoing Cayman is the arrival of turbocharged power. In place of the 2.7- and 3.4-liter atmospheric boxer sixes in the previous model, the new 718 Cayman offers a choice of turbo fours: a 2.0-liter unit in the base model good for 300 horsepower, and a 2.5 in the S version with 350 hp on tap – just like in the latest Boxster. Smaller, both the new turbo engines bring increases of 25 hp over the naturally aspirated engines they replace. Torque goes up along with it – by 67 pound-feet in the base model to 280, and by 37 lb-ft in the Cayman S to 309. The extra muscle translates to a 0-to-60 time as low as 4.5 seconds for the 718 Cayman, or 4.0 flat for the 718 Cayman S, with top speeds clocked at 170 and 177 miles per hour, respectively. Of course, there's more to the new 718 coupe than what can be found under the engine bay. Porsche has retuned the suspension, tightened the steering rack, widened the rear wheels, and enlarged the brakes. It's all wrapped in new bodywork and operated from a refreshed interior. US deliveries are set to commence in November, with prices starting at $54,950 (including the destination fee) for the base model and $67,350 for the S model. Those are just starting points, with key options like the Sport Chrono pack, torque vectoring, and active suspension promising to inflate those figures as rapidly as the new Cayman will cover ground. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Poised for precision: The new 2017 Porsche 718 Cayman Mid-engine sports coupe with new turbocharged flat-four cylinder engines and enhanced suspension Atlanta, Georgia. Today Porsche announces the new 718 Cayman models. Following the debut of the new 718 Boxster, the new 718 Cayman complements the roadster in the mid-engine model line-up. This third generation of the mid-engine sports coupe has a more striking and athletic appearance, and for the first time, the coupe is priced below the roadster. The new turbocharged flat-four cylinder engines from the 718 Boxster power the 718 Cayman, making the power output identical for both models.