2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S Dark Blue Metallic on 2040-cars

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Mysterious Porsche 911 Cabriolet spied, could be GTS

While Porsche's designers can jokingly be accused of being some of the laziest in the industry due to the incremental changes to the 911's iconic design, no such charge can be leveled against the engineers and product planning folks. That's because it seems like each week arrives with news of a new variation of the marque's iconic rear-engined sports car. So, for this week, we've brought you images of what we think is the new 911 GTS Cabriolet, undergoing testing in a thawing winter wonderland.
Now, what is it that gives this 911 away, compared to standard convertible? Well, the big thing is the new offset, center-mounted exhausts. Borrowing a page from the last Volkswagen R32, these exhaust tips are unlike anything we've seen from Porsche. Only the GT3 wears center pipes, and unlike these spy photos, the twin pipes on the track-minded 911 are stacked neatly alongside each other. The other change spotted by our spies is the set of active-aerodynamic flaps in the front bumper, which can automatically channel air toward the brakes for increased cooling, or close off to reduce drag, as needed.
Those exhausts are a pretty big design detail, and so far as we can tell is the only differentiator between the other 911s in this car's posse. Our spies speculate that this could be a 911 Speedster, but point out that both the canvas roof and windshield remain unchanged - the rumored Speedster model would almost certainly feature a different roof assembly along with a steeply raked windshield.

Updated J.D. Power APEAL study shines on VW Group, Chevy

J.D. Power has just revealed the results of its 2013 APEAL Study, which looks at which brands have the most appealing cars based on sales figures, dealer inventory, brand loyalty, transaction and trade-in prices. The study was revamped for 2013, and places a larger focus on the new tech and infotainment options available to customers. All told, study participants gauged their vehicles on 77 different attributes, delivering a score out of a 1,000 points.
The Volkswagen Group had the greatest success of any corporation, topping the APEAL rankings with the Audi Allroad, Porsche Boxster, Porsche Cayenne, VW GTI and Passat. Chevrolet had the highest number of awards for a single brand, though, with the Avalanche, Sonic and Volt all taking home a prize.
The best brand overall was Porsche, which scored 884 out of a possible 1,000 points. The top Japanese brand was Lexus with a score of 847, while the top American brand was Cadillac, at 841. The best mainstream brand was Ram, which received a very respectable 817. The industry average for this year's study was 795, with 16 brands, all of which were mainstream, falling below the average.

Porsche rolls out new Macan GTS with 360 horsepower [w/video]

Porsche is expanding both its Macan line and its range of GTS models with the launch of the new Macan GTS. The new performance model slots in between the Macan S and Macan Turbo, packing a mightier punch, upgraded equipment, and sportier styling. The enhancements naturally start under the hood, where the Macan GTS packs a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 good for 360 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. That's 20 more horses than the Macan S but 40 less than the Turbo, driving all four wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The result is a 0-60 time quoted at 5.0 seconds (or 4.8 with the optional Sport Chrono pack) and a top speed of 159 miles per hour. You know, just to stick it to the other German cars that limit themselves to "only" 155. Of course, Porsche didn't just tinker with the engine and leave it at that. Compared to the Macan S, the GTS features a retuned air suspension, recalibrated electronics, ride height lowered by 10 millimeters, and 20-inch wheels with a matte black finish. The interior also benefits from specific sport seats with Alcantara trim, and the new Porsche Communication Management system. There's a new exhaust system and upgraded brakes, as well. The Macan GTS is just the latest such model to join the range, alongside GTS versions of the Boxster, Cayman, 911, Panamera, and Cayenne. While sales of the new Macan GTS start today in its home market, US customers will have to wait until March to place their orders. MSRP is listed at $67,200 (plus destination), pretty evenly splitting the difference between the existing S and Turbo models. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Porsche Macan GTS – Improved Power and Performance Enhanced driving dynamics, enhanced driving fun Atlanta, Georgia. Porsche announces the new Macan GTS. With more power, a reengineered suspension, unique GTS-specific exterior and interior appointments, and new connectivity options, the new Macan GTS provides an enthusiastic driving experience that enhances the current Macan range. Based on the 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine in the Macan S, the Macan GTS incorporates hardware changes and a unique engine calibration to allow the engine to develop 360 hp at 6000 rpm and 369 lb.-ft. of torque between a broad 1650-4000 rpm.